Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Tluchak.
Hi Ashley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hey there, I’m the owner of Noelle Narrative LLC, specializing in photography and content creation. My journey started in my childhood. Many of my family members have a creative, entrepreneurial spirit, and my upbringing has played a significant role.
My father immigrated from Mexico to America in his 20s. After he and my mother married, they worked hard while building their careers and raising children. My mother was a stylist on the side and used to design and sell clothes at one point. My father has always been handy, technically savvy and involved in extra projects.
While I was growing up, my father usually had a camera in his hands at family gatherings. I remember watching him capture all the small yet significant moments and feeling inspired to learn. In high school, I decided to pick up a camera and started taking photographs for family and friends. Initially, it was a creative outlet; however, people continued asking me to photograph them over the years.
I graduated from the University of North Texas, where I double majored in photojournalism and psychology. In addition to a busy course load in college, I worked part-time doing freelance photography, including weddings. I had several mentors and teachers who were experts in their fields along the way. After graduation, I followed the photojournalism route and started working in social media and digital marketing. I incorporated and built upon my knowledge and skills in writing, editing, blogging, content strategy, and development. Soon, this evolved into a decade-long career in marketing communications.
During my communications career, I flourished as a seasoned writer and storyteller. I had fantastic opportunities come my way — from working with innovative household names to small, growing businesses. My favorite part was I could unleash many of the creative gifts God gave me. Although I was passionate about my work then, I knew I wanted to focus entirely on my business at some point in my career.
In 2019, my husband and I were thrilled to find out we were expecting our first child. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States. People with children know the transition to becoming a first-time parent can be challenging — and navigating pregnancy to first-time motherhood during an early pandemic was a unique experience.
The weight of the pandemic demanded more of all of us. At the time, I was working full-time in communications in the tech industry. As the precious child in my belly developed, I experienced pregnancy through lockdowns, a remote work shift, pandemic response work, and increased working hours. I worked until maternity leave and had our firstborn in the summer of 2020.
Becoming a mother made me reevaluate my career and switch up the script. In 2021, I decided to leave a successful corporate career. A few months later, I formed Noelle Narrative LLC. My business name is a meaningful nod to a family name and my faith, which shapes my lens around work.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Does anything worth having ever involve a smooth road? One challenge since the beginning was juggling corporate life by day and freelance work by night/on the weekends. Learning to “keep the main things, the main things” in life — my non-negotiables — has been a journey.
Another challenge was knowing when to leave the corporate world. After I returned from maternity leave, continued remote work was a blessing as a new mom. I had a career I enjoyed alongside creative, brilliant minds. However, I was feeling uninspired professionally and experiencing personal challenges. My daughter was quickly growing before my eyes, which ultimately gave me the final push to leave and focus on my business.
I’m very grateful to say I now have a career I love, where I can prioritize my family and be a mother, one of my most important job titles in life!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Noelle Narrative LLC specializes in photography and content creation. I help people and brands tell their stories visually and through words. My clients include families, mothers, entrepreneurs, brands and organizations.
The art of storytelling fuels my creative direction. I also work with people and partner with brands that share similar values. As an artist, I like to get to know my clients because it helps me share their stories, and I care about them as people. I’m proud of the inspiration for my work: my children and family.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
There is always room to grow and evolve. I’m constantly researching as part of my work for content clients and tapping into resources to grow personally and professionally. As an artist, I regularly draw inspiration from music and other creatives. I read daily and listen to many health podcasts, interviews featuring bright minds, diverse perspectives, and faith-based podcasts.
Contact Info:
- Website: NoelleNarrative.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noellenarrativephoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noellenarrative
Image Credits
Lane Gray Photography
Daniel McDonald
