Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Huff.
Ashlee, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Everything began with little a polaroid camera, a box of dress-up clothes, and my first (and very patient) dog, Abby. At 5 years old, I’d set up shoots in my flower-covered childhood bedroom, pick out the perfect outfit for my pup, and snap away. In middle school, I recruited my friends to come to the farm where I grew up and model for me (and yes, there were tractors involved as set pieces in far too many of these photos). I got my first professional camera in high school and booked my first paid gig during my freshman year of college.
Over those first few years of owning my business, I was taking any and every job I could in an effort to really build out my portfolio. Word of advice for anyone who is just starting out- that’s actually a very dangerous game. Pretty soon, I hit one of those dreaded creative ruts. I’d spent so much time on jobs I wasn’t truly invested in that I’d forgotten to create for myself. After graduating from college, I took a step back, met some new friends that pushed me creatively, and truly fell into my place as an artist.
Today, I love working with agencies and companies doing fashion portraits and commercial work. At the end of the day though, I’m still true to my roots- my rescue Labradoodle Marlow is hands down my favorite photo subject.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I’m a photographer by trade, but people are truly my biggest passion.
Coming from a career background in ethical and conscious consumerism (think slow fashion, artisan-made products, fair trade companies, etc.), I’ve always been hyper-aware of the way people are treated in this world. We need less judgment and abuse, and more kindness and love. My personal mantra is “make people feel like art.” Yes, that applies to the photos you take of them, but I think there are more layers to it than that. For those few hours that someone is shooting with me, I want them to feel valued for who they are as a person underneath all of the fancy clothes and props. We’ll share childhood stories, bad jokes, and big thoughts about the universe and our place in it (my personal favorite). When I can connect with someone on that level during a shoot, I feel like I’m bringing so much fellowship and love into the world with my art. And I think that’s a big part of what keeps me going.
My hope is that my photos will help others see the beauty in one another, and feel the inherent beauty within themselves. I want to inspire others to capture real life moments with emotion and to push themselves enough artistically to create some moments that are new. It’s amazing what extraordinarily beautiful relationships you can form with others while going through life with a camera in hand.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
Definitely comparison. In today’s tech-centered age, I think a lot of people feel forced to constantly perform in order to keep up. We look at other peoples’ lives online and feel dissatisfied with where we are. Consequently, people start to follow these popular trends in an effort to get more “likes.” We’re self-absorbed in that we feel we deserve this recognition, but insecure because we can never quite measure up to the next best person. This can really kill an artist’s urge to create.
My advice for anyone struggling with this is to create for yourself first. Create because you love the process, no matter the result. Make comparisons with yourself only- this is how you’ll grow and improve your craft. Put your art out into the world and be proud, no matter what the response is. With this bold and unashamed self-expression, you’re sure to inspire others to do the same.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
You might occasionally stumble upon my work in magazines, on websites, and in stores displays, but the easiest way to find my photos would be through my website or Instagram!
I’m always looking for like-minded business and individuals to collaborate with. Feel free to get in touch and let’s create something beautiful!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashleehuffphotography.com
- Email: ashleehuffphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleehuff
Image Credit:
All photos are by me!
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
