Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Gallegos.
Ashley, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
There wasn’t a long period of me sort of questioning myself or curious as to what I should try to obtain and achieve within my life. I’ve always known that ultimately, my goal is to inspire and allow people to feel something through whatever it may be that I found myself doing. For a while, I thought I wanted to be an actress, and then I wanted to become a film director and then cinematographer (can you tell I did high school theater and then studied media arts?) and it was sort of in between all of this in which I developed my love of photography into something much more grand. I’ve had cameras at the touch of my fingertips ever since I was little all thanks to my parents. More specifically, my dad would always document my family with a polaroid, disposable camera, or camcorder so I believe he definitely had a huge impact on me and why I feel so deeply passionate about photography and cameras in the way that I do.
Since then, we’ve had a couple of digital cameras my family would share and I was always fascinated by them but it truly wasn’t until I think about 2014 when photography became something so much more special to me than it had ever been. I was at a Haim concert and got some shots and videos that changed how I viewed and felt about photography. Going through my photos later that night was when I felt the gratitude and honesty that can come from capturing a moment through a camera. Pretty soon after, I saved up a few paychecks from my job at the time and bought myself my first camera. It was a simple canon point-and-shoot camera but I was extremely proud and excited to own it. (Fun fact: I still have that camera but it’s recently been acting up so I think we’re getting closer to its final months. R.I.P.) As soon as I got it, I took that as an open invitation to take photos of pretty much anything whether it be concerts, high school events, family members, friends, self-portraits, landscapes, etc.
As I navigated my first year of college, I was trying to practice photography more and more and ended up getting the role of behind-the-scenes photographer on the set of a short film through the university’s short film club. That experience alone really did push me out of my comfort zone and led me to continue actively seeking positions and opportunities as a photographer. I also began emailing numerous outlets asking if any photographer positions were available – most of the time I would get no replies. However, in my sophomore year, I was put in touch with one of the marketing coordinators at a label and was soon enough given my first photo pass to a show. Fast forward to my junior year of college, I applied and got the position of staff photographer for North Texas Daily which was the university’s student-ran newspaper. Through my position there, I was met with assignments that genuinely led me to where I am now. I was able to photograph some of my first music and film festivals, learn more about my own craft and photojournalism/journalism as well, and develop amazing friendships and connections. It can be difficult to say what exactly has led me to where I am now because truthfully, it’s been a combination of numerous opportunities, positions, special moments, people, and my love for just doing what I do.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Oh, I’d be lying if I said it’s been a smooth road. As I was navigating college, I was faced with the question of whether I should be studying media arts or photography. It seems like a simple question, I know, but I am also the kind of person who sometimes over analyzes choices in my life and this was one of those. I was genuinely afraid of switching majors because I knew I was in love with film while also being afraid that switching to study solely photography would change the way I felt about it. Along with this, it can still be a bit scary sometimes thinking about the (financial/job) uncertainty of being a freelancer as well. Despite these things though, I am absolutely in love with what I do and it makes up for all the frightened feelings. Fortunately, I also have a great support system around me who supports who I am and what I do with no hesitations.
Please tell us about Ashley Gallegos/Ashley Gallegos Photography – what should we know?
I feel like if you asked someone who knows me and my business, they would say I am known for my concert photography. I attend lots of shows and am always trying to get shots whether I am there on assignment or for my own enjoyment so that does tend to be a lot of what I post on social media. To put it simply, I am a photographer. Photography is such a special and intimate medium and the industry is only growing larger which is thrilling but to me, it also means that I must have and keep a clear vision of what I want my photography to do: inspire and make people feel something in some sort of way.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
People who deserve credit are of course my family, friends, and those who genuinely like and support myself and my work. I know that many times people who are into/work in the arts have people around them that don’t exactly support them or their choices which makes me upset because so many, if not all, are usually insanely talented and have such an adoration and distinct vision for their craft. My family has always been openly supportive of myself and what I do and I can’t thank them enough for not thinking I am out of my mind to pursue something like this. My friends are massive supporters of mine as well. They’ve never made their belief in me go unheard and that is incredibly encouraging. This includes friends from home, those I’ve made from my major/college, and those I’ve made from my time as a photographer at North Texas Daily. Something that always makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside is the fact that there are people who I’ve never even met before that like my work. I usually thank them and let them know that their words mean a lot to me which sounds incredibly cliché but it’s true. For me, support is a huge component of life that has helped me in so many ways so I’m not even sure if it’s humanly possible to give these people the amount of credit they deserve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleygallegos.site/
- Email: ashleygallegosphoto@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agallegosphoto/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AshleyGallegosphoto/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/agallegosphoto
Image Credit:
All photos by Ashley Gallegos
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