Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Wright.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning, and we can move on from there.
I was always interested in photography. For as long as I can remember I have had a camera in my hand, either taking videos or posing my friends and family for “THE SHOT.” My aunt was a professional photographer, and she let me work with her every spring break. I learned Photoshop when I was 14 years old and started editing everything I was shooting.
I joined the yearbook and web design classes in high school where I expanded my knowledge and became more aware of all of the software I would go on to use in my career. When I graduated high school, I just KNEW that I would continue to college and get my degree in photography. We all know how plans go, and before I knew it I was driving to Ohio with my car fully loaded to be with the love of my life, whom I just met in an online music forum…..
THANK GOODNESS that worked out better than the show Catfish (lol). We have now been happily married for almost ten years. I attended college for a while in Akron, Ohio but ended up dropping out when I was trying to conceive our first child. That sweet little girl was my inspiration to pick my camera back up and start shooting again. I found myself in the wonderful world of YouTube mommy vlogging and started taking pictures for a few friends on the side.
Eventually, my sweet husband agreed to move us back to Ohio (after lots of pleading from friends and family), and we lived temporarily with my best friend, who just so happened also to be a photographer! To repay her for letting us stay with her I would second shoot weddings and help assist on other shoots. My passion continued to grow, and in 2013, I started my own business.
If you ask me how I grew my business from $50 photoshoots at the park in the midday sun to where I am today, I honestly couldn’t tell you. I can see the hand of God in every area of my life, but this particular season, He really showed off. By 2015, I had more clients that I knew what to do with, and I quickly had to learn the word no. I was overwhelmed and overjoyed all at the same time.
It was then that we had also decided to start our journey to baby number two and that eventually lead us to foster care. We now have six beautiful children, five girls, and one boy, and they all continue to inspire me to find the beauty in everything. I am so incredibly proud of how far I have come in my journey, and I am so excited to see what lies ahead for AWP.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
From hard drive failure to “bridezillas.” I have seen and heard it all. Photography is NOT for the faint of heart. When you are pouring EVERYTHING into your work, and someone doesn’t like it, it is just soul-crushing. I have had to learn to let things go and move forward. For every grumpy client, there are two hundred more, overjoyed with their images.
Finding a good balance between being a business owner to wife and mom/foster mom is TOUGH. From the time I wake up until the wee hours of the morning, I am going non stop. Caseworker visits, attorney ad items, CASA, biological parent visits, court, two sessions a day, editing, messages…. it never ends.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I shoot everything from weddings to births and everything in between. I love to travel for destination weddings. I would say that my most know work is with children. I love to create magic for families to cherish forever. Timeless images that won’t go out of style are what I strive for. I think that my colorful and clean editing style sets me apart from other photographers.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success to me is making sure my family is well taken care of. They ALWAYS come first. As a family of eight, that means so much more now. This business is my livelihood. And it’s not so bad when someone says “are you THE Ashley Wright?!” That is pretty much the greatest feeling in the world.
Pricing:
- Sessions starting at $400
- Wedding packages from $2000+
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ashley-wright.com
- Phone: 9034498087
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleywrightphotographytx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleywrightphotography/
Image Credit:
Kristin LaRue Photography, Casey Holly Photography
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