We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Rego recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Photography always been a hobby for me. I never thought I could pursue it professionally up until a few years ago. Perhaps I have always had the desire, I was just not aware I had the drive until recently. The first job I ever had was in a restaurant bussing tables. There was nothing wrong with the job itself and I still have the upmost respect for food service workers. I just recall many moments where I felt like I was not using my creative abilities to my greatest potential and did not feel satisfied in life. My job at the restaurant would then get in the way of these creative endeavors I had, and I was unable to be fully present while working. A little over a year ago, I decided to leave this job to focus on myself and my photography. I am now actively trying to pursue it as a long-term career

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m originally from Pismo Beach, which is on the central coast of California. I’ve been a photographer for about 4 years now and I started out just photographing friends for fun. I went to college straight after high school and took photo classes to further my knowledge about the technical aspects of photography. I took a break from college after a year of attending to focus on my mental health and during this break, I decided I wanted to take my photography more seriously. I then looked into programs that would help foster that. Inspired by Nan Goldin and Wolfgang Tillmans, I’m drawn to making photographs that document lived experiences amongst my peers. Within my work, I’m exploring the idea of substances and the escapism that happens within these underground spaces. It’s a scene of anonymous camaraderie meeting at the crossroads of the dance floor and the secular world of sobriety.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Feeling a sense of accomplishment in my work is one of the most important things for me in whatever I pursue. The most rewarding thing I have found through creating is being able to reflect on a physical manifestation of my feelings and hard work through the images I create. My photographs serve as a record of the mental battles I have overcome, the positive times I wish to remember, and are overall further conversations I would like to start for observers. It is a way of getting almost instant visual feedback for the creative choices I make in camera.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Something many non-creatives maybe don’t understand is that I do not do this as a career because I have to. If I was in it for the money, there are many other fields I would’ve looked into long before photography. Being able to create is a privilege and something I have been fortunate enough to pursue despite it generating little financial gain thus far. There are still many people who do not view photography as a creative art form. I have heard photographers referred to as people who just “push a button” and this couldn’t be further from the truth. I pour my heart and soul into my art in hopes that it will even just reach one person on a deeper level.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @assleysnegatives

Image Credits

Personal photo taken by Isaiah Ryan @Slothkiiid on Instagram