Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Linea Broadus. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Linea, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I can’t narrow it down to one project, however, through multiple projects I have gotten a glimpse of the impact photography can have on people’s lives. When I first started doing weddings, engagements and portraits, I appreciated how photography can freeze that special moment in time to be enjoyed and cherished for years to come. What I didn’t consider when I first started was the impact it would have when a family has lost a loved one. I’ve worked on projects such as a first day of life photoshoot where I photographed a family with their new baby the day he was born. Unexpectedly, the baby passed away a couple days later due to a heart condition. The family reached out to me to express their gratitude for the pictures because it was the only pictures they had of him. Similarly, I had a family portrait session recently where the dad passed away from cancer a week later, and they were so grateful to have one last family portrait with him before he passed. It reminds me how photography is a means to document life at all of its stages, allowing people to celebrate pivotal times in their lives as well as remember those they have lost.

Linea, 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 own Ashton Lane Photography, specializing in lifestyle portraiture, personal branding and events. I am known for capturing authentic moments that can be cherished for years to come. Photo sessions can be stressful or feel forced, but my goal as a photographer is to make it feel as natural as possible so that the moments captured on camera are a genuine representation of each family, couple, person, and brand I work with. For personal branding, my goal is to help business owners represent their brand as well as themselves, and grow the business they love. I offer different packages for photo sessions as well as products such as albums, prints, metal prints, and canvases.

My passion for photography began at the age of 14 when my parents gifted me with my first SLR camera.  I was instantly hooked.  This love for photography has only gotten stronger as I have used photography to document my travels (I have lived abroad on three different occasions) and eventually I decided to turn this passion into a career. In 2009, I started my first photography business specializing in weddings and portraiture and it has evolved over the years to my business today, Ashton Lane Photography.

Some of my passions outside of photography include dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I have danced competitive ballroom for several years and now I both teach ballroom dancing as well as go out social dancing, with salsa, bachata, and west coast swing being some of my favorite dances. I also love to travel (both for work and personal trips!) and have lived abroad in Vienna, Scotland, and London. And many weekends you can find me hanging out with my two nieces; being an aunt is the best!

Does your business have multiple or supplementary revenue streams (like a ATM machine at a barbershop, etc)?

One big lesson I’ve learned as an entrepreneur is to have multiple revenue streams. This is especially important when considering there are so many curve balls that can be thrown your way that may limit or cut off one source of revenue (i.e., the pandemic, changes in laws, algorithms, market shifts, etc.). I learned early on that it’s helpful to diversify your services and offerings. I’m not saying not to niche down, but you can niche down each offering while also providing multiple services. One of the reasons I love photography is that there are so many different avenues I can pursue which has allowed me to diversify my business and incorporate multiple revenue streams. Currently, I do this through portraiture, branding, and events.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

When I first started my career in photography, it was at a time when YouTube and Instagram were just starting out and online courses weren’t popular yet. I found it challenging as a new photographer and entrepreneur to get guidance and find resources to hone my craft and start my business. I also found at the time that other photographers were not always willing to share their knowledge of the industry, almost as if they were afraid of allowing in more competition. Over the past 16 years, I’ve been blown away how many educational resources have since come out in forms of YouTube videos, social media posts, blogs, and online courses. This has been pivotal in my creative journey as I’ve developed my skills as a photographer and business owner.

One thing I wish I would have pursued more earlier on in my career is finding a mentor. I reached out to other photographers for general advice but it wasn’t till later on in my career that I dedicated the time to finding a mentor. Having a mentor has been a game changer for me and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AsthonLanePhotography.com
• Instagram: @AshtonLanePhotography

Image Credits

Ashton Lane Photography