We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ash Dunn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ash below.

Alright, Ash thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Timberline is the point on a mountain where air is too thin for trees to grow; standing at about 11,500 feet in the US. However, humans can go above timberline for (sometimes brief) lengths of time. I have been above timberline dozens of times throughout my life thus far, and the feeling I got was one of magic, and beauty, Power. Knowing that I could be where even trees cannot grow makes one feel something.

There are passes that take you above timberline, such as Mount Evans near Idaho Springs, Colorado, the highest paved road in the state at 14,130 feet. Guenella Pass near Georgetown, Colorado, standing at 11,670 feet. And our very own, Timberline Pass, standing above 11,000 feet, and shows views of the Continential Divide, Longs Peak, and Forest Canyon. One of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

Ash, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Ash, and I am a self-made professional photographer, and have been for 5 years! I have taught myself everything I know, from how to shoot photos that become art pieces, to editing those photos post-production. I’ve also been teaching myself the social media, marketing and business sides of running a photography business! And a little videography here and there!

I got into this craft from my father and grandfather. Both were never professionals, but were camera enthusiasts. My grandfather told me stories of taking his camera out onto the fields of Germany during the Korean Conflict, and we have videos of him interviewing strangers on the streets, just for fun! My dad always had his cameras pointed at me growing up, at every camping trip, family gathering, and at home. Both of them inspired me to pick up my own camera, but I wanted to take it a bit further and make income off of it too!

I believe what sets me apart from others is my passion and dedication, and willingness to take photos that may not gain enough attention on social media. I don’t compromise the photos I want to take for fear of how well it will do with others. And I provide that confidence to my clients who book with me. I want to take photos that are living art; that make the subject(s) feel beautiful in their skin.

I am most proud of the fact that I have taught myself everything I know. While I do wish to go to school to learn additional information, I have become a self-made professional in my own right. Through years of hard work, dedication, failures and successes. Learning and growing with the support of my friends at my side.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a photographer is when people love the work I’ve done for them. I have shot weddings, animals, couples, little ones, and people. When they see the preview of the image on my camera screen, or the post-production finished project and love it, I am filled with so much joy!

Making people feel beautiful in their skin is a huge driving factor for me. And providing people with glorious images of them and their animals, to have for a lifetime of bond and love, is inspiring to me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resiliency follows me like a puppy. During my life I have burned down and rose up like a phoenix, by surviving times of trauma, lost friendships, betrayal and heartbreak. The same can be said for my business.

In 2019, years worth of memories, hard work and artwork was stripped away when both my main computer and my external hard drive crashed. By the time I got my work recovered, over half was completely lost, or corrupted. It was heartbreaking and for about a year I struggled to find motivation to pick up my camera, or sort through the mess that was now my artwork.

But over a years worth of hard work later, I managed to organize my lost files, and pick up my camera again. I have rebuilt what was lost, and then some.

No matter what setbacks life throws at us, we must rise up and fight back. Loss happens in so many capacities, more than losing someone close to you. It’s what you do with that loss, and learn from it, that makes who you are as a person. It shows what you’re made of.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.timberlinepassphotography.com
• Instagram: timberline.pass
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/timberlinepass

Image Credits
Timberline Pass Photography