We were lucky to catch up with Ashleigh Long recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashleigh thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

It hasn’t always been easy and it’s definitely taken years to build the clientele base that I have now. However, I do feel I was able to build my business significantly faster than most for several reasons. I think the biggest one being that I put human connection before a dollar amount. I say this to so many of the people that I mentor, but it’s really been a big part of my business strategy. Money will follow you so long as your clients emotional needs are met first. This doesn’t mean doing this in a “fake” way. It needs to be genuine. But learning to develop an emotional connection with my clients is a big part of why I book the sessions that I do. I get to know my clients, ask them personal questions, find out their likes and dislikes long before we ever talk prices or book their session. Sometimes in the midst of asking these things you find out intimate things about them. They become vulnerable with you. All of this plays such a key part in how their photos turn out. It allows them to open up to you and be themselves in front of the camera. I use this to help guide their photos to tell a story specific to them. But like I said, before we ever talk prices, I get to know my clients and find out the inner workings of who they are and what their purpose is and what their goals are for their photo session. I truly believe because I put this above money that I have found success in my business. I’ve done a lot of sessions for free solely based on these consults with my clients before their sessions. to find out that someone in their family is dying of cancer and this is might be their last session before that person passes. I was put on this earth to provide a service and provide an income for my family. But what good is my talent if I don’t give back to those in need when I can? Sometimes doing things for others just because you want to, with no ulterior motive, and not because you need to, says so much more about a person. I find myself more times than not giving to others than taking from them. Over delivering on my promises. I truly believe that this is why my business has grown in the way that it has. And all the years I’ve been doing photography (since 2003) i’ve never once had a website, or at least a functioning one. Everything I’ve ever done in my business has been through word of mouth. I think that speaks volumes in a service industry. So long as you’re always putting human connection before filling your pockets, you will become wealthy in more ways than one. Financial stability will follow. It might take time, but I promise if you take the bottom dollar out of your business and focus on providing a service and a connection, your business will grow at a steady and rewarding pace all while never burning out. You will never feel like you are “working” a day in your life.

Ashleigh , 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?

Do you remember as children our parents telling us we could be anything we wanted to be and to reach for the stars. That this world is our oyster and anything we put our mind to is possible? I know I remember hearing that as a kid all too often. I even tell my own son the same thing now.

But when did it not become a truth anymore? When did it become OK to tell our children one thing, yet as they get older change our tune and tell them otherwise. Why pump our impressionable children full of false promises just to turn around and tell them that isn’t the case when they grow up. I refuse to be that way with my son. I want him to know that if he dreams big enough anything is possible. That his dreams and goals in life are safe with me. That no matter how big or small, I will always stand beside him.

I fell victim of this exact same model that we grew up with. If I had listened to those closest to me I wouldn’t be where I am today. Do you know how many times I heard Hair, makeup, and Photography are just a hobby and that I needed to get a real job?

in 2003, I was going to college to be a high school English teacher. Some thing I was very passionate about at the time. But not as passionate as I was about cosmetology and photography. I was constantly told you need a “real job” one with medical benefits, a retirement, a 401(k), sick pay, and vacation pay. That was imbedded into my brain by the time I was a young adult. That unless I had a college degree I wouldn’t amount to anything. while in college I decided to take photography as my elective. I already had such a passion for it, but immediately fell even more in love with it while in school. 3 years into my degree, I decided I really wanted to be a hair stylist. So during the day I went to cosmetology School and night I was taking college classes to finish out the semester. I used my photography to help make a living while I was still in school. that’s when I really started to grow both my businesses. I slowly realized they complimented one another. Hair, Makeup, and Photography all go seamlessly together.

I’m living proof that needing a “real job”, whatever that might be, is absolutely false. And although I wish I had finished the last two years of my degree just so I could say I have finished it, I don’t regret the path I took instead.

It hasn’t always been easy, but I can genuinely say I never feel like I’m having to work a day in my life. I love the freedom and flexibility that my careers have given me as a mother and my family. The ability to create art and connect with people on such an intimate level is beyond the most rewarding thing I could do. I’m here to tell you anything IS possible. The risk is worth it.

“REACH FOR THE STARS you might just be lucky enough to land on the moon”

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had known about mentorships. I think it’s so important to find the direction you want you business to go, make a solid business model for yourself, a 1 year, 5 year, and 10 year plan. and then find a mentor to help you execute those things. I didn’t know that existed, or maybe when I got started it didn’t yet. But business coaches and mentors are huge now. and I think it’s so important to find someone, work with them, and learn along the way. take the time to assist and intern AS OFTEN as your can. you will likely get free on the job training. that could eventually lead you to paid jobs all while allowing you to build your portfolio. INVEST in you education. internships and mentorships are not cheap, but worth it. sometimes you can find someone that will let you shadow them for free. take on as much of that as you can. expect devoting 2 years to assisting, second shooting, or shadowing photographers before you actually develop a work flow and strong portfolio.

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

The most rewarding part of my career is watching families grow year after year. Photographing a wedding, only to have them come back when they get pregnant for maternity photos and then there after newborn photos and family photos and the cycle continues. I love watching children and parents row year after year. Watching their bond and their connections with one another evolve over time.

I love being able to create works of art that will last these families a lifetime and some. their grandchildren will have the photos to look back on and remember such special times in there lives. they are keep sakes that I get to be a part of. and knowing they trust me with some of the most intimate times in their lives is such a compliment.

I know I said this multiple times now, but I truly do this because I love deep human connection. And I believe I am where I am today because I pour 100% of my self into everyone of my clients. I’ve had to learn to set healthy boundaries because sometimes I pour so much into my work that my family takes the backseat certain times of year (busy season). Finding that work home life balance can often be challenging. But I can say without a doubt I absolutely love what I do for a living. I love meeting new people. Connecting with new and old clients. And often times making lasting friendships when it’s all said and done. And that truly is the most rewarding part of my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashleighlong.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleighlongphotography
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/ashleighlongphotography
• Yelp: https://yelp.to/FqVxXZTvvtb