We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Boyd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always been a creative soul. Making things—crafting, painting, creating—has always been the way I feel most human. For the past 12 years I’ve been an art teacher, and for the last four I’ve had the joy of teaching photography.
I took photography back in high school, but like many of us, life moved forward and the details faded. Then I began teaching it… and suddenly it all came rushing back, like riding a bike I didn’t realize I missed. The more I taught, the more I fell in love with the craft all over again. I wanted more—more learning, more shooting, more chances to create something that meant something.
When I realized that God had given me this talent, and that I could not only share it but also support myself through it, the decision to open Ashley Boyd Photography became clear. I am endlessly grateful for my incredible village in Cypress, TX—so many people trusted me in those early days, and because of them my business has grown beyond what I ever imagined.
Balancing teaching, coaching, running a business, and being a single mom isn’t easy. But every time I press the shutter and watch that moment turn into magic on the screen, I’m reminded why I do it. I know I’m capturing memories—real, meaningful, once-in-a-lifetime memories—for families, couples, parents, and seniors. And that makes every bit of the journey worth it.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
One thing that truly sets me apart as a photographer is my personality. I’m a people person through and through. After working with students for the last 12 years, I’ve learned how to get genuine smiles out of even the toughest teenagers. Sometimes all it takes is throwing out a random “6/7” or telling them they’ve got “rizz”—they cringe, they laugh, and suddenly the walls come down.
I also pride myself on making families feel comfortable, no matter what unique challenges they may face. I’m not only a mom, but a mom to an amazing autistic son. Because of this beautiful gift of a child, I deeply understand—and have tremendous patience and compassion for—neurodivergent kids and adults I meet.
When my son Gunnar was first diagnosed, another mom of an autistic child told me to give up on the idea of ever having a “perfect” family photo. And she was right, in a way—maybe I didn’t get the magazine-worthy image I once imagined. But what I did capture were photos that showed my kids exactly as they are, especially my son. Real. Honest. Beautiful.
That’s what sets me apart today. I want to capture who you and your family truly are. Even if that means your autistic child needs to hold an iPad to stay calm. Even if things don’t look “Pinterest perfect.” That’s life—and those are the moments worth remembering.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
I’ve been able to grow my clientele by delivering an experience families genuinely enjoy. My sessions are fun, relaxed, and painless—even for the dads who get dragged along! Because families leave their sessions smiling, they keep coming back year after year and happily recommend me to their friends and loved ones.
I also stay active on social media, posting and engaging daily to stay connected and visible to my target audience. This consistency helps me remain top-of-mind for families looking for a photographer they can trust.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
My advice for building your name on social media is to stay consistent.
For me, my photos need to tell a story and share a similar look or vibe. This shows clients exactly what they can expect—the colors, style, and overall feel they’ll get when they book me.
I also try to respond to messages as quickly as possible. Even if I’m in the middle of something, I’ll send a quick note like, “Hi! I’d love to help. I’m currently in a session, but I’ll reach back out in about X time.” I’m an impatient person myself, and as a customer I want to feel seen and acknowledged. So I do my best to give that same experience to my clients.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleyboydphotography.com
- Instagram: AshleyBoydPhotography_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F8zVAPsww/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Image Credits
I took the photos