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

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

Many people assume that a photographer is just a person who shows up at a wedding to photograph the event. I pride myself on being so much more than that. I view myself as a storyteller, and my biggest goal is to preserve my clients’ legacy through wedding portraits with a classic and timeless style. My top priority is ensuring that they have a comfortable experience and end up with authentic photos from their day.

Ashley, 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?

I am a Michigan wedding and portrait photographer. I’m known for capturing evocative and timeless, storytelling images. Aside from my eye for detail and posing expertise, what sets me apart is that I’m known for creating a comfortable experience for my clients. I want them to feel like we’ve been friends for years so that they can relax, have fun, and just be themselves. In my experience, when people are having a good time and making memories, the photos practically take themselves.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

This is very skill and industry-specific… when most photographers are just starting out, they see a pretty background, place their subject in front of it, and snap the photo. Oftentimes, they realize that this photo they thought would be absolutely stunning ends up being pretty lackluster. It’s necessary for any photographer to learn that a pretty backdrop does not equal a pretty photo. I suppose this is an “unlearning” that takes place for most photographers looking to be their absolute best. This is something I realized and “unlearned” years ago. Choosing lighting is always my top priority, if the light is right – I can make the side of a parking lot look beautiful.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I love keeping up with my clients through social media. It’s always fun to watch their families grow, to see their travels, and anything new in their lives. I’m always especially honored when they invite me to capture more of these milestones for them. Many of my clients leave our sessions saying they feel like I’m an old friend, and I really pride myself on that – it comes from a real genuine place, I sincerely care about the people I work with. It’s kind of crazy when you think about the fact that couples and families invite me, essentially a stranger, to be a small part of their life by spending the day by their side, capturing these photos that they will cherish forever. I like to hope that the energy I bring to their photo session, whether it be their newborn photos or their wedding day, is remembered as a positive presence. I am grateful every day to get to do this job, and I believe that it shines through in my interactions. Aditionally, providing my clients with an impeccable end product is what I believe fosters brand loyalty. I put my personal stamp on every photo that passes through my hands through a positive experience, precise posing, lighting choices, and hand editing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleydoraziophotography.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleydoraziophotography/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleydoraziophotography