We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Einerson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

When I first started my photography business I did a session for a woman who was really down on her luck. She had posted in a local mom group asking how to stretch $20 for the week with kids. I reached out to her to buy her groceries and learned she was pregnant, and living in a shelter with her 3 kids (twin babies and a toddler). That night I ordered her a bunch of groceries and also started a GoFundMe to help her and her family. I posted it in local groups, shared it with friends and family, and on my own social media to raise money. The response was amazing and we ended up raising 7,000 for her and a ton of donations for her kids (clothes toys, etc).

I told her I wanted to do a maternity session for her for free and at the end of the session, I surprised her with the money. To this day it is one of my favorite sessions because of how raw and honest it was, she cried, I even cried watching how humble was. She shared a lot with me that day and everything she had been going through. The money raised got her and her kids out of the shelter and into an apartment. I am grateful I was there to see/document that vulnerable moment.

It’s pretty amazing that as a photographer you can be there to witness some of the most important moments in a person’s life and be a complete stranger to them. That you can go to a session and feel different by the stories you collect and people you learn from. It’s really quite remarkable.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I have worked in the creative space for over 15 years but photography was only something I did for personal projects for the majority of that time. When I was pregnant with my son, I bought my first DSLR camera. I began taking photos for my family, friends, etc. After the birth of my daughter, I decided I wanted to push things further. I realized my hobby was more than that, it was a creative outlet for me.

One night I decided I would just test my skills and do a model call in my neighborhood, the response was overwhelming, and I haven’t put my camera down since. I began slowly, and it was a lot of trial and error. I was nervous before every shoot! But after a while, I built up a customer base and confidence that both still follow me today.

I specialize in lifestyle portrait photography. I do a lot of family lifestyle, newborn, and couples (engagement and wedding) photography. I like to keep things light and natural during my sessions – from the light to the poses. I want families to feel and look like themselves during my sessions so I try not to pose them and just try and get them to be comfortable.

I always get the “smile at the camera” shots, but I like to focus on what happens in between. The little touches, kisses, hugs, giggles, awkwardness, and even the tantrums. I want each session to be an experience and not a chore for families and couples. I want my clients and families to walk away thinking it was fun.

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

I wish I would have known to tap into the photography community more. Since I began, I have found a lot of awesome resources and camaraderie from other photographers in the business, but it took a bit to get there. There are so many groups where I have shown my work, asked questions, tricks etc. People post great content from just inspiring me with their work, to tips in photoshop to try.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal really comes down to making my sessions approachable and fun. I want each session to have a personality. I want clients to come back not only because they love my work, but because they feel comfortable with me and know it will be a fun experience.

I have several families I shoot each year and I want that repetition, not because of the investment they make financially, but the investment they make in their time and trust to see me each year and capture these important moments.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashmarie.photography/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ash_mariephoto/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashmariephoto20

Image Credits
Ash Marie Photography