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

Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

The biggest risk I have ever taken and continue to take is creating art. When I first began photography I had no clue that it would lead me here. It started off as something trivial that I did for fun. It looked like photographing unusual strangers and the people I admired most. For nearly all of my life I had the disgusting belief that artists do not have real careers. That somehow we are less than.

Risk taking is apart of the everyday life for an artist. Art itself is risk. It is the risk to see and to be seen by others. It is the risk of creating something lousy and creating something bewitching. The thought that often is branded into my brain is this quote by Mark Rothko, “Art is an adventure into an unknown world, which can be explored only by those willing to take risks.”

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 got into this industry by being an admirer of art from an early age. No matter the medium I have always been interested in the art of personal expression. Expression is the one thing we can all do. Whether it’s taking photos, dressing ourselves, or even the music we listen to. Everything boils down to personal expression in my opinion.

When I first got into photography I realized that a lot of the industry felt repetitive. It occured to me that a lot folks would use the same poses and composition for every single shoot. To be honest, much of it felt a little boring. I have always wanted my brand and my artistry to be focused around storytelling and honest expression. I want every session I do to feel different. For it to have all the funk yet remain authentic.

My clients make everything feel like a breeze. Often times I wake up and wonder how the heck I even got here or how I managed to attract such quality people. When I really get to thinking about it imagine it is because I have done a lot of internal work that has nothing to do with my business. Some of those things are meditation, scheduling free time, resting more often, and prioritizing my own needs. When I take care of myself I create even better work for those coming to me for my art.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Dang, this is a real question let me tell you. There have been many things I have had to unlearn over the years but the one that sticks out the most is unlearning hustle culture. Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and place to grind things out. In the beginning, yeah sure, I had to hustle and work hard to build the foundation that my work rests on. But after I created that foundation the need to hustle stayed with me. I would often miss important moments that meant the most to the people I love. Missing birthdays or holidays all because I thought that if I took my foot off the gas it would all disappear. That if I slowed down I would wake up and everything I built would be in shambles. As the years have passed I have come to terms that I am nothing without rest and community. Rest keeps me creative and community keeps me honest.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Staying true to what my brand stands for and not taking on any work that doesn’t align with where my brand is going. I used to take on any and all work that would come my way because money at that time meant more to me than the idea of burnout. The strategy is not to take on work that puts you in a crappy spot mentally. I do not mean to avoid a challenge or discomfort that is a separate conversation entirely. But when you work from a place of excitement and alignment your type of client finds you. The practical way I applied this was by not showcasing any work that did not fit my brand’s identity. Whether that was posting on my social media or on my website. I only post what I love and what feels good. I know that this thought might not be for everyone but I am an artist first and a business owner second. If I cannot stay loyal to my art and to my brand why should I expect any of my clients to remain loyal either?

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ashleyguicecreative.com
• Instagram: @ashleyguicecreative