We recently connected with Ashley Koltonski and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

The biggest risk I took in my life was betting on myself and becoming an entrepreneur full-time. What a terrifying leap off a cliff into the unknown. The fears that held me back are something I had to overcome step-by-step, through mindset work, planning and building an unwavering belief in myself. I left a very successful corporate career and a very cushy paycheck in 2023 because I knew deep inside that I was meant for more. I was meant for pursuing creative passions MY way and being an authentic leader that will help change the world and make a sincere impact on people. Being a task-taker was never going to be enough for me. And now? I get to create full-time, live a life on my own schedule and have deep purpose and happiness in my work.

The thing they don’t tell you about becoming your own boss? All the mental work that goes into it. Your mindset matters and getting to know yourself intimately, flaws and all, will only help you gain clarity on your gifts, talents, wounds, blocks, and shadows. When you are a purpose-driven entrepreneur with a passion for creating positive change, your identity is an integral part of your business. Throughout the last several years, I’ve done so much internal work on my traumas, pain and patterns that has allowed me to evolve and understand myself and get to the root of what drives me as a creative. All this work has built strength from within and grew my wings to take that leap of faith – and fly!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

nice to meet you, I’m Ashley

I’m a boudoir and travel photographer with a passion for empowering women to show up authentically in life. I love helping women express themselves through photography, unleashing their divine feminine spirit. My motto? “Darling, you’re a work of art.”

My values and beliefs as an empowerment photographer:

1. I will always honor your “no”

2. Boudoir art can only be created in a safe container

3. I accept and love all people

4. I grant myself and others the grace of their imperfections

5. Sexy is an attitude, not a body shape or size

My goal is simple: I help women creatively express themselves in a safe environment through art. My clients walk away with a new appreciation for their body and unique sexy side. I take a positive and intentional approach with each client, working with women to first understand their story so we can create a specific vibe for their shoot and then to capture their feminine essence. My mission is to inspire women to love themselves and celebrate their own unique beauty. I’m here to guide women into their own freedom, empowering them to feel safe, strong, sexy and bold.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Being authentically me. Knowing myself, knowing my mission and values, and knowing my WHY behind what I do guides everything. I am passionate about women feeling safe, so of course that has been a core value of mine as an intimate art photographer.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

I always recommend “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. I reread it every year. The agreements are simple and truly help you sustain a positive outlook on things, whether that be in life or business. The biggest lesson for me from that book is not taking things personally. Even when things don’t work out in business or with a sale, I don’t let that negative mind chatter win. Not taking it personally and showing up and serving as best I can is all that I can do. People live complicated lives juggling a lot, and not taking their decisions as a personal failure or attack frees up my mind to continue creating art and loving what I do!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://bodyartboudoir.com
• Instagram: @bodyartboudoir
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/akoltcreatives
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akoltonski/