Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Rock. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ashley, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen?

I have been blessed to earn a full-time living from my creative work. Since I was young that was my dream and it’s still mind boggling it is a reality. It was not a day one process at all. I worked a full time job while building my business on the side. I took the plunge after being miserable at my full time job and decided I was going to uproot my life and move to Atlanta. I moved here with no job, no leads and just pure hope and passion. I worked on film sets, marketed myself and shook every hand I met. It was a HARD struggle at first, I was walking dogs and doing post mates to barely make ends meet. But once the business took off, it was worth the struggle. I’d do it all over again if I had to. I think some major steps I learned along the way could have helped speed up the process but we did pretty good at doing the damn thing. I should’ve networked more with more photographers right away. I met a few but my imposter syndrome got the best of me. I think putting my all into social media made a huge change. If I got to do it again, I would offer creative sessions sooner. When I first moved here I was photographing seniors, headshots and weddings. I still do those, but I didn’t realize people would love my passion projects. Now, I hardly do a session that’s not creative in one way or another.

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.

For people who don’t know me, I am Ash, the owner of Ashley Rockstar Photography. I got into the craft of photography at a young age and the love for it just never stopped. It started with Youtube videos with my best friends in middle school, to doing senior photos for people when I was a senior. I always loved the craft of film and photography. Realizing I could profit off of it just became a bonus. I offer all types of creative photography but truly niche in boudoir, portraits and elopements. People are always asking what sets me apart from others and I believe it’s my personality. I know, that’s a weird answer for a visual service. But, being comfortable in front of a camera in a weird set I built is a skill at this point. Making others feel comfortable in front of a camera period feels like a skill. Allowing them to let down their walls and feel safe in front of the very thing that can capture every insecurity, is something I pride myself on. You capture way more emotion and a persons true self when they feel they can be themselves. I’m honestly most proud of how I make people feel during a session and after seeing their photos. I want my clients to know that no matter what your weird little brain thinks up – we can bring it to life in a beautiful way. Whether it’s the happiest day of your life or you’re overcoming obstacles, I think it’s important to capture those times. I love looking back at all of my photos in my highest and lowest moments. It makes life feel very poetic to me. Like a visual journal, where not everyone can read between the lines. But those who do, really connect with the art.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think there are several things non creatives struggle to understand about my journey. They see my really creative work and just think it’s weird. Even non-creative people who love my work, they question how my brain thinks of these things. I think the easiest way to describe it to a non creative person is to think of your highest highs or lowest lows. How did those feel? What did you turn towards to relate to in those moments? Do you ever hear a sad song and remember that person that broke your heart years ago? Do you ever watch a movie and it inspires you to go out and live differently because of it? That is ART. That is what I try to pull through in my photography. We are so overly saturated with content in 2025, but I’m always striving to pull emotion and authenticity in my sessions. You may look at a creative session and think, “Well why does a girl in lingerie in a spider web mean art?” But what you don’t know, is she may have just gone through a horrible toxic relationship and felt “Stuck” (like in a spider web). This photoshoot is an artistic way of showing she’s finding herself again. That’s just one simple example. I have 1,000 examples of stories. Non creative people just need to sit and really resonate with some of my work. As someone who feels EVERYTHING 100%, I can understand how people who don’t, cannot always relate or understand. That’s okay! However, I believe I’ve done enough that everyone can relate to at least ONE story behind a photo I’ve taken. Art is meant to make you feel.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is helping people with my art. Growing up I was always creative but loved helping people. I always felt selfish thinking of the entertainment industry or art being my thing. Because, how was I going to help someone that way? Now watching people build their self esteem through my sessions, watching the trajectory of their life change because of it? There is literally no better feeling. It’s not always that crazy, but even seeing someone leave with their head a little higher than they started, feels awesome.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.AshleyRockstarPhotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyrockstarphotography
• Facebook: https://www.fb.com/ashleyrockstarphotography