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

Ashley, appreciate you joining us today. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

I’ve had a camera in my hand for about as long as I can remember. My dad was an avid photographer, and his mom before that. While my grandma mainly captured some amazing family memories and travel photos, my dad expanded that by also taking artistic and creative images. From them, I learned the importance of photos. How they can transport you back to a place and time with a “simple snapshot.” I found visual proof of my first 35mm camera when going through family photos. I had a cute purple camera (I’m guessing a Vivitar or Pentax little point and shoot) and I was capturing my sister’s first birthday. That would put me at 9 years old! In middle school it was a plethora of disposable cameras capturing antics among friends. In high school, I began exploring more creative endeavors and was taught my way around the darkroom. My dad entrusted me with his Olympus OM10, and I began creating my first real portfolio. I was the only student taking photography, so I had the whole darkroom to myself, and it was such a joy watching the images come to life in the tray.

As life progressed, I continued to follow my dad’s advice of “shoot what you love” and really honing my craft. A family friend asked me if I would be willing to capture their wedding when they discovered the photographer they hired left town with their money (so sad)! I was so nervous taking on a high pressure event like that, but I also couldn’t imagine them not having their day captured. Wouldn’t you know, I loved every second of the wedding and thought I might have finally found my calling. More so than me loving their photos, THEY loved their photos. The bliss it brought them was something of an honor to provide. From there, I developed (hehe pun intended) a website and chose to name my business (White Rabbit Studios) as a tribute of my favorite story, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. I relate to Alice’s voyage and discovery and how anywhere can become Wonderland.

Being able to not only capture wedding day memories and family milestones, but my own journey in life ties together everything I admire about photography: creating imagery that can transport you right back to that moment and memory. I love that analog photography offers me so many wonderful processes to create with and explore. I’ve now been in business for 17 years and have a 1,000 square foot studio, complete with an Airstream I’ve converted into a darkroom within Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, a 300,000 square foot art community in Huntsville, Alabama. I am so fortunate to have been part of so many people’s special memories and I look forward to what the future will provide!

Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

White Rabbit Studios primarily provides wedding day coverage on film: both still and motion picture. I use quite a mix of gear: a few Hasselblads, Mamiyas, and Rolleis for 120; Canon 1v and a variety of point and shoots for 35mm coverage; and several Super 8 cameras for cinematography. I also love capturing portraits, families, and editorial imagery for businesses. I’m fortunate to have been the photographer for Scout Guide Huntsville for the past 8 years (and look forward to future guides we create together). It’s a wonderful way to work with other local businesses in my area and provide them with lovely imagery!

One of my favorite things to capture (on a personal level) are landscapes when I travel, along with nuances and glimpses of everyday life. The way light changes during seasons, my kitties, moments playing with the band I’m in (EvryThngIsWrng), my garden (full of native plants and wildlife), sunsets, etc. I have a camera on me at all times (even if it’s just my phone) because how quick inspiration can hit and how fast a moment can pass. The saying is true that the best camera you can have is the one on you, and I highly agree!

I am an open book and love chatting with other photographers and creatives! I’m so fortunate that my studio is among over 150 working artists, so there’s always plenty of fabulous conversation and inspiration around every corner.

I also operate an analog photobooth under the collection Autophoto (https://www.autophoto.org/)! Over the past 4 years I’ve learned from my friend and mentor Breanna Conley, who owns the company. She has booths placed all around the US and hires techs to maintain the booths. From chemistry changes, to loading fresh paper, to troubleshooting jams and whatever else, it’s such an interesting job! The analog photobooth celebrates 100 years in operation and it’s a wild honor being a small part of it’s history!

With the idea that community triumphs over competition, I fully believe the art of analog photography should be shared and celebrated by everyone! I have amassed a giant collection of cameras and darkroom gear that I provide at an affordable cost to those looking to get into shooting with film, or expand their knowledge. It’s so fun watching someone get their first “real camera” and start on their own journey of capturing their world!

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

I have found that word of mouth is the primary way I gain new clients. It’s such a compliment when couples and families return to have their portraits made with me year after year, and that usually leads to several new clientele looking to have the same type of photos. I provide a mix of lifestyle and posed imagery and keep my sessions and wedding day coverage friendly and flexible. I’m very good under pressure (wedding days) and can get along with kids during family sessions (probably because I’m still a kid at heart). I become friends with just about all of my clients, and it’s so wonderful being a part of their journey through life and love.

I’m a sucker for sap, and really enjoy focusing on the couple on their wedding day. Of course, I provide a medley and variety of imagery from their special day, however, my main goal is to showcase the love between the couple. Everyone has their own unique way of expressing their love with their partner and to be invited to photograph those moments, keep me falling in love with love all over again! Over the past 5 years, my business has shifted into capturing more elopements, which I absolutely adore. To be able to truly be with the couple without any outside pressure from family and friends, is such a delight!

For portraits and families, I think it’s so important to make them feel comfortable to ensure I get true-to-life expressions. 90% of my clients “hate having their picture made” – which is fine – I tell them generally models are the only ones who truly love having their photo taken, but whatever drew them to my imagery in the first place is what I can get out of them. It works every time! My favorite feedback is “you made it so easy and fun”!

When I provide editorial imagery, it’s a bit more planned to ensure they get any specific images needed for advertising, their website, etc. I work with them to create an exact shot list of everything we need to capture during our time together, and of course throw in some candids. I always make sure to leave room for creative freedom and flexibility.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

If you had told me in my high school darkroom days that I would be photographing weddings and elopements as my primary source of income, I would have laughed so hard! Back then, I was primarily landscapes, still life, and anything under the sun that did not include a person. However, I was bitten by the love bug and it’s now such a wonderful reward to hear how happy my clients are to receive their wedding images. As the years go by, those photos are generally the only thing left from the wedding day…and for them to be transported back to that day is truly such a wonderful thing to provide. I know how much I adore my own wedding photos, so it’s a high honor being the one to provide these family heirlooms.

To be able to make a living off being a creative is a wild dream come true! I knew at an early age I wouldn’t be one that could work a “normal job”, yet when art school fell through for me (long story), I definitely had my doubts that I could do it “without a degree”. Yet when a family friend entrusted me, it helped show that there was a talent there waiting to be nourished. I feel so fortunate that I’ve maintained the drive to continue to grow and succeed as an artist. I can’t thank my family, friends, and clients enough who have all enlisted my services over the years!

Contact Info:

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