We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashlyn Graham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashlyn, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

I truly believe success is subjective. For some photographers, success might look like thousands of followers, shooting every single day of the week, or going viral on social media. But for me, success is much simpler—it’s being able to wake up every day and do what I’ve loved since I was seven years old.

I still remember getting my first little pink digital camera at seven and constantly taking photos of my friends and family. Even then, I knew photography wasn’t just a hobby for me—it was a calling. Over the years, that passion grew into Ashlyn Leigh Photo, LLC, and today I get to capture weddings, families, seniors, and brands in a way that feels both creative and deeply personal.

To me, success isn’t defined by how busy my calendar is or how many likes I get online—it’s the fact that I turned a childhood dream into a career. It’s when a client tells me they felt comfortable and confident in front of my camera, or when I deliver a gallery and they cry happy tears because their memories were captured exactly as they remembered them. It’s capturing some of the biggest milestones for the friends and family who have cheered me on from the very beginning.

These moments remind me that success isn’t something I’m chasing—it’s something I’m already living every time I get to tell someone’s story through my lens.

Ashlyn, 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’m Ashlyn, the owner and photographer behind Ashlyn Leigh Photo LLC. At my core, I’m someone who treasures the simple joys of life—thrifting unique finds, getting lost in movies and music, sipping coffee with people I love, spending time outdoors, creating art in all forms, traveling anywhere and everywhere, and making memories with my husband and family. All of those things inspire me and naturally spill over into my photography.

My love for photography began when I was seven years old with a little digital camera and an endless eagerness to photograph anyone who would let me. From the very beginning, I didn’t just dream of being a photographer—I knew it was what I was meant to do. It was deeper than a dream; it was non-negotiable. In 2021, I officially began Ashlyn Leigh Photo, and I couldn’t feel more blessed to be where I am today, turning that lifelong passion into a career.

What sets me apart is the experience I create for my clients. I’m naturally bubbly and outgoing, which helps me connect with people and make them feel comfortable in front of my camera. So many of my clients come into their session nervous but leave saying they felt confident and even had fun—that’s when I know I’ve done my job well. For me, photography isn’t just about beautiful images; it’s about helping people feel seen, celebrated, and authentically themselves.

My work is rooted in storytelling. I love capturing both the big milestones and the in-between moments—the laughter, the quiet glances, the details that make a memory whole. That’s why I offer not only digital galleries but also heirloom photo books, because I believe your memories deserve to be held in your hands and passed down for generations.

What I’m most proud of is building a business that reflects who I am and what I’ve dreamed of since childhood. I get to celebrate alongside my clients in their biggest life moments, and often those clients become friends who return year after year to document new chapters. That loyalty and trust mean everything to me.

At the heart of Ashlyn Leigh Photo is this: I want people to know their story matters. Whether it’s a wedding day, a senior session, or a brand shoot, my goal is to create images that aren’t just pretty pictures but memories you’ll hold onto forever.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I started Ashlyn Leigh Photo in 2021 while I was in college in Pensacola, Florida. In those early years, most of my sessions were seniors and families, and as my business grew, I expanded into branding work and even proposals. By the time I graduated in May 2024, I had built a strong client base there.

After graduation, I moved back to central Pennsylvania—my hometown where my love for photography first began—and I was so excited to continue this journey. But almost overnight, my clientele shifted dramatically. The beach sessions, college seniors, and tourists that had filled my calendar in Florida were no longer available, and suddenly, all of my clients were hundreds of miles away. It felt almost like starting over. At times, it was discouraging to get inquiries from Florida and realize I wasn’t there anymore to capture those stories. On top of that, I got married and had to adjust from wedding planning and scheduling to moving and building a life back home.

I knew I had to pivot intentionally. I began posting more woodsy, green, and central Pennsylvania-style images to show what I could offer locally. I joined the local Chamber of Commerce, attended women-in-business events, and introduced myself to dozens of businesses to offer branding photography. Slowly but surely, doors began opening.

Looking back, I’m proud of the hustle and perseverance it took to rebuild my business in a new market. It wasn’t always easy, but today I’m consistently booking branding, seniors, weddings, couples, and families here in Pennsylvania. That season taught me that pivoting doesn’t mean starting over—it means evolving, and trusting that with hard work and heart, your business will grow in the place you’re planted.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the reward is in connection. I get to witness and preserve moments that people might not even realize are extraordinary until they look back years later. It’s the laughter between poses, the tearful glance during vows, the pride in a senior’s smile. Knowing my art gives people something to feel and hold onto long after the moment has passed—that’s the most rewarding part.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashlynleighphoto.com
• Instagram: @ashlynleighphoto
• Facebook: Ashlyn Leigh Photo, LLC
• Other: [email protected]