We recently connected with Ashton Steele and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Ashton thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I had always been interested in photography but never considered pursuing it until I was in a college photography class. Getting to learn the basics of a camera, shooting in manual, and practicing different lighting situations in class definitely helped to ease the anxiousness of trying photography on my own. Through the encouragement of my friends I started taking senior photos for them as practice, and from there that’s how my business got started. The fun thing about photography is there are the basics you need to know like shooting in manual, but practice practice practice teaches you so much more. Getting out there and photographing anyone who wants to stand in front of your camera, challenging yourself with new locations or lighting situations. Photography is always changing yet some things remain the same so it’s a job where I’m always learning something new.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m a portrait and wedding photographer based in central Texas! I studied at Baylor University and that’s where my passion for photography took off. I started my business by just taking senior photos for friends of mine, and then through word of mouth my business took off from there. I have photographed seniors, proposals, engagements, weddings, maternity, newborn and family photos. I truly cannot pick a favorite because I love that each day brings a different joy to my job. The people I meet and friendships I build through my clients are so meaningful to me and might be my favorite part of the job. Getting to photograph peoples happiest moments and giving them something tangible to always take them back to that moment is my goal. Photographing them in their purest form, telling their story through my lens.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Photography is a continuously growing industry, especially in the age of social media. Comparison is the thief of joy. I continuously have to remind myself to not compare my journey to other photographers, and some days it’s really really hard.
How did you build your audience on social media?
Always interact with your followers and show them your true self! Potential clients want to see the REAL you! As a photographer you are capturing clients in some of the biggest moments of their lives and they want to feel like they can connect with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: ashtonsteelephotography.net
- Instagram: @ashtonlsteelephoto
- Facebook: Facebook.com/ashtonsteelephotos
Image Credits
Photos taken by Ashton Steele Photography