Conversations with Ashley Einerson

Photo by Candice Baker

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Einerson. 

Hi Ashley, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself and how you got started?
Thanks for having me! I have worked in the creative industry my whole career from PR and advertising to digital, I have always had a passion for design and photography. When I was pregnant with my son, I bought my first DSLR camera and had a friend take some maternity photos for me. After he was born, I took it everywhere and experimented taking photos of my family and friends. With the birth of my daughter, I decided to see if I could make my hobby into something more.

I remember telling my husband one night I really wanted to start my own photography business and by the time he woke up the next day I had created a website and posted on a local group that I was offering free photoshoots to start my portfolio; it took off really quickly from there.

I had no idea what I was doing and I was so nervous for the first few shoots. I like to call myself an outgoing introvert, so meeting new people and being natural is sometimes a little hard for me.But after the first handful of sessions, I started booking real clients. It showed me I could do it and I had really positive responses to my work.

Now only 2 years later I am booked months in advance and I have built an amazing client base. It’s amazing how fast it happened and I am really grateful for all the clients who have kept coming back and referred me to their friends and family.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been smooth, I started my business right when covid hit. So, as soon as I got ramped up, I had to ramp down. I ended up doing porch photos early on in my neighborhood and that allowed me to meet people at a safe distance. A lot of those clients have turned into returning clients and have referred me to friends and family. It was hard to navigate all of that early on and I had to cancel sessions a lot just to make sure I was compliant and safe with how quickly things would change with rules and regulations.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a lifestyle photographer. I specialize in families, newborn, maternity. I always start with the “smile at the camera” photo but I really love capturing the moments in between that. I love the little touches, giggles, and snuggles.

I try to not pose people and just let them be themselves. I know for some people photoshoots are awkward – so I try to focus on making my sessions fun and easy. I want people to feel comfortable in front of the camera and make it an experience for them vs a chore. It’s not stiff and stuffy and fake – it’s real. I try to make them comfortable and make them laugh and just have a really good time.

I also spend a ton of time during the editing process. I hand-edit every photo I deliver with Lightroom and Photoshop. I think my clients come back and recommend me because of the attention to detail and the experience I deliver.

Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I feel lucky, but I wouldn’t attribute where I am because of good or bad luck. I have worked really hard to get to where I am today; being a photographer requires a special kind of grind, and it definitely requires a passion to learn and evolve. I am really grateful to have so many clients who trust me and have come along with me for the ride.

Pricing:

• Portrait sessions start at $425
• Mountain Sessions start at $675
• Extended Family Sessions start at $725
• Newborn Pricing starts at $725

Contact Info:

• Email: ashmariephoto20@gmail.com
• Website: www.ashmarie.photography
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ash_mariephoto
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ashmariephoto20