To begin with, I think the most important part of any person is their personality. I hope I have a great one! As much as I love to smile and laugh, I love to make others smile and laugh more. This, besides becoming a photographer professionally, is one of my main goals for my life- to make others happy. So, I guess some would call me a people-pleaser, but not in the doormat type of way. I have solid values and morals, and those I will not sacrifice for anything. Things that I am particularly fond of include, but are not limited to, Starbucks' white mocha cappuccino, classic movies, books -most importantly my Bible, dark chocolate, summer, Denzel Washington and weddings. These are a few of my favorite things (consequently a quote from one of my favorite movies, The Sound of Music).
Now that we've gotten to know each other, or rather, you've gotten to know me, here's a little of what you can expect from me professionally:
One thing that surprises most people when they see my work is that it was done by someone so young. I'm only eighteen years old, but my talent would suggest someone with many more years experience and training. I have been photographing randomness since I could press my finger on the shutter release.
To prove this, here's a picture (it's kind of hard to tell, but that is a genuine Kodak 35mm in that protective case I am holding. Yeah, you could say I was pretty cool back in the day):
And a little older, (please excuse the flood water damage!):
I didn't make photography a serious "thing" until about two years ago. (That's when people started to see potential in me, and I thought, "Hey, maybe they're on to something"). So turns out those geniuses were right, and now I am taking my very first photographer baby steps to becoming a real pro.
It's nearly June 2011 as I'm writing this, and in October, I will be taking my next steps: I will be enrolled full time at the Illinois Institute of Art in Schaumburg, IL (just a few minutes West of Chicago) where I will be pursuing my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Digital Photography. (This makes me VERY happy to say.)
What about after that, you ask?
I'm glad you did.
Hopefully, God willingly, I will eventually become a photographer for National Geographic, travelling around the world, and giving millions of people a glimpse of what is outside of their eyesight.
The very thought of this gives me the best kind of chills.
But when I'm not immersed in Bali's night life or shooting all the beauty of Venice, Italy- or Taiwan or Hong Kong or Bangladesh or Uganda- or wherever they send me, I would love to come home and take a chill pill, and create memories for the people around me.
My photography and photo style is as unique as I am. I'm hardly ever going to pose a client. I strive to make my work reflect the subject, and my goal for every shoot I do is to capture my client's personality (personality is a running theme with me, you've probably figured out). That's the one thing I can promise you- you will look like you. Happy you. All I want to do is capture the trueness of the people you've asked me to photograph, and have a great time with you as I do it!
I hope you hear from you soon!
All my love,
Ashlee
