Conversations with Ashley Sharpe

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

Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I am a super sentimental person, and photography gives me the power to freeze a moment in time – to make memory tangible. I love that! I have had a camera in my bag for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I used to buy a new disposable camera as soon as I brought the old one to the drug store to be developed; it was a never-ending cycle (and now those photos still live in shoeboxes in my closet). My favorite gift I have ever received was the Canon Powershot – a little handheld digital camera. It was my first exposure to the magic in a camera – to the ability to manipulate settings and lighting to create an image.

Though photography has always been my love, I am also very passionate about Education and social responsibility. After graduating with my Bachelor’s in Education, I moved to Nashville to teach in a high-risk school as part of a new transformation model to convert into a charter school. I dedicated a great deal of my time and energy to my students and my development as a teacher, and I loved it. As part of this model, we were in a position to be able to be more innovative and step outside of the box than in a traditional school. I took it upon myself to use my camera to document what it was like being a part of a school like this. CMS was a special place where the teachers, staff, and students felt like family, and we were encouraged to bring our passions into the classroom. Thus, the beginning of my photography club. I was so inspired by introducing my middle school students to photography and the power that comes with the ability to show perspective through images they create.

Through that experience with my students, I realized that I could make a difference in people’s lives through the art of photography. They showed me that. So when it came time for CMS to complete its transformation into a charter school and it was time to say goodbye, I held onto the idea that photography could be a more significant part of my life than just a hobby. I continued teaching over the next four years while building my photography business on the side, and when I had my first child in 2017, I decided to stop teaching. The schedule of my photography business gave me the freedom to focus on raising my family. Slowly, both my family and business have grown. I am so thankful for now having a client base that keeps me busy enough to make this my full-time job!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
I am passionate about the art of photography and capturing authentic moments and relationships, but the business and marketing side is a struggle for me. The road to a successful business hasn’t been, and is still not always, smooth. I am always challenged by how to differentiate myself in a very saturated market and simply how to run and grow a business. Success in this industry is not something that happens because you have a knack for it – there is so much that has to happen behind the scenes to make my work seen.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a lifestyle family photographer – I photograph families, newborns, and children authentically. I tell their stories and document all the details that make them unique. I do sessions in many types of settings! My typical family session outdoors during the golden hour just before sunset; I love to explore and find new locations! Another one of my favorite sessions is in-home sessions. They are so natural that documenting a family’s story in their environment always becomes special. Lastly, I do “Personality Portraits” for kids in my little in-home studio! I love these because something about the simplicity of the white backdrop illuminates all of their sweet details, traits, and personality! We play, laugh, tell extra silly stories during these portrait sessions, put on our mad, sassy, funny, serious, and sweet faces, and let their personalities shine!

I created Ashley Sharpe Photography because I know the value of being able to press pause and freeze a moment in time. I strive to capture family stories, their connection with one another, and all of the big and little details that we always want to remember. There is such beauty in the chaos of everyday family life, and it is easy to let it fly by. I hope to give families the gift of slowing down for a moment and together creating and documenting memories. I want my families to walk by the photos from our sessions together on their walls day after day and smile every time. These images will last a lifetime and more and bring the otherwise faded memories back and tangibly held in their hands. The one thing that I am most proud of, and also sets me apart from others, is that my photography is driven by emotion and connection. The photos are real and unposed. I capture natural, organic moments – the images I create show authentic bonds and joy. Also, while I have my style, I don’t copy and paste edits – I start fresh with each session and make sure that the edit matches each family’s unique personality and story.

I always want my families to know that I see them for who they are, and I like the photos from our time together to reflect that. I truly am honored every time a family chooses me to document their story!

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
One of the biggest risks that I have ever taken is leaving a career that I loved to pursue this entrepreneurship. I am a planner – so a lot of thought, pro/con lists, and excel spreadsheets were involved in ultimately making the decision. The risk was largely monetary; going from a salaried position to an uncertain pay structure was daunting. But another, heavier part of this risk was that my job as a teacher was so fulfilling – I was afraid that I was doing a disservice to my students and community by leaving. I have always wanted to “do good” for others, and changing career paths made me shift what that looks like. Instead of serving in an education setting, I am “freezing time” for families in an ever-changing world. Starting Ashley Sharpe Photography has not always been easy, but the rewards have been immeasurable.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aesharpephotography.com
• Instagram: @AshleySharpePhoto
• Facebook: @ashleysharpephotography