Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley McIntosh.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I had no idea what I wanted to do after high school, but I did know I was creative and artistic. So, I started off at Nossi College of Art in the graphic design program. I got halfway through that program and then had a sudden change of heart after taking a motion graphics class that taught me how to use after effects. I quickly realized I loved the process of editing and piecing together a timeline. I switched my degree to film because of that class and then quickly started getting comfortable with a camera. I have spent the past 3 years shooting anything and everything from music videos, commercials, short stories, etc.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We are all our own worst critics, and the thing I have pressured myself about is feeling like I have to have a specific “niche”. There’s logical and beneficial reasons to having a niche, but I personally lose motivation when I think about it too hard. I just don’t like to feel boxed in as a creative. If I have a creative vision and turn it into a visual, whether it be photo or video, I wanna share it! I don’t want to worry about if it’s gonna throw off my Instagram aesthetic, and I wouldn’t want to miss out on an opportunity just because a potential client might think I only do one specific type of work that doesn’t match their needs.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Again, it’s hard to niche my work, but I mostly shoot promotional content for small businesses’ social media and music videos. If I had to describe my work in three words, I would say it’s abstract, edgy, and rhythmical. I’m really good at conceptualizing outside of the box by turning basic ideas into a vision with a deeper story behind it. I highly consider symbolism, lighting angles, and color theory to do so.
I am most proud of my organization and preproduction process. I feel like it’s easy for some to assume I just turn the camera on and press record and just get the shot. It’s not that simple. Way before the day of shooting, I’m planning my shots, DIYing the set, buying props, making a gear checklist, test shooting, and finding the audio that’s going to help express the emotion. As “cheesy” as this quote is, it really isn’t all about the destination (or in this case the “money shot”) it’s about the journey (the creative process) that gets you there.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I use Pinterest all the time to look at artwork for inspiration! The book Atomic Habits by James Clear has really helped me reset my mindset. It’s not a book about what habits one should be doing. Instead, it’s about HOW to rewire your brain to start better habits. My favorite part in the book is when he talks about just putting in 1 percent more effort into your goals each day and how it doesn’t seem like a lot in the moment, but over time, one percent every day quickly adds up. That thought process has helped me stop comparing myself to other great artists, and just work on my skills day by day. It also goes along with something one of my teachers said to us, “You’re not going to get worse at something if you’re practicing it every day. You can only get better!”
Contact Info:
- Email: ashleymacleanne@gmail.com
- Instagram: macimagery_
Image Credits
McCayla McClard
Gonzalez Media Productions
