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Meet Ashley Nystrom of Ashley Rae Photography

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

Ashley, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was born and raised in the Sonoran desert of Phoenix, Arizona. I started my career in photography back in 2014. Photography just wasn’t on my radar for a career to be honest. I wasn’t a natural (as they say) born photographer with this god given talent. I was, in fact, taking an unfilling road. Photography just wasn’t apart of my plan….. I believe photography found ME.

The start of my career began with a photograph… A photograph I never had…

I was searching for what I thought I had of my mom and I, and it didn’t exist. In my memory it did but it was a sad discovery. From this very moment, I asked my husband for a camera. This was the start of my business.

Soon after I started to notice work from Jose Villa and Daniel Kim and noticed that seeing a film photograph completely moved me. I loved the tones, softness, and fine grain and the emotion of their clients. I was so moved by their work.

So, I made the decision to dive into this new venture of photography that lead me into film photography years later and it all started with Daniel Kim’s workshop here in Arizona. I opened my vulnerability to learn something so new, and I learned from the most incredible and talented story-telling photographer.

After the workshop, I received my film scans and I was completely blown away. I remember opening my files, and I literally cried. This was the turning point in my photographic career. I knew this was my calling and I had to capture all the moments in people’s lives that matter big or small and in-between.

Great, 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?
My photography journey has been a long but successful road. I truly believe that hard work and dedication always has its rewards. In the early stages of my career, the biggest struggle was the tools needed, and I didn’t identify with my own work I was putting out there. It took me quite some time to get around this. I had so many expectations and I was filled with so much Self-doubt.

I felt lost on who was Ashley Rae Photography, who was my ideal client and style? With so many amazing photographers, I had a hard road to set myself apart.

Through the years, I constantly reinvested in myself and the type of photography I was capturing and it took about 4 years to truly love my brand and the value I was bringing to the table for my clients. The evolution of a business is so astonishing to look back on because I came from not owning my own camera, feeling uncertain about my offering, I was actually on the right road t documenting beautiful and emotional love stories.

Please tell us about Ashley Rae Photography.
My signature aesthetic can be described as romantic for the feminist bride. I love deep emotional imagery and details. I specialize in photographing weddings in medium format film.

I really feel like photographing film and weddings have completely changed molded my business. Film has made me more aware on each frame I capture and the unfolding story I’m going to tell with intention. It’s given me an entirely new love perspective on my photography journey.

I absolutely relish the small details. You can often see in my portfolio a portrait of someone’s luscious lips, hands, and the closeness before the kiss. I think that these types of photographs tugs at the heart.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
One of the first things that come to mind is traveling on a family vacation with my grandma through the rocky mountains of Colorado on our way to Breckenridge. I remember smelling the fresh air as I had my head out the window as we zipped through the winding narrow roads. This was the first family big vacation and I truly felt as if I was in a dream while taking it all in. There was just nothing I’ve seen before that was like it. I really loved the moment.

When I think about this trip, I think how it reflects us, entrepreneurs: “Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.” – Barry Finlay

Pricing:

  • Wedding Collections start at $3500
  • Portrait Collections start at $450

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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