Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Stone.
Ashley, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started photography when I was 12 years old. My grandparents got me a Canon power shot flash camera for Christmas and I started taking photos of everything! I then took a few film photography classes throughout high school and just fell in love with the art of taking images.
Unfortunately, I went off to college for business, with everyone telling me I could never have a career in something artistic like photography. I met my husband while I was in college and within a few months he proposed, and we moved to Reno, Nevada. I struggled with finding a job and became a nanny for quite awhile. I just felt like some part of me was missing and unfulfilled. I then saved up some of my income to purchase a Nikon camera kit. I was so excited and got such a rush of this idea of creating a business!
I took tons of photos of people free of charge to gain experience and then started charging $20 for one full hour. It is so crazy to think back on that now! I can’t imagine charging those rates today! I photographed in Reno for about two months and then we moved back to Arizona.
I struggled hard core when we moved back here and I invested so much time and money into my business. I first reached out to friends, who booked sessions and then they began to tell their friends and so on. I have thrown myself into Ashley Stone Photography and I have literally worked non stop to get it to where it is today.
My business is “one” of my babies and I am so grateful that through word of mouth and sheer determination it has grown to be so popular and so busy! I am now booked solid three to four months in advance and have gone from doing four weddings total last year to 28 weddings this year. I work with so many families that have been with me since the beginning and I get to meet many new faces each year. It really is amazing.
Has it been a smooth road?
It definitely has not been smooth. I am going to be super honest. I have cried myself to sleep SO many nights over having too many cancellations, unfriendly clients, etc. I have used every dime I had at points to be able to replace my camera when it has gone out or buy an external flash for my first wedding.
I think the biggest hurdle of all, was finding out I was pregnant with my daughter, Esther. about four months after I brought Ashley Stone Photography to Arizona. I was really sick during my pregnancy and she kicked my hip out of place, so I didn’t work practically the whole nine months. I lost a ton of clients and after my pregnancy basically had to start from scratch again.
There are still large obstacles that fall in my way today and I think there always will be for everyone in this line of business. Photography constantly grows and changes every day.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ashley Stone Photography – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Well, I am a professional photographer. I specialize in mostly wedding photography and boudoir portraits. I have a private group for my boudoir photography that has over 5,000 women in it that I update every day and post it. I would say I am most proud of still being a photographer today. With all the hurdles and struggles I went through trying to make it to this point, there were so many times I wanted to throw in the towel and say, “Nevermind!”
After working myself with several other photographers, I think what sets me apart is realness. If that is a word! I am always blunt and honest with my clients. I love to get to know people down to their core and I want them to know who I really am as well. I don’t try to pretend to be something I’m not and I will definitely admit to my faults.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I love most about the Phoenix area is how diverse it is. I have met all kinds of different people from all walks of life and it is always refreshing. I am an Arizona native, which is not super common. So, I feel like many people who live here have moved from somewhere else and it’s just awesome to be able to work with people from all over the place.
What I like least of course… is the heat! It is SO hot here in the summer, that photography almost makes you want to cringe. I always sweat buckets and it definitely is not enjoyable!
Contact Info:
- Address: 230 East Civic Center Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85296
- Website: ashleystonephotography.org
- Phone: 480-577-8988
- Email: ashleystonephotography@hotmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ashley.stone.photo
- Facebook: facebook.com/ashleystonephoto
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.
