Meet Ashley Nation

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

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born deaf. My cochlea never fully formed so I never heard anything. My parents had no idea until I was about five months they suspected something was wrong. They took me into the doctors for testing and then found out I was deaf. Within the next month, I got my first pair of hearing aids. I was crying and they were crying. Once the doctors turned my hearing aids on, I just stopped.

My parents looked at me and I heard three first words from my mom “I love you”. My parents were so happy and were so understanding with the way deaf babies are. They learned American Sign Language for me, they got me into speech therapy, all the works. Growing up was a little tough because I was different. I wasn’t deaf but I wasn’t hearing. I went to mainstream schools and had an IEP I was almost normal. I had a hard time figuring out where I belonged but I now know I don’t belong in either one, I belong in my own label; hard of hearing.

As for my photography career, it all started out with my first point and shoot camera I got for Christmas from my grandpa. I always took pictures and it annoyed my family that I would always stop to take a picture of something. I would even do that with my phone as well! Over the years I was using a point and shoot camera until I was about a junior in high school around 2012. I fell in love with my first real DSLR camera and took so many pictures I needed another memory card! I found photography as my escape from reality and as a hobby I can take photos the way I see around me. I took up some classes and learned a few tips from friends that were photographers and improved a lot. There are also beautiful mistakes in photography as well, which is amazing.

 So go find that hobby of yours that can be an escape, a hobby that’ll help relax the mind or help you focus and keep you distracted from the negatives in life. Everyone deserves some sunshine in their lives!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s definitely been a rough road since I was a kid. I’ve been bullied, cyberbullied, struggled with depression and anxiety. Even attempted on my own life once. It’s not pretty at all, but in the end, I find that we have to be our own heroes. We have to be our own friend to pull ourselves out of it sometimes. It’s easier said than done for sure, but life is way too precious to be thrown away because of some negativity. We all need some kind of positivity in our lives to keep going even if it means surviving the day.

We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am my own boss in a photography business. I do family photos, portraits, senior photos, best friend sessions. I find myself apart from the others by recognizing that I want to make them feel comfortable and feel natural instead of making the client do awkward, weird, silent poses. I take pride in what I do and for how much I’ve improved since I was a kid with my first camera.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success personally as someone who can get through hard days and still be strong. Someone who is loyal and honest and trustworthy. Someone who can get the work done no matter where they’re at. I’m still working on myself to be the successful person I want to be. There’s always room for improvement!

Pricing:

• Senior photos – $50
• Family photos – $60
• Portraits – $55

Contact Info:

• Phone: 4805606291
• Email: ashley.nation13@gmail.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/Ashley.nation14
• Facebook: Facebook.com/ashleynationphotography

Image Credit:
Ashley Nation

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