Drrrrum roll please…..
Well, before I get to the announcement, even despite the (many) challenges 2020 has brought me (well, all of us) it has truly been an overall eye-opening, rejuvenating and inspiring year. I learned that life can change on a dime and even the most prepared can be left scrambling for a solid plan.
I’ve learned that life is too short to live in discontentment, to fall short in the self-love department, or to let any more days pass that I don’t get purposeful about living out the dreams I have for myself and my little girl.
I’ve learned that life is mostly what you make of it and that if you don’t find the positives, certain situations can be especially dark and daunting… And, I learned that the positives are ALWAYS there, even when you sometimes have to dig a little deeper to find them. That is a lesson I want to live out as an example for my daughter.
4 years ago I started my position at Dr. Shaw’s plastic surgery office and found my role as his medical assistant/esthetician/laser tech thrilling, intruiging and enjoyable. All qualities I hoped to find in a job. This has been a position I have been blessed to grow in immensely and I became his go-to laser technician; performing tattoo removals, hair removal, sculpsure, hydra facials, tempsure, peels, dermaplaning and I became darn great at selling skin care. That’s a LOT of mumble-jumble for working a REALLY cool job!
Other “hats” I’m (*especially*) proud to wear are, most importantly (and most demanding), mom to my sweet little girl. Reagan is my sweet, smart, funny and BUSY 2 year old daughter, to whom I am a single mom. A dang PROUD single mom at that!
I am also obviously a photographer! I’m sure most of you reading have hired a photographer at least once and recognize that there is more to photography than showing up to a 20, 30 min, 1 hour session or a day for a wedding and snapping the pictures. I show up early to perfect my settings for the time of day, lighting and to ensure the scene or backdrop is perfect… I take the pictures and then I dedicate hours (upon hours) to editing them to perfection.
In addition, since my house doesn’t clean itself and the food doesn’t just magically appear on the table, I am also our own personal maid and chef. I do also require like an hour at least of sleep… sometimes… So basically, I am a professional juggler of all the things and more often than not there are not enough hours in the day. Or, ever. I know a lot of you are “yes girl” and “amen-ing” while reading this because ya just feel me on all of this. 3 claps for all the bad-ass mom’s out there that keep the world spinning for your families!
In full transparency, I do a lot of things that I am proud of but I rarely feel like I do them all well. When you’re spread thin as paper as I sometimes feel, I give a little of myself to a lot of things. The day my daughter came earth-side my desire shifted to desperately wanting to give a lot of myself to a few of the most important things. Making that happen rationally and realistically seemed like a huge challenge, and so I didn’t change much about my situation.
I am so grateful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given and feel that the things I have done professionally for Dr. Shaw’s office have fulfilled certain seasons of my life well. It has been an enjoyable job, which I know that not everyone can say about their line of work. It has provided a level of flexibility in the schedule that has blessed me as a mom and photographer. I am grateful for my time there, but I am excited to say that my time has come to an end.
As of last Friday, I retired my scrubs and hung up my laser tech hat and am ELATED to say that I am officially pursuing photography FULL-TIME!!!
I have been inspired and encouraged by so many people that I cherish and I want to put the spotlight on them for a minute because their love and support is a huge reason that I am making this announcement today!
My family, specifically my parents and my Memaw, have been in my corner cheering me on through all that I’ve done. They believe in me and want nothing more than my utmost happiness. I know that to my core and I am so thankful for them.
Meagan, my cherished life-coach… she is amazing. During one of our sessions together she presented me with what would be a lifechanging/lifeGIVING question, “why can’t you pursue photography full-time?” Through our time together she has seen, very obviously, where my passion for photography is such a dominate part of my life and she wanted to know why I am limiting myself to the schedule I have set for myself. I think more than that, she wanted ME to know why I was limiting myself to a part-time photography schedule… and honestly, the reasons I gave her made sense for as long as I can remember, until that day when I started to ask myself the same question she asked me. I haven’t been lacking the support, the talent, the drive or the ability… I have been lacking the courage. The courage to say that I WILL make photography work full-time and I WILL make more time for my daughter and I. I had been lacking a solid plan, which I hadn’t, up to that point, even considered attempting to make because it seemed so scary and crazy! Fast forward to now and I am READY for this change!
The Reset Conference, which I blogged on before (I encourage you to check that out), inspired me personally and professionally in ways that I have touched on in my blog, but also in ways that I still haven’t found adequate words to describe. It was the true PUSH that I was missing. You know when you’re facing a pretty big decision and there’s 90% joy and confidence and 10% hesitation? My 10% shattered after The Reset Conference. As I mentioned in The Reset blog, the investment made to attend was pennies to the change I am living now.
Finally, and very importantly, my friend Mallory. Lots of you know her as Mal Jack Photography because she’s the real deal here in town… but she has inspired me more than she even knows. She attended The Reset Conference last year – came home, bought a house, quit her day job, pursued her photography full-time and now books months in advance. Her boldness and determination is an inspiration to me and she has encouraged me in many ways to see the dreams I have for myself and Reagan, and to run at them head-on.
I have grown so much in 2020 and I truly love where I am at today. I am proud of who I am and am confident in my ability to do what I put my mind to. The day I gave my notice the stars truly began to align. I am grateful, thankful, blessed… and I am EXCITED and FULL of joy. I am ready. I am determined!
Personally, I couldn’t be more thrilled for the time this gives me with Reagan. In 2 short (but incredibly fast) years with her, I have learned firsthand how much of a thief time is. You know how to make that thief more detrimental? Stretch yourself in 1,800 directions. Ask me how I know.
I’m excited to know a lot less about that starting now! I am excited to travel more, have regularly scheduled mommy/Reagan days, to live out the happiness that I deserve and to have a healthier, more balanced life.
Professionally, the growth excites me! I am proud of the quality of service I have been able to provide to my clients even though my personal life felt like chaos a lot of the time. It is proof that I am committed to providing incredible experience and images as your photographer, and that I do NOT take my responsibility to my clients lightly. Balancing all that I have and still being able to be truly proud and confident in my photography is something I have worked incredibly hard to do and I am thrilled to be able to continue to give 110% to my clients, but I’m excited for the adjustment to my schedule so that I can open up so many more opportunities for my clients. I am excited for all of the change that this will bring for my business and I am eternally grateful for every client that has, and that will book with me. YOU are the real MVP… YOU are the reason this will be possible for me! And for that, I will always commit to you that your investment is wise and will be worthwhile.
My schedule will look a little something like day time in-home studio sessions (newborn & milestone) and real estate photography. Nights will consist of families, couples, engagements during the cherished golden hour and weekends will be weddings and/or mini sessions! I am thrilled, y’all!!!
Thank you for the continuous support and outpouring of love always!
Xo, Ashley
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