Columbia SC Beauty Photography | A Little Bit About Me
December 12, 2013So, earlier this week I promised to share a little bit about my personal story and why I do what I do. Before I get to that, I want to extend an invitation to everyone to join me at the studio, Bijou, at 716 Santee Avenue on Saturday 4-7pm for a holiday celebration along with my 5 Points business neighbors. I will be offering a tour of the studio, refreshments, including chrysanthemums (prosecco and cranberry juice), some savories, and an incredible sale on sessions (and gift certificates) only available at the celebration! Please join us! We would love to see you there!
Since I opened the studio this April, I have had a lot of questions from people about my new session offerings. Some people may not even be aware of all the change my business has gone through this year and some have but want to know more. I will start by saying that I still offer child and baby photography and love seeing my clients’ children. However, my studio’s main focus has shifted to providing a one of a kind makeover and session experience for all women. This is not something brand new for me. Years ago I offered “women’s sessions” and worked with a talented makeup artist to offer makeup applications and photo sessions for a very reasonable fee. I loved working with women in this way. I found there were quite a few obstacles that I just didn’t know how to overcome at the time, however, and my focus shifted to children, family, and babies specifically. I always thought that eventually I would offer a unique session experience for women again.
Let me detour a little here and just give you some background on me:) I love the arts! I have a heavy arts background. I was surrounded by music from the moment I was born. My father was a music professor and choral director and my mother was a music professor and vocal coach. So, do I sing? You bet! I was classically trained and sang in many choirs and was second chair first soprano in All State during high school. I studied voice in college as well and sang in my father’s choir that I listened to for so many years as a child, once even performing in Notre Dame cathedral with them. When I left college, I joined up with some talented musicians and became the lead singer of a hard rock band. Yes…..very different from my classical music training but I loved rock too from an early age and my parents never discouraged that. I don’t think it was their plan for me to hit the road fronting a hard rock band though;)
I also loved dance. I started ballet at the age of 3 and by 13 was auditioning for scholarships to prestigious dance schools. I took a scholarship and moved in with a sponsor family while attending ballet school in Texas for a time. Even though I later decided ballet was not going to be my career path and left the school and went home to my family, I still studied dance through high school and college for fitness. And I still love attending the ballet. And I am thankful for the grace and flexibility and determination it taught me.
You might wonder why I told you these things and what they have to do with a photography session. I believe this life experience taught me things about being in the spotlight, and performing, and connecting with an “audience”. Those experiences taught me about body movement, grace, and line…about how you can sometimes tell a bit of a story with the movement of your body. And I use that experience when working with women to create a beautiful and powerful image. I don’t just tell my clients how I want them to pose. I often get down on the floor or lean against a wall, shifting weight and twisting my body and placing my hands and demonstrating to my subject exactly what to do.
Also, don’t be surprised if you hear me singing away as I prepare the studio for a shoot! Music is always a part of our session experience and clients ALWAYS get to pick the playlist.
The reason I wanted to open the studio and start working with women again is because I wanted to empower women. After I had my daughter, my life’s most precious blessing, I went through a time where I kind of lost myself. I forgot, much of the time, to nurture my own spirit and celebrate my own life outside of just being a mom. I neglected myself in many ways during my 30s. I stopped pursuing a physical outlet for my energy. I neglected my body. I also deprived myself of little things that would have brought me joy. I felt guilty for spending time or money on myself. And there were times where I would rebel against this. I once took up ice skating as an adult and started private lessons. I LOVED my time ice skating and was becoming fit again. But as stresses mounted due to a lack of time to get all the things done that I felt needed accomplished, I decided to let go of that outlet…..that ME time. I’m sure I could have worked through it if I had really tried and found a way to keep that passion alive. But the guilt I felt about family or business life suffering due to my ME time was more than I wanted to deal with. And so I began to neglect myself again. And this was a real cycle with me. I did not value just plain old me enough. I was only of value and worth effort when viewed in my relationship to someone else. And this transferred over to being photographed as well. It was not worth the time, effort, or money to have portraits made of just ME. I would only be photographed in relation to my position in my family. So until recently, my last REAL portrait was a bridal portrait. I cannot tell you how frequently I hear this from my clients as well. Actually, no. I can’t even say that. That was a photograph taken of me by myself at my wedding but I never actually had a Bridal Session. So I guess my last portrait session for just me…..in relation to no one else…..was for my senior high school portrait. Until now. And yes I have heard that from women I have photographed before too. And I think it is so sad that we aren’t celebrating the amazing women that we are and are not leaving behind beautiful professional portraits of ourselves as vibrant, beautiful ADULT women for our families to cherish! And by the way, I am excluding snapshots and business headshots, because that’s not what I am talking about here.
Now DO NOT get me wrong…..the time I spent with my family was fabulous and wonderful and a gift and I was happy to be with them. BUT, I was a mother and a wife and a business owner but I wasn’t much of just plain old me. I know I could have been an even better mother and wife and daughter and sister and business owner and friend and all those other things if I had also allowed myself to be just me sometimes too…to explore my interests, to nurture my mind and body, and to give myself more outlets.
I do believe that photography became my career because of one of those rebellions. It was a creative outlet that became so much more. For years I worked passionately at child and baby photography. And while I still provide that service, the shift has now moved to empowering women through photography and helping them express themselves in beautiful ways. My fabulous friends/makeup artists & hairstylists/session stylists/business associates/partners in crime have worked with me this year to provide this service in a way that is very meaningful to my clients. And although I knew this work was important to me, I did not realize all that I would receive from this work. You see, pouring my energy into making my clients look and feel amazing, powerful, beautiful and sexy has had a surprising effect on me. All my intention is being mirrored back at me! I didn’t know it would happen, but I feel empowered too from these sessions! I feel beautiful and sexy and strong too! I am learning to love my curves! What a gift! And I am now on my own new fitness path that has only served to strengthen my conviction in the work! I am dancing and working with a trainer and have changed my diet completely. It’s a new path for me and I am just as dedicated to me now as every other commitment in my life. And I am inspired by my clients daily. I am forever changed and challenged by their internal strength and beauty. I can only hope my work has this much impact on them as well. I have been told by many of them that it has been a powerful experience for them and I am humbled and grateful for that information.
OK, so…..there I am. That’s me. That’s how I feel about the work I do. That is my desire for ALL of my clients. That is the passion you can expect from me.
I’ll post again soon and go over all the session options and experience in as much detail as I can. I know this post is a little heavy on the “about me” aspect, but I believe you WANT to know who you will be working so closely with and what she stands for. And hopefully now you do:)
To end tonight, I’m sharing a few images taken during a “recharging the creative battery” shoot that my partners and I participated in a few nights ago at the studio. We came up with ideas for how we wanted to be photographed. We transformed and shot ourselves and had a wonderful time doing it. For my part, I was a shoe diva, because I am one just as much as I can be. When shopping for new clothes I can ALWAYS find a new shoe that makes me feel amazing….even if I cannot find anything else. And of course, I was a songbird. And I celebrated me! Here are some images from that night. Enjoy.
Amber: Beautiful <3
Kelly Heitman: Thank you so much for sharing your heart and passion with us. You are a blessing in my life and, I know for sure, many others!
Audrey: Beautiful! I'm so glad you're photographing what you love. Thanks for sharing your passion and why you do what you do. You're such an encouragement!
Reshma: Absolutely loved getting to know Ashley Ward! these images are rockin' and you are empowering!! Keep on keepin' on !!! Thanks so much for sharing your story with us. It helps people connect to you, and your passion. P.S: Had no idea you had a killer singing voice. That is pretty great!!
harde schijf recovery software: I am really loving the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility issues? A number of my blog visitors have complained about my website not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Chrome. Do you have any suggestions to help fix this issue?
Dallas Texas headshot photographer: My spouse and I stumbled over here different page and thought I might as well check things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to looking at your web page for a second time.
Glamour Me Studio Glamour Me Studio Glamour Me Studio: My partner and I absolutely love your blog and find nearly all of your post's to be exactly I'm looking for. can you offer guest writers to write content in your case? I wouldn't mind creating a post or elaborating on a lot of the subjects you write in relation to here. Again, awesome blog!
vans cab lite syndicate: I every time used to read paragraph in news papers but now as I am a user of internet thus from now I am using net for posts, thanks to web.
Shoshana: Fantastic site. Plenty of helpful info here. I'm sending it to a few pals ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you to your effort!
Edmundo: Right now it seems like Movable Type is the top blogging platform out there right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you are using on your blog?
Maritime Flagging Consultants: You could certainly see your expertise in the work you write. The sector hopes for even more passionate writers like you who are not afraid to mention how they believe. At all times go after your heart.
No Sick Fish Ich Treatment: I'm no longer positive where you're getting your info, however great topic. I must spend some time finding out more or understanding more. Thank you for fantastic info I was on the lookout for this info for my mission.
Arron: I read a lot of interesting content here. Probably you spend a lot of time writing, i know how to save you a lot of time, there is an online tool that creates readable, google friendly posts in seconds, just search in google - laranitas free content source
truck dealers in Valdosta ga: An impressive share! I've just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little homework on this. And he in fact bought me breakfast because I stumbled upon it for him... lol. So allow me to reword this.... Thank YOU for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to talk about this subject here on your website.
Whole House Water Filtration Systems Illinois: I have read so many posts concerning the blogger lovers except this post is actually a pleasant article, keep it up.
films porno amateurs: Puis-je copuer plusieurѕ paragraphes sur mon site ?
Beverly: If you are going for best contents like I do, simply visit this website daily for the reason that it gives feature contents, thanks
22 inch tv: I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This piece of writing posted at this web site is truly nice.
sexe interracial: Je suis tombé sur tonn poste ρar chance et puis jee ne le regrette pas !!!
bridge aquarium decor penn: Aw, this was an extremely nice post. Finding the time and actual effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I put things off a lot and don't manage to get anything done.
cash advance: fth casino blackjack k03 casino deposit bsp borrow money 777 loans for people with bad credit xim bad credit loans guaranteed approval uhz personal loans for bad credit nii no credit check loans 6qo online payday loans ri8 same day loans x5f payday loans direct lenders only wbp bad credit personal loans cls personal loans for people with bad credit gb1 loans with no credit check uv9 short term loans rwq installment loans for bad credit i3b unsecured personal loans mir i need money kh3 unsecured loans dgz fast cash vo9 online loans no credit check hml cash advance loans tpz fast money pqw mobile loans 6ug no credit check personal loans olu no credit check payday loans zyb cheap loans 58l direct lender payday loans
video Triolisme: On remaгԛue imméԁiatement que vous maîtrisez bien ce sujet
buy facebook fans: hi people I are afflicted by mass confusion so many thanks for keeping the online world good. Decent reading. Nice blog design too. continue your great work.
site de cul: Bon ρost, j'en parlerai demain avec mes voisins
blog porno amateur: Jе suis arriνéesur ce site internet pɑr mégarde puis јe ne le regrette nullement !!
jeune salope: Un ցrand merci au webmaster du site internet
sexe gonzo: Je terminerai ԁe jeter un coup d'oeil à tout cela plus tard
video de Sexe gratuit: Euhhh êtes vous ϲertain de ce qque voսus écrivez ??
gros mamelons: Bon je n'аi pas eu le temps de terminmer dе regarder mais je revins dans la journée
blonde chaude: Incroyablement intéressant, selon moi ϲe pose іntéresserait mon mec
vieille blondasse: Jе suis clairement en équation avec toi
budowanie marki w internecie: I know this web site provides quality based content and other stuff, is there any other web page which presents such information in quality?
Kristofer Vonruden: I was very thrilled to locate this situate taking place yahoo.I wished to say several gratitude to you with regard to this clear read!! I definitelyliked every little fragment of it and I've you bookmarked to look into new stuff you post.
Stanton Marchello: Through my examine, shopping for gadgets online may ensue with no trouble expensive, then again here are some tips and tricks that you can get through to acquire the greatest offers. Here are repeatedly customs to find concession offers that could help to compose one to procure the finest electronics products on the negligible prices. Exciting blog post.
Grady Brogan: When I firstly commented I clicked the -Notify me when original interpretation are added- checkbox and instantly all period a comment is added I get four emails with the unchanged mention. Is near a few way you can do away with me from that service? Thanks!
Johnny Wingerson: Its like you read my mind! You seem to know thus a good deal regarding this, such as youwrote the e book in it otherwise something. I weigh up that you could achieve with somep.c. to constrain the message cottage a insignificant fragment, except instead ofthat, that is fantastic blog. A fantasticread. I will without doubt be real back.
Jeanie Min: There are thousands of blogs that requires comments on them. What is the intention of blog comments?
Israel Khalifah: Hi fantastically vast position you've obstinate cheery. I loved now posting. Second-hand to want to develop some state to share with you the kindly of this website is same aesthetically captivating. I'm the clear designer, instantly I will be a copy editor merely on behalf of a firm. We've constantly enjoyed playing approximately with information processing systems as well as am irritating to learn notebook code period i have event (which near is never sufficient lol).
Teena Hammond: You are my intake, I have few blogs and occasionally trickle absent beginning send . "Tis the most tender carve up of adore, all additional to forgive." by John Sheffield.
Tamala Emshwiller: Thank you for the data, a great deal appreciated !
femme mure chaude: Jе suis tout à fait d'accord avec vous
film xxx avec une prostitué black: Tгès bon post : j'en parlerai pluѕ tard avec mes potes
porno violent: Օn va vous dire գue ce n'est guère faux ...
dvd pornographique: Un important merci à l'admin ԁu blog
Moj Zubar: hi!,I like your wriuting very much! share we be in cohtact extra about your article on AOL? I need a specialist on this house to resolve my problem. Maybe that's you! Taking a look forward to peer you.
elago stylus iphones replaceable: I'm really enjoying the theme/design of your website. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility issues? A handful of my blog visitors have complained about my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Firefox. Do you have any ideas to help fix this issue?
Coralee: It's awesome in favor of me to have a web site, which is beneficial for my know-how. thanks admin
Saran Beltran: It’s laborious to seek out educated people on this topic, however you sound like you recognize what you’re talking about! Thanks
Madalyn Holgersen: There are some attention-grabbing cut-off dates in this article however I don’t know if I see all of them middle to heart. There's some validity but I will take hold opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more! Added to FeedBurner as properly
Claretta Lascano: Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this additionally – taking time and precise effort to make an excellent article… however what can I say… I procrastinate alot and on no account appear to get one thing done.
Bing: Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
https://zoya8wisp.wordpress.com/2016/07/13/omate-truesmart-watch-comes-tidy-does-not-have-shadow-fight-2-play-or-shadow-fight-2-solutions-assistance: The stock Google android battery make use of menu are a good idea, but it only tells part of the story.
Guia de historia de electrodomesticos: Cuando un usuario quiere buscar un servicio oficial donde reparar su electrodoméstico en buscadores como Google, es muy probable que acabe en un taller pirata”. Hoy día hay muchas probabilidades de que, por su estilo de vida, utilice internet para localizar un servicio técnico oficial Edesa donde arreglar su lavadora. Recuerda que todos nuestros trabajos de reparacion de aire acondicionado tienen garantia por escrito.
Bob Klaft: 11/2/2016 @ 08:25:50: lorem ipsum ashleywardphotography.com
Carmen Fava: 11/2/2016 @ 10:11:56: lorem ipsum ashleywardphotography.com
wot online gold generator: To rectify this, today with regards to CyanogenMod it seems some big news is emerging.
https://chervonnayasofya.wordpress.com: It will remain free and open up source beneath the Apache License always, Version 2.0.