Meet Ashley Valone | Lifestyle Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Valone and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
1) Owning my own style: the photography industry is heavily saturated. When I first got started, there were many styles that I was drawn to. Sometimes I would venture away from my own style because I wanted my work to look more like so-and-so. Over time, I’ve developed my own unique look that I stick to and I love. The consistency in my work allows my clients to know what to expect when they book with me.

2) Community over competition: I’ve developed some great relationships with other local photographers that truly support each other within the community. I love following along and celebrating the accomplishments of my fellow photographers in Colorado Springs and beyond!

3) Being open to learning: While I do have endless hours of experience and training in photography, I love constantly learning. As a creative, I believe it’s important to view the process of my career as a journey with new opportunity around every corner.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
The journey to becoming a professional photographer included lots of learning followed by even more practice. I obsessed with learning everything there was to know about photography. For a period of time, it was all I focused on. I invested in many courses and classes that catered to both the technical side of photography as well as the lifestyle look that I really loved. Even now, I continue to grow in my skills daily.

My style is all about capturing connection and real life. Sometimes not everyone looks at the camera – that’s fine, I actually prefer it! During family sessions, I love to have kids play ring-around-the-rosy or run through a field. It often encourages lots of giggles, which are great! I aim to capture people being themselves and I’m most proud of my images that simply show life happening in real time. Whether its a wedding, family or newborn session, my hope is that my clients enjoy the experience, are relaxed and have fun!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Homa Cafe at Kinship Landing is a great spot for brunch. It has a boho-chic style, plenty of seating and great natural light. If you are a fan of Kombucha, they have it on tap.

Cheyenne Mountain – I absolutely love the drive up Cheyenne Canon Road and down Gold Camp Road. Its gorgeous anytime of year. There are so many beautiful pull offs where you can hike and explore. Helen Hunt Falls is an especially gorgeous spot to take a break or enjoy a picnic lunch. Beyond that, the tunnels at the top of Gold Camp Road are really cool, just be careful when driving through as they are very narrow! Near the top of the mountain, there are epic views of the city below. Depending on the weather, you might find yourself in the clouds at this elevation! If you decide to take this scenic drive, there are plenty of great photo ops along the way.

Manitou Springs is an artsy, quirky part of town. You never know what you might see strolling through the streets. If you’re feeling ambitious, I’d suggest climbing the incline – basically a long flight of big steps, one mile straight up!

Parry’s Taphouse and Pizzeria off Interquest Parkway – get a table on the second floor for an incredible view of the front range. They also have the best gluten free pizza, in my opinion. My favorite is the Five Boroughs.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ashlee Weaver (Ashlee Kay Photography) – her mentorship and mentor group really helped me grow in my photography skills. She helped me connect with other photographers and develop a network.

Website: www.ashleyvalonephotography.com

Instagram: instagram.com/ashleyvalonephotography

Facebook: facebook.com/ashleyvalonephotography