Meet Ashleigh Petters | Photographer and Business Owner

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

Hi Ashleigh, why did you pursue a creative career?
I wanted to pursue photography as a career because I have always loved photography. I first got interested in it when I was young. I saved money to buy digital cameras and took photos of everything and anything. I eventually got to assist my friends mom on her sessions and that’s where I really learned more about photography (well as much as a 15 year old could at the time!). When I got into high school I took a film photography class and I absolutely loved it. I learned to develop my own film, how to use light creatively and how to get a good shot! I eventually moved to Southern Germany where I knew I wanted to start documenting my travels and share the photos online. So I created my own travel and lifestyle blog. I invested in my first DSLR (a Nikon D3300) and really started to learn the ins and outs of photography. I used that camera for about 1 year for my blog and one day (with the help of my husband Stefan) I just decided to start my own business. I figured out a few niches that I knew I liked and just dove in head first. Only a few months after starting my business I started booking more consistently and was actually making a profit. I started to niche down and my business just started taking off. I love absolutely every single second of my job. I love meeting new people, exploring new places, I love being creative, and I loving making my clients eyes light up when they see their photos for the first time. This is why I love what I do.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am most proud of starting my own business in the middle of the pandemic and getting it to grow where I wanted it to be. It was not easy building my business to where it is today. It was a lot of hard work, self doubt, upset clients, debt, and a lot personal struggles. I started my business in a country where my main clientele were only English speaking since my German wasn’t good enough to maintain the level of conversation needed during my sessions.

I have learned that you can’t please everyone. Even if your photos look exactly how they are shown on your website or social media, there will still be people who say they don’t like that editing style and want something completely different. There will also be people who don’t believe you’re good enough or worth the money. Know what you’re worth. I know I am worth what I charge and I know I am a good photographer. Otherwise people wouldn’t want to work with me!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I just moved to Colorado I don’t know any of the good spots yet so I’ll talk about my home back in Germany!

If my best friend came to Germany I would take her to a couple of my favorite castles which are Schloss Hollenzollern and Schloss Neuschwanstein. I would also stop by the local castle, Schloss Solitude in Stuttgart. I would take her to my favorite sushi place in downtown Boeblingen and then get gelato at my favorite place in Stuttgart Schlossplatz. We would go on a scenic drive through the Black Forest and maybe visit a couple of thermal springs along the way. We would take lots of walks through the surrounding forests and if she came at the right time we would go to Stuttgarts version of Oktoberfest which is called Wasen.

There are so many beautiful and wonderful places to visit in Germany, it would be hard to fit everything in one week but these are just a few things we would definitely be doing.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this to my amazing husband Stefan. Without his love and support my business wouldn’t be where it is today. He pushed me to keep going when I felt like going up and he celebrated every single milestone I hit. I love him and I am so grateful to have him in my life.

Website: www.ashleighpettersphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashleigh.petters.photography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/asheighpettersphotography

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvaxFsylZnHNbWb_QnD3NLw