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

Hi Ashley, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
When I first started my business, I didn’t set boundaries. I had a scarcity mindset to where I thought I had to be available to people 24/7 in order for my business to survive. This led to severe burnout, and a hard look at my work life balance. I think sometimes people forget that small business owners, especially those with a service based business, are people too, just like them. It’s okay for us to take vacations, set days off to spend with our families, and just have time to step away and unplug from our work. It can be difficult at times, to make sure you are juggling and balancing everything adequately, so that both work and home lives don’t suffer. I personally do a quarterly goal reflection, to ensure I am adhering to my boundaries I have set for my business, so that I don’t experience severe burnout again.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My photography is more than just photos. It’s an immersive experience, in which every session is customized to each client, to showcase who they are. My vibes are bold, colorful, vibrant yet moody, filled with whimsy and weird. My main goal is to empower people through my photos and films, whether its a new mom embracing her body, a senior wanting to showcase their personality, or a business owner showing off what they do!

I have gotten to where I am today with a lot of sweat and tears; running your own business is not for the faint of heart y’all! The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is imposter syndrome, and constantly feeling like I wasn’t good enough to charge my worth. That is a common issue in this industry, and now I help mentor a lot of other photographers to be able to charge enough to have not only a self sustainable legal and profitable business, but also pay themselves a fair living wage.

My brand is an inclusive business, where everyone is welcome. I want to help everyone’s light shine; we are all queens here.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh La Junta…whenever I go into the big city, and tell people I live in La Junta, they always say ‘oh I’m sorry!’ Haha. But I’m not! It’s a little gem, in the desert plains of SE Colorado, and mountain adjacent (the silhouettes at sunset are stunning)! The Canyons south of town are so peaceful and quiet. They are my favorite place to go to just sit and breathe in the beauty, as well as do some hiking adventures. The Colorado skies just gleam in all it’s glory. Further south, there are even dinosaur tracks you can access on a super long hike. In the fall, we have a tarantula migration, that brings people from near and far. It’s so fascinating to watch them scurry across the country roads! We have a cute little local frozen yogurt shop called SoCo FroYo that is in the same building as my studio, and I’m addicted to their Boba Teas! By far, my favorite sit down Mexican restaurant is Mexico City, but if you are hankering for a snack in the middle of the night, Lucy’s Tacos is where it’s at. If it is during late summer, we would definitely be hitting up the farmer’s markets for some famous Rocky Ford melons, and popping by The Coffea Shop for a refreshing drink (the basil lemonade is to die for!). I always take my friends to Elm Avenue Collective to get some handmade jewelry and hand poured candles, as well as A Touch of Earth to snag some crystals! Scaff Brothers has the BEST bbq sauce, as well as a signature cantaloupe salsa that is so delicious. When my parents are in town, they love taking my boys to a movie at our newly restored Fox Theatre. When we are feeling fancy-like, dinner and drinks at The Fairway are a must!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to my family for always going along with whatever shenanigans my business may bring, whether its adventuring around location scouting, painting the studio, or dealing with my unpredictable schedule, they are always my biggest fans. I would also like to take the time to thank my local community for embracing me in such a short time, and allowing me to spread my wings and grow into a luxury photography brand.

Website: www.ashleybassphotography.com

Instagram: ashleybassphotography

Twitter: theboudoirsociety

Facebook: ashleybassphotography

Other: www.theboudoirsociety.com instagram.com/theboudoirsociety facebook.com/theboudoirsociety

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