Meet Ashley Moore | Mom & Photographer

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

Hi Ashley, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
As I was getting into photography it took a lot of trial and error for me to learn to balance my work-life and my family-life. When I became a mom I didn’t want to jump right back into a job because I was scared of missing important moments with my son. As my business grew, my excitement did as well and I overwhelmed myself with work way too quickly. After about a month I took a step back and realized that while my business is important, this is time I will never get back with my kiddos. Since then I’ve limited myself to only scheduling photoshoots on certain days, giving myself plenty of time to edit, and sometimes even bringing my son to shoots with me when I’m able to! It may seem like an inconvenience to some now, but as time goes on I know I’ll be thankful for those moments in the midst of a busy work season.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a kid, I walked around everywhere with a little digital camera and took pictures of everything that brought me joy. It wasn’t about the angle of the picture or if the lighting was right, it was about capturing the emotion in that moment. I’d like to think I’ve kept that same mindset as I’ve gotten older. Of course now the lighting and angle of the photos are important, but my favorite pictures are the ones where you can feel the warmth and love beaming from the expressions being captured. The most important things to me in a photoshoot are making sure everyone feels confident and comfortable in front of the camera, and making it a fun, memorable experience for everyone involved. Sometimes that means jumping in mud puddles with little ones or chasing around a family dog to get the perfect photo, but I’ll take that over stiff poses and forced smiles any day!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My first priority would be to give them the full Colorado adventure experience. From four wheeling, to rock climbing and backpacking. Colorado has some of the best scenery for those who love the outdoors (and an adrenaline rush). I’d start by White Water rafting the Arkansas river right outside of Buena Vista, then head back toward Colorado Springs and enjoy the diverse food scene thought out Downtown COS and Old Colorado City. Some of my favorites include Tapateria, a Spanish tapas bar with a beautiful ambiance, and Jack Quinns, an Irish pub with a fun environment and great live music from local bands. I’d finish the week off with a trip to Meow Wolf in Denver, and maybe even catch a Colorado Avalanche game at Ball Arena.

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?
My husband is my biggest supporter, he has always encouraged me to pursue my passion, and will drop everything in a second to help me with whatever I may need. People in my community have been so open to giving a new photographer a chance at developing their skill set and portfolio. My closest friends and family have always been there to model for my practice shoots, or give me an outside perspective on my work. My dad has taught me so much about business and hard work from a young age, and he’s always there to answer my questions and teach me the ins and outs of being an entrepreneur. My son is the driving force behind what I do, he is my motivation to try harder and do better every single day. That being said, none of this would be possible without the love, encouragement, and support from the village of people around me.

Website: https://astervalleyphotography.pic-time.com/client

Instagram: @AsterValleyPhotography

Facebook: Aster Valley Photography

Other: Email – AsterValleyPhotography@gmail.com

Image Credits
Ashley Moore Aster Valley Photography