My Photography "Bucket List"

Every once in a while, an idea comes to me for an awesome photo shoot. Sometimes it's a scene in my head, an angle, a pose, a concept or an event. I figured I should probably write down my "bucket list" for photography so that I can keep track of it ... and you never know, you might want to collaborate and help me cross off something from my list! I'll cross them off my list as they're achieved, and will be continually adding to it.

- Home Birth. I aspire to be as awesome as Lynsey Stone!
- Paparazzi Engagement ... Being hired to stealthily catch a proposal.
- A lightning storm. I have a couple already, but I want a kick-butt one.
- Maternity boudoir (this is more geared for The Secret Pin-Up).

- Outdoor boudoir (this is more geared for The Secret Pin-Up). 
- Trash the Dress
- Couples Shoot in the rain
- Children's Shoot in the rain
- Sweet 16 Party
- Children's birthday party

Well, hello Colorado!!

Hello Colorado Springs!

I'm officially here after quite possibly the longest road trip I've ever been on. I left at 5:45am on Tuesday and didn't arrive until about 11pm local time that night ... which puts me just under 18 hours total drive time (I went from Central to Mountain time, my math isn't THAT bad!). It was supposed to be a 14 hour drive according to GPS, but ... with all the road construction, plus my four kids and two dogs, I am lucky it didn't take a week!

I am so excited to be here. I have a few sessions lined up this month all over the area, and I can just hardly wait to start. There are so many awesome shooting locations, the possibilities are just endless.

I am also very excited because Colorado Springs is such a huge military town (two Air Force bases, an Army base, the Air Force Academy and the various other military members stationed here) - I can't wait to begin booking OpLove sessions, since I am one of their official photographers.

So ... things to look forward to:

- Kids Mini Sessions in September, because who wants boring school photos that have forced smiles?
- My BIG HUGE anniversary sale.
- Announcements for Halloween and holiday card sessions.

Ahhh! So many exciting things coming this way!

Checking out our new home ...

Patriotic Pride at the July 4th celebration at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, CO

As you all know, my family and I are relocating to Colorado Springs this month (ahh!), and we took a trip down there last weekend just for fun. We were able to get a beautiful house with a perfect studio space (yay!) and got to scope out the area.

Astin Martin Car Show, July 4th celebration at the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs CO

Oh. Em. Gee. I am in LOVE with Colorado!! The Springs is absolutely gorgeous and I can NOT wait to start shooting there ... definitely a ton of opportunities in and around the city. I am trying to steer away from studio shoots (except sessions like newborns, of course) ... for those who don't know, I love being outdoors come rain or shine. I can't wait to do some fun sessions at the Garden of the Gods, Pike's Peak, even the local parks and downtown have beautiful, natural sets.

Local wildflowers, Colorado Springs, CO

I think once I get there, I'll start highlighting local places, people and businesses as I get to know Colorado Springs. In fact, I think I know the perfect person/business to start with ... hmmm!

There are no words ...

This is a little on the personal side and may be difficult for some to read, so I apologize and warn my readers in advance ......

Last week was a rough week for me. I had two last-minute shoots pop up that really affected me on both a personal and professional level ... one last family shoot for a heroic dog (that blog will come soon) and a shoot that words can't even begin to describe - a sleeping angel.

I received a call early last Friday morning from a friend of mine, explaining that one of her good friends had lost her full-term baby and she asked me to come to the hospital (with the family's permission), to come capture a few moments with their child. I knew that if the situation were reversed, I would want someone to do this for me - my heart absolutely broke for this family, and of course I knew I had to go, no matter what. I talked with a few of my photographer friends and with their encouragement, I looked up sites like Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep so I could grasp what I was going to do for this family - I have never done anything like this before and knew it wouldn't be like any other shoot I've ever done in the 15+ years I've been behind a camera.

It's an hour of my life that really - I think changed me, both personally and professionally. I had never met these two wonderful, warm-hearted people before ... but I went and took some pictures of their beautiful baby, them holding him, his tiny little fingers. I cried nearly the entire time, cried with them, silently praying for strength and healing for their family. I was there not as Ashley the photographer - but as Ashley the human, the woman, the mother, and I think that it shows through the pictures. It was entirely new way of looking through the lens.

My heart is still aching from that short hour with this family and they are in my continued prayers ... I am forever changed as a mother and photographer after this shoot. It was definitely one of the hardest things I've ever done - ever - but I hope that what I was able to do will help their family heal.