Ashley Vanley started her photography business when she was still in high school.
She’s a Colorado native and living in North Dakota with her family.
Her favorite holiday by far is Christmas
Her favorite hobbies include hiking, traveling & sewing.
If she wasn’t a photographer she would love to be a musician or make art like pottery or blown glass.
Her favorite food is sushi or any asian cuisine.
She loves black and white photography because it’s timeless.
I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, I have lived in many places including South Africa and Australia. I now live in North Dakota and shoot weddings local to my area and occasionally travel for weddings. Thirteen is my lucky number because when I was thirteen years old I got my first camera and dabbled in photography which soon became my focus and passion. That same year I met a boy that moved into my neighborhood and he later came my best friend and husband. I was a sophomore in high school when I first began getting more serious about taking pictures, just some fun snap shots on family vacations and overseas trips. I then started booking senior photo shoots I never gave up on my dream to become a wedding photographer one day after years of hard work my business took off and I ran with it!
I really enjoyed saving beauty in a photograph, noticing a beautiful sunset or a exciting moment. I also fell in love with editing my photos and giving others joy through the finished product.
In photography I was always willing to learn more and grow in my craft. I joined PhotogenX, a photography ministry in Kona, Hawaii. After that amazing experience I knew I wanted to get into the wedding industry, because I have always loved weddings and bridal photography.
My husband Aaron and I secretly eloped in December of 2009, we were enjoying lunch at our favorite place, Chipotle. While we were eating our burritos. I asked him, "what do you want to do today?" He replied, "Lets get married!" and thats how it happened...Six months later we publicly tied the knot and had a big ceremony in Colorado Springs. Our story isn't very traditional but it was spontaneous, and a wonderful memory!
We then moved to Australia to become missionaries for a short time. Working in Thailand teaching english and doing projects in the red light district. I was able to grow in my photography while traveling and meeting new people along the way. These new photos gave me the opportunity to develop my photojournalism edge. I have had the opportunity to photograph destination weddings while traveling. We lived on the East coast for a time and I shoot weddings in places I never expected and sometimes booked 3 weddings in a weekend!
We currently live in Minot, North Dakota my husband is in the Air Force. (That’s what brought us to the cold!) and we have two children that might just be my second shooters someday!
For the bride looking for a photographer- I know it may seem overwhelming with all of the decisions and planning... just remember its about you and your fiancé spending the rest of your lives together. With choosing vendors make sure they are people you connect with so you can feel at ease and comfortable on your special day!
I enjoy meeting new people and working with great wedding vendors. I believe every bride deserves beautiful photographs of her wedding day. I enjoy the challenge of pulling out the brides personality and beauty in images. Thank you for viewing my work!
-Ashley
My interview with Voyage Denver-
