Forest + Falls

I can’t shake that something inside of me is blossoming. Last week, I embarked on my first ever photography workshop at Forest + Falls. In the middle of nowhere, Tennessee, I thought I was going to learn tricks to make my work better, and maybe figure out how to be more productive. 

Instead, I pulled from the experience an overwhelming feeling of affirmation that love and emotion should be the focus of what I do. I realized that there’s a reason I’m more connected to the clients I invite to my home or have coffee/drinks with. I understand now that the images that make me feel things are the images I should put out into the world more so than the ones that just look pretty. I got to connect with people and I used my camera way less than I thought I would.

I’m really excited about moving forward with this reconnection to emotions and connection. I feel so lucky to get to do this work and I love being able to take photographs that hang on walls or go in albums for a lifetime.

For a while I was getting disheartened that the images I connected with weren’t doing well on social media, but now I see that it doesn’t really matter. I am sentimental and I am going to cry at weddings. I’m going to try to figure out who you really are. I get to take images that matter because I believe the people I’m shooting have stories to tell and I’m there with my camera, ready to listen. 

It’s about moments. 
It’s about movement.
It’s about the people you love and all you’ve been through with them.
It’s about the people you love and all you’ll go through with them.
It’s about the intense urge we feel to be connected to one another.
It’s about the pull I feel to capture meaningful imagery. 
It’s about life. 
It’s about love.
It’s about us. All of us. 

xo,
Ashley