I’m Ashley and I am a branding, commercial, and headshot photographer based in Norman, OK.
A few words I use to describe myself:
DIYer, wanderluster, adventurer, neurodivergent AF, ENFP, dinosaur enthusiast, feminist, LGBTQ, lant mom, coffee lover, light chaser, hippie, dreamer, believer, music maker, cat lady, foodie.
I love glitter, neutral colored clothing, changing my hair every month or so, a good road trip, and cold, snuggly fall nights by a fireplace. With a sweater. Also, a warm beverage. And like, mood lighting and maybe some poetry. I love to build things and I’m also obsessed with nail polish.
My pronouns are she/her but I’ll answer to hey you, Ash, Ashley, Smash and I respond anytime anyone says “Actually.”
You can usually find me playing my ukulele, singing Taylor Swift at the top of my lungs, drinking a Starbucks while aimlessly wandering around Target (pre-pandemic, Covid really helped me embrace my introverted side), or watching van conversion videos on Youtube for hours on end.
I do my dishes by hand and I can’t make a decision to save my life.
I spend a lot of my time wishing that I was in the mountains or somewhere where it’s crisp and cool every morning.
I’m a bitter, but hopeless romantic at heart and I like to spread kindness like wildfire.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I am a single mom with two daughters (8 & 10) and three crazy cattos.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a commercial photographer based in downtown Norman. I love helping business builders connect with their ideal clients by creating non cheesy, authentic and intentional branding photos and headshots.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
Victoria’s, Scratch, Benvenuti’s, Dancing Crab!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
11 years
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Iceland. I’ve always found the landscape breathtaking, and I have big dreams to see the Northern lights. Traveling is my not so guilty pleasure though, so I’d really go anywhere. I do prefer big mountains over beaches.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Princess Bride. I have a tattoo dedicated to it. New Girl and Broad City are my two comfort tv shows. I could watch them over and over.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Growth is never inside your comfort zone. You comfort zone is important but getting outside of that is where the magic happens.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I want to see every corner of this world. I also have dreams of road-tripping Pan-American Highway.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Oh gosh. Music was my safe space from the time I was a wee little lady. Choosing is tough, but I tend to vibe out to ARIZONA, TSwift, The Beatles, & Mumford, to name a few. Pop, Dance Pop, & Bluegrass
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Honestly, this is like asking me what my favorite song is. How can you choose?
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I know everyone says this, but Norman is great because it has a small-town vibe with everything you’d need from the city.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully doing something similar to what I’m doing now but on a much larger scale. Traveling more often. Meeting new people, visiting new places.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I’m not sure there’s anything anyone doesn’t know about me. I’m an open book. Answering questions and having conversations is my favorite thing to do.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
Pagosa Springs, Colorado and all the areas surrounding it.
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
October, Halloween, January 31 (my birthday!)
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Food.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My kiddos. Learning to be a gentler parent has helped me to become a better human all around.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Campfire and the small of this very specific sweet grass that grows in southeastern Oklahoma in the spring.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
comfort, peace, happy
