colorado wedding & lifestyle photographer
My name is Ashley.
I think my mom got my name from an Irish soap opera. As an empath, I just can't help but feel it all. I found my desire to tell people's stories when I was in high school. This led to a degree in photojournalism at the University of Montana. I've been telling people's stories for 20 plus years. The mountains are home and always will be.
My heart pounds when I cross state lines. I feel everything around me - being on a deserted highway, alone in my car, listening to heart tugging country music, and witnessing the empty terrain brings me solace, and great joy. My perfect rapture. The road is where I like to think; about my life, where I've been, where I've gone and where I want to go. Gratitude overcomes me, as I deeply appreciate the people and moments with which I've been blessed.
My middle name is Rhian [pronounced Ryan]
I spent most of my 20s exploring some of the world on foot and most of the country by car.
I knew I was loved by a great man
the perfect man for me
My husband and I met while I was traveling up the Pacific Highway in 2008.
Years later, we had our first date in Sturgis, South Dakota at the end of winter in 2014. He reached out to me on social media (classic) and we spoke on the phone for many hours a day for weeks that turned into months. We decided to meet in the middle of our two locations at the time, which was Sturgis, SD, of all places. I drove 9 plus hours to see him again. We visited a cemetery in Deadwood to see old cowboy gravestones, stepped inside vacant touristy motorcycle shops, and drove to Dairy Queen in a blizzard to get an oreo blizzard.
While we drove, an Alanis Morisette song popped up on the radio and he sung his heart out. Sounds silly, but I knew I was in love with him then. I can't explain it, but when you know you just know. I could be myself. I wasn't scared. Our jokes matched. I knew I was loved by a great man, the perfect man for me. Now my happy place is in a chair, with a cold summer drink in hand, my husband right next to me while we watch our sons explore the wilderness that is our backyard.
