We recently connected with Ashley Redding and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley , thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
Generosity, is huge for me. Growing up, my family didn’t have much, but looking back, we didn’t need much. The older I get, the more I recognize that generosity doesn’t just come in monetary form, but also from your actions. My generosity comes from recognizing that if I, myself need kindness and some form of help at times, I need to give that to others too. My parents gave all they could and more, there have been hard times for my little family – such as my son catching his leg on fire and the community came together to support our family. I absolutely love being able to give to others what is given to me + more and seeing that sparkle, if even a little in their eyes while feeling the warmth of someone’s kindness.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a proud mom of two teenage boys and a devoted wife, wearing many hats in my bustling life. I manage a cozy coffee shop, support my husband in running his lawn care business, and I’m also the creative mind behind my photography business.
My journey began in culinary school, where I dreamed of owning my own coffee shop. However, as life unfolded, my focus shifted to family and supporting my husband’s entrepreneurial aspirations. While that was rewarding, I soon realized I needed to nurture my own creative side. When I shared my feelings with my husband, he surprised me with my first camera, igniting a passion for photography.
What started as capturing candid moments of my boys quickly blossomed into a thriving business. Today, I specialize in offering true-to-life sessions that highlight the beauty of your memories. My current favorite is the ‘Paint with Me Minis’ — a fun-filled experience where families create art together, resulting in not just stunning photographs but laughter and cherished memories.
I am excited to continue this journey, blending my love for coffee, family, and photography into a fulfilling life. Let’s capture your best moments together!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Creativity – A Photographer needs to have a keen eye for composition, lighting and a unique perspective. Creativity allows them to capture images that tell a story or evoke emotions.
2. Technical Skill – Understanding camera settings, lighting conditions and post processing techniques is essential. A skilled photographer knows how to manipulate these elements to achieve the desired effects.
3. Patience and Perseverance – Photography often requires waiting for the perfect moment, whether it’s capturing a fleeting expression or the right lighting. Patience and the ability to keep trying until getting the desired shot are crucial for success.
Take the courses, take your friends and family out and shoot with them! Keep putting yourself behind the lens and trying and failing and trying and succeeding. Be patient! All good things take time!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking to collaborate with local artists, whether it be local photographers, vendors or models. Kind of like “it takes a village” when raising children – it takes a village to create art somedays! I’d love to work with others in bringing art to life! Anyone can reach out via email to collaborate!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleyreddingcreative.com
- Instagram: Ashley Redding Creative
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/ashleyreddingcreative
Image Credits
Taylor Doll Whitney
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
