Meet Ashton Rodgers

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ashton Rodgers a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ashton, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Finding your purpose is one of those big, almost mythical ideas that can feel overwhelming. For me, it wasn’t a single, life-altering revelation—it was a process of uncovering my strengths, leaning into them, and realizing that purpose isn’t just about what you do, but why you do it.
I grew up in a small town with great people, but not a lot of exposure to creative careers. I played sports but never took them too seriously. What I did know early on was that I wanted to be a family man. That part of my purpose was always clear: I wanted to build a strong family, be a present father, and provide for my loved ones.
After an uninspiring 4 years of high school, I had the opportunity to spend two years living in Mexico, providing service to the people, learning the language, and broadening my perspective. It was my first real experience stepping outside my small world and seeing life through a different lens. It challenged me, humbled me, and taught me the value of connection and service. But when I returned home, I still didn’t have a clear sense of what I wanted to do.
I was on track to graduate with a business degree—choosing the practical route so I could provide for my future family. Then, almost by accident, I took a photography class. I didn’t know it at the time, but that single decision would change everything.
For the first time in my life, I felt truly passionate about something. Photography wasn’t just a skill—it was a way to create, to tell stories, to capture something real. It scratched an itch I didn’t know I had. I switched my major and threw myself into the program and began learning a new craft, spending countless hours in the darkroom, assisting other photographers, and just soaking it all in. I paid my dues.
Early in my career, my drive was monetary. My purpose had always been to provide for my family, and I saw photography as a means to do that, and it was awesome because I loved photography. I worked relentlessly, chasing success in the advertising industry. The work was exciting, and the money was good, but over time, I started to feel creatively drained. Art became transactional. The industry was fickle, and I lost sight of why I started in the first place. Then came the pandemic, forcing me to take a hard look at my career and my priorities.
That’s when I had a realization: I wasn’t just driven by the need to create—I was fueled by collaboration. What really made me thrive was the creative process—working with teams, problem-solving, and bringing ideas to life. The real fulfillment wasn’t just in the paycheck; it was in knowing that people sought me out for my vision and trusted me to create something meaningful for them…
When I shifted my mindset—focusing on adding value rather than just making a living—my passion came back. I rediscovered my love for the visual arts, not just as a job, but as a craft.
As I reflect on this, I didn’t find my purpose—it wasn’t some grand discovery. Instead, I uncovered it little by little, by following my strengths and staying open to growth. My faith has played a major role in that journey, giving me direction and clarity when I needed it most.
But ultimately, purpose isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you build. It’s about paying attention to what fuels you, investing in the work that excites you, and realizing that fulfillment comes when you align your talents with service—whether that’s for your family, your clients, or the people who trust you to bring their vision to life.
For anyone still searching for their purpose: Look at what excites you. Lean into your strengths. I found that purpose isn’t just about making a living—it’s about making an impact.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m Ashton Rodgers, a commercial photographer and director specializing in automotive, lifestyle, and travel work. I work with advertising agencies and client-direct brands to create authentic, compelling imagery that resonates with audiences. My approach leans toward natural, unforced visuals—I prefer work that feels real over something overly staged or artificial. More than anything, I thrive on the collaborative process, where creative ideas come to life through trust, problem-solving, and a shared vision.

My productions range from small, nimble teams to large-scale sets with 40–50 crew members, depending on the scope of the project. Over the years, I’ve expanded my skill set beyond still photography to include directing commercials, shooting motion, and retouching my own work to ensure a cohesive final product.

My work has been featured in Communication Arts, Lüerzer’s International Archive, International Photography Awards, and Photo District News.

Clients I’ve Worked With:

MACK TRUCKS, FORD, VISTAPRINT, GOOGLE, BRIDGESTONE, GOODYEAR, DISCOUNT TIRES, TOYOTA, CHRYSLER, RAM TRUCKS, HYATT, HARD ROCK HOTEL, COMMUNITY COFFEE, BILTMORE, PURINA, PINNACLE BANK, NATIONWIDE, NORDICTRACK, ALLEN EDMONDS, GOODWILL, LEGOLAND, GoRVing, SWEET BABY RAY’S, ZEIGENBOCK, JOHNSON & JOHNSON, and many others.

A Bit More About Me

I was born in Washington state but now call Texas home, where I live with my wife, three kids, a puppy. When I’m not on set, I’m probably reminding my kids to turn off the lights, making wood-fired pizza, or drinking energy drinks (to my wife’s dismay). I’m lucky to work with incredibly talented, hardworking people, and I love bringing out the best in my teams—whether it’s for a major commercial project or, as I like to joke, my own nefarious purposes.

At the end of the day, I love what I do. I get to create meaningful imagery, work with amazing people, and tell stories that connect with audiences. And despite my questionable caffeine habits, I promise—I’m actually great to work with.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

1. Don’t Be an A-hole
This might sound blunt, but it’s the best career advice I can give. The creative industry—especially commercial photography and directing—is relationship-driven. People want to work with people they like, trust, and can spend 12+ hours on set with. Being talented is great, but if you’re difficult to work with, word gets around fast.
2. Stay Curious
Curiosity is what keeps you growing. If I had stuck with what I knew early on, I’d still be shooting the same way I did a decade ago. Expanding into motion, directing, and retouching didn’t happen because someone told me to—it happened because I was curious about the process and wanted to understand how everything worked.
3. Stay Humble – Some Are for Show, Others for Dough
There’s a big difference between the work that looks cool and the work that pays the bills. Some projects are passion-driven, and others keep the business running. The key is knowing how to balance the two. Not every gig will be a dream job, but every job is an opportunity to learn, build relationships, and get better.
If you do those three things, opportunities will come your way.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

I come from humble, salt-of-the-earth people. My parents are kind and confident, but at their core, they are selfless. They worked incredibly hard, always putting family and faith above everything else. They were never financial wizards, but they focused on the things that truly mattered—love, integrity, and showing up for each other.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had them as examples. I try to emulate them in so many ways.
One moment that has always stuck with me happened in 7th grade. My family was struggling financially, and I knew not to ask for things we couldn’t afford. I saved up my own money and bought a pair of basketball shoes—not the cool ones, just the ones I could afford. I tried to fly under the radar with them, but one day at practice, a coach I really respected pointed them out. He made a comment about how they weren’t as cool as what the other boys were wearing, and everyone laughed.
I brushed it off, but it stung.
After the season, I casually mentioned it to my mom. I wasn’t complaining—just telling her the story in passing. I’m sure she could tell it hurt me.
The next season, our financial situation wasn’t much different. But one day at school, I got called down to the office. My mom was there. She told me, “Let’s go.” No explanation. She drove me to the mall and let me pick out a pair of awesome basketball shoes for the upcoming season.
Many years later, I asked her how she had afforded them. She told me, “I went without lunch until I saved enough.”
That’s the kind of people I come from. Hardworking, selfless, and always putting others first.
I try really hard to live up to that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashtonrodgers.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashton_rodgers
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/ashton-rodgers-14716b14