We were lucky to catch up with Ashley Anderson-Strawser recently and have shared our conversation below.
Ashley, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
In the photography industry this continues to be an issue with so many photographers, including myself. Earlier in my career I fell victim to the imposter syndrome, constant comparison and questioning if I was even good enough to continue in this field. I began to notice how imposter syndrome (which I didn’t know was a thing) was consuming my thoughts and taking the joy out of what I was trying to do. In one of m photography groups I noticed a thread and this subject was the topic. As I read through it, I realized I wasn’t alone in how I felt but I knew this is a rabbit hole I did not want to go down. With so many situations in life I knew the way to overcome this was in my mindset. I had to switch my thinking and approach. I simply had to stop comparing and think of my own journey. If I see someone’s work that starts to make me doubt my abilities then it is a photograph that spoke to me for a reason…I then switch my thinking in how can I get that result? What technique could I change? Comparison really is the thief of joy so when I find myself comparing then I study that picture to use as a learning tool. I still have my moments when it can creep in but I no longer let it consume me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
Throughout my life I have always loved to create. When I was younger my medium was charcoal and drawing. In college I studied and received my degree in Graphic Design. I took many classes and one class I took was a photography class (dark room and all) I think my love for photography began there. After college I didn’t do much with it until I joined the Air Force. While I was in I started to photograph and focused on athletes, Once I finished my time serving I moved back to West Virginia and still continued photography but nothing serious, it was just a hobby.
For years I shot a little of everything; families, newborn, weddings, maternity, the list goes on but in that time I learned exactly what I did NOT want to shoot. Then one year I shot 50 some Seniors. It was your typical meet some place ‘pretty’, take some photos, then send that family the photos and that was it. I HATED it, I was burnt out, I had no joy in what I was going, their was no connection with these clients. I wasn’t creating or enjoying the experience. That is when I knew I had to change my entire business and my approach.
I decided to stop treating this as a hobby but as a business. I wanted to create not only beautiful photos but also an experience that caters to the client. I started to study off camera flash, attended workshops, spoke with other successful senior photographers, anything and everything I could do to improve. However since I am a one person show its more than just what talent/skill I can bring, I had to learn how to run an actual business- a client/friend once told me that she loved what I was doing but to remember that was only one piece- I had to learn all the pieces to be successful- she said to me she had seen too many business fail because they knew just an aspect but not the business as a whole. That was a critical piece of advice I hold on to everyday.
What I do is nothing new but it is new to my area…I specialize in Seniors and Sportraits. It is a custom, stress–free portrait experience like no other! Senior pictures that are modern, stylish, and absolutely FABULOUS!
By specializing in high school seniors, I pride myself on providing a one-of-a-kind senior portrait experience to every single client I work with. Their personality and style are what shine-through in the photos.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For myself and my journey what was most impactful: 1. Off camera flash
2. IPS
3. Client relationship/experience
My advice would be never stop learning. Everything evolves and so do we as artists, do not be afraid to try new things- it may not always work but use that as a learning tool. Another big one I noticed is that Everyone will have an opinion and tell you how to run your business because it works for them but doesn’t mean it will work for you! Only you know what is best for you and your situation. It has taken me many years to get to where I am and I always laugh because of the mistakes I have made and money I have wasted but I grew as a person and business because of those mistakes, never stop learning!
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds- David Goggins
I read this book a few years ago and I was completely in shock on how much mindset played a role in his success and how it could play a role in mine! These are quotes from his book I have in my office- just reminders on how to keep my mindset and to focus on the good!
“Always be ready to adjust, recalibrate, and stay after it to become better, somehow.”
“In every failure there is something to be gained, even if it’s only practice for the next test you’ll have to take. Because that next test is coming. That’s a guarantee.”
“If you choose to do something, attack it.”
“It’s going to be hard work, discipline, and the non-cognitive skills – hard work, dedication, sacrifice – that will set you apart.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.amaphotographywv.com/
- Instagram: @amaphotographywv
- Facebook: @amaphotographywv
- Youtube: @amaphotographywv
Image Credits
AMA Photography
