it's so nice to meet ya..
*eeeeeekkkk* hi friend, I'm so exctied you're here!! I'm ash, an alberta eloepment & wedding photographer based in Calgary, Alberta. If you're wondering what led this twenty something single girl into shooting elopements & weddings + all kinds of wild love stories, simply put, I just love love. I must preface this with I'm not a cheesy love kind of person (except hallmark movies - they're so bad they're good i swear), which is weird for someone who documents love for a living i know, BUT i believe love is deeper than the cheese we see on the surface, and that's what I live for capturing. I love being a photographer for all you in love couples - i'm literally beaming just thinking about it.
I'm all for the unconventional days that go against the "typical wedding" and are so intentional in their planning. I'm here to document your day in a way that you can reminisce on, get all sentimental, and never have to forget the most important parts. I'm not a photographer for the photos, I'm a photographer for you + your memories. I don't want to say it because it's cheesy butttttt, if you're looking for a photographer that is going to prioritize you, then look no further.
HEY FRIEND,
I'm ASh
xo, ash
meet me, your alberta elopement photographer
When I'm not behind the camera, here's a sneak peek into my life:
+ lots of time with my doggie niece, Eleanor
+ Hiking
+ coffee stops
+ traveling when I can
+ working as a kinesiologist/personal trainer
+cycling the summer away
You might be wondering what exactly this means or what it has to do with you so let me tell ya. My philosophy is simply put, what I believe in most for my photography + is the influential pillar to how I create, document, and why I do what i do when it comes to my process + your experience working with me.
I believe deeply that photography is meant to document time in a way that you not only remember, but that you actually go back to that exact time and truly feel that moment again. From this belief, my process for your experience and the way that I photograph stems. Firstly, I believe getting to know you + your love and all the little details is vital. This allows me to understand who you are & what's important to you. To document the most significant moments of your day flows from this.
I then photograph in a way that is non-invasive. When I'm at your wedding, I'm not trying to craft a perfect moment or pose, I want to tell the story of your day without influencing it too much. This is the way I am able to find the emotions, the moments, and the people that I know you want documented. From all the little things I do leading up to your day, you don't have to worry because my philosophy is engrained in every aspect of your experience, to make sure you have photos that allow you to step back in time and relive your day, not just remember the fading memories.
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR ALL, BECAUSE LOVE IS FOR ALL
My business pillars
If you're just meeting me, you'll quickly get to know that I'm "literally obsessed" with a lot of things. I use this term to describe basically anything I really enjoy because I'm just extra like that. So, let me tell you that I'm literally obsessed with iced coffee, my cutie bernadoodle niece, flannels, lululemon, and basically anything that involves getting out to the mountains.
When I'm not behind the camera, or at the gym working.. I'm either hanging with my family, getting out to the mountains, binging something on Netflix, or dreaming about trips I want to take one day. I'd say i'm equal parts ambitious + lazy, and I really hope you can relate, otherwise, you might think i'm a little crazy.
Well, welcome to my life. I'm literally obsessed with so much, but most just don't compare with how much I love photographing elopements and weddings. We're not all obsessed with the same things and that's what makes your love story special. I can't believe out of all the fav things in my life, I get to photograph so many incredible love stories + maybe I'll get to photograph yours too!
iced coffee, cute dogs, and wild adventures
MY FAV THINGS
WHAT INSPIRES ME
Okay, seriously picture this.. you're looking through all your olddddd family albums, looking at the weddings, and the moments, captured from someone's film camera. Someone out there's gotta be with me when I say it's insane how much nostalgia & story is packed into one 4x6 image, decades later. This is what gets me. What I hope my photos to be. For your great great grandchildren to one day flip through a book, filled with your wedding photos and feel how wild, filled with love, and sentimental your day was.
Film feels timeless. It's a form that has lasted generations, and feels like it's told a story without interference. For photos to outlive the moment, and to carry on the story long after it's over.. This is what inspires how I shoot the way that I do, and why I tailor your experience with me the way that I do.
Every time I pack up my gear & get to shoot a new couple, i'm brought new opportunities to create those moments for only you. My focus is creating photographs that mean everything for you. Fostering your story over the time we work together is everything. It's so special, and much bigger than you or I. I love to create art that holds your story for decades is what I wouldn't trade for the world.
the nostalgic feeling of love, on film
BEHIND THE LENS
My approach for documenting your wedding or elopement is a little unconventional. I'm a little more hands-off and subtle because I don't want to create moments, I only want to photograph the ones that are already happening. I'll keep us on schedule if that's what your day looks like but also create lots of intentional space for you and your loved ones to truly experience everything.
Whether you're spending your day with your closest circle or the just the love of your life, I'll be there as early as you need me to capture all the nervous anticipation and bursting excitement. You bet i'll also stick around as late as your day goes, missing nothing in between. I'll be there for all the moments that mean the most to you on your day.
Oh, and I'll be showing up with my iced coffee + everyone else's drink orders ready to capture your freaking wedding day!
I'll be documenting the whole day with little interference. I'll document you and your loved ones intentionally, capturing the moments that are the most sentimental. From all the talks we'll have had by your big day, I'll understand the people & details that you want documented. You can put aside all your stress and be confident knowing I'm there as long as your day is + I won't miss what's most important to you.
no matter what, i won't miss what's most important
Ash made us feel comfortable, and we were basically laughing for the next two hours. My jaw dropped as I looked at the gallery a couple days later. She was able to capture exactly how Gabe and I feel for each other.
LETICIA + GABE
Ashley is so kind and respectful. She went above and beyond to make us feel special. She was able to take our ideas to the next level and turn our photo dreams into a reality. She made us feel safe and comfortable in front of the camera from the very start.
Emma + Chase
One word... OBSESSED. She truly captured my boyfriend and I the way that we naturally are and brought out our personalities through the photos. You can truly tell that Ashley LOVES what she does and how invested she is in cultivating the best experience for her clients.
KEELEY + MICHAEL
We were able to be fully ourselves and not worry if we weren’t posing correctly or looking weird in front of the camera.
PETRA + GAVIN
Ready for your next chapter to be documented?