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2015 Review

Growth & Grit

By Ashleigh Cropper

January 1^st, 2016

Photography Review

“What will you do with your one wild and precious life?” -Mary Oliver

I lost myself this year. And all while forgetting about myself, I fell deeper in love with what I have wanted for so long. It is a wild experience when you own and run your own photography company. On the one hand, you are a creative, easily wanting to hone in on your skills and find “your eye”…discovering is what makes you, you! But then you have a business to run, emails, calls, meetings, financials, figuring out gear, lenses…all that. And at some point, well…., I lost myself in the best possible way. I dove in deep, sacrificed, and in return, received major success and personal growth. You must have grit, otherwise you sink back into what feels “comfortable”. I went far past comfortable and achieved what I set out to do.

15 months ago I was sitting at a desk, working for an environmental firm, thinking I found my dream job. Pushing papers along, filling in spreadsheets, helping cities with their energy usage, recycling, waste management…and pushing more papers. I would wonder “How come something I worked so hard for, earned a Master’s Degree in, spent endless hours interning and working to get to this point felt incredibly EMPTY?” It stung and hurt. Paperwork wasn’t my idea of a dream. And then those hard questions came. Is this my life? Forever? At a desk? Is this what I want? Life really IS too precious, and you find that out even more when you are working at something you thought was “it” but suddenly isn’t “it.” I still love my degree. I still use it in the capacity that I have found I truly enjoy: educating others, municipality work, sustainability initiatives. But not in pushing papers, and right now, not as my full time career, sitting at a desk.

Thus began my first year as a professional photographer. It took me places I had dreamed of, but didn’t think would come this year. It brought me clients that I cherish and whom I loved spending time with. It uncovered the core of who I really am: a creative. A business degree and an office job is how my family may define success; to me, somehow that fell short of what I wanted. So I jumped…. I jumped far away from the corporate ladder I was climbing, straight into family photography sessions, weddings, newborns, lifestyle images, creative collaborations, workshops, endless tutorials, mentoring, sacrifice, culling, editing, storytelling, imagination, wild dreams, and a fierce passion.

I am and always will be my harshest critic. So to say that 2015 was a success in my books, is really telling. Here are my highlights of images that captured the experiences I must remember as a full time photographer for my first full year (warning this is long, but has some of the best tips and lessons I learned).

Family

How can you not be grateful when families let you into their life for a moment. I love to think about how these families will look back on these images many years later and be so happy they have these memories together. I was fortunate to be a part of some wonderful families this year; full of toddlers, new puppies, strong young ladies, seniors venturing to new steps, mothers holding their childrens’ hands, and fathers looking down on their loved ones. All of that is why I value what I am doing. I feel like I am capturing history for a moment in time. This year I grew in letting families be themselves: less posed, more fun, and personal time together. That is when you capture the essence of it all. Families taught me to go with the flow. Instead of coaxing them to all sit and smile, let the little ones run around during the session, enjoy the outdoors and this incredible area, and just have some plain-ol’-fun!

Lesson(s) learned: Again, go with the flow and make parents know you are comfortable with an occasional tantrum. I know parents walk into family sessions really nervous with their little ones. This next year, I will try to make sure every parent knows that this is an easy going situation. No stress. Let the kids be kids, and I will handle the capturing. Because really, those smiles on the little one’s faces when I say, go run up that hill or climb around on that tree, are priceless.

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Maternity and newborns

To spend some time with a newborn, or a glowing mother feels priceless. I found my “look” in newborns. It is much more lifestyle and relaxed. I find it more natural to show a new baby as they are, which sometimes may mean even the little flakes on their newborn skin. Watching women become mothers is a beautiful transition and one that I was grateful to be a part of in 2015.

Lesson(s) learned: It is similar to family sessions, you have to allow for flexibility. Especially with newborn sessions, you never know how long it may take to capture that little one, and sometimes, “imperfections” or blemishes are the most endearing part of a child that a mother would want to remember. It is always a hope that they will be sleepy and content but that is not a guarantee. I really hope that in 2016 I can capture more maternity and lifestyle newborn sessions.

Weddings

I did all things “wedding” this summer. I am a fierce believer in the world of love. Perhaps because my own love story with my husband has caused me to be an advocate for weddings and the commitment and joy you feel when it is finally official. Everything from the details, to the breathtaking brides, passionate kisses, twirls in fields, the sunsets, first looks, aspen groves, and even climbing into firetrucks made for a thrilling summer. Green Blossom Photography let me tag along and hone in on my wedding skills this summer toward the beginning of the season, which jump-started a wild ride. A real highlight was having my husband be a second photographer for a wedding this year. He also is an amazing photographer and has found a specialty in landscapes. Working side-by-side was really special and so fun!

On my photography dream list was to be the photographer of a wedding out of state. I thought that would come down the road, like at least a few years. But to my surprise, it came this year! Off on a jet plane I went to Southern Oregon in July for a lovely wedding that brought on firetrucks, a first-look that even brought me to tears, and a loving father-daughter first dance that I will always remember. I cannot wait for my 2016 weddings and a bucket list of wedding wishfuls for the year!

Lesson(s) learned: The day will never go perfectly according to a timeline. There will be a hiccup somewhere, but that doesn’t need to ruffle feathers. You just learn how to take it and how to work with it, and then the outcome will be better than you imaged.

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GROWTH & Grit

I believe that it doesn’t matter how skilled, amazing, talented…etc…you may be at your career, there is ALWAYS something to learn. My husband says I am a student of the trade. And that will be a fact for life. I pushed myself with perspectives, finding my “eye”, learning why others choose me to document, discovering weaknesses and then taking them head on. Because really, how else do you grow? With classes, mentors, coffee meetings, conversations, reflection, tutorials, practicing, this all lead me to become better all around in 2015. This also allowed me to find my photography style, which is what sets me apart in a sea of amazing creatives. With that, below are some images from workshops this year.

Lesson (s) learned: It takes grit. I watched so many people leave their photography careers this year. Sometimes, I felt like I might have to. It left a lot questions running through my mind. But I learned that when it gets tough, just take a step back and look at where there may be areas to improve. Reach out to others and find what you can do better. Build your character. Take constructive criticism. And then apply that. There is ONLY one you. And that is what makes you unique. Work on it, focus on it, find how you show through in your work and run with it. People will come to you because they want YOU.

Collaborative Styled Wedding

Speaking of growth, I did what felt like the unimaginable this year. I gathered a bunch of Boulder local creatives and ran with a styled wedding that I had mulled over one-too-many times in my head all year. There is so much more about that session back here but what I will say is I am proud of myself for putting my work out there in this community. I pulled this off last second and so much just fell into my lap, which I am grateful for. I had a vision and something in me said, “go do it, NOW!” This was my first styled shoot and I was equal parts nervous, from all the pressure (put on by myself), and exhilarated. I was able to let that core of who I am grow, dream, and think up this incredible collaboration; which led to other creatives in the area to join and help me live out this idea. The feel of the shoot was intimate, elopement, personal, organic, and a toast to Boulder. To have some of my role models in this area join me and explore this, and then contribute deserves more than a thank you.

Lesson (s) learned: Maybe next time I should give myself more than 3 weeks to pull off an entire styled shoot, especially during the hectic family photography season. And to not be afraid to ask others (even though you may feel shy and you drool over their work) to join in and work with you. When creatives pull all their brain power together with what they are best at, the outcome can be well…breathtaking. Just look below…

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Local Businesses

My undergraduate degree was in business with an emphasis in marketing and management. I have seen that degree shine throughout my work numerous times. I have especially seen it throughout working with local businesses to help capture and tell who they are in images. I have worked with bridal designers, florists, makeup artists, jewelers, salons, and spas. The local businesses in this community are incredible. Owning a business is tough stuff. It looks quite easy on the outside and sometimes glamorous. But once you dig a little deeper, the trials can be endless. I always feel a personal connect with local businesses when I work with them. Many have the same doubts and trials I go through. We connect and understand this difficult, but so rewarding, road we chose. I root for them every step they take and I feel they do the same for me. I hope to capture many more local business in 2016.

Lesson(s) learned: Just take time and talk with the owners and get to know how far the store, spa, company, jewelry, florist, came from. Entrepreneurs all have this quality that is intangible and strong. I wish there was a word for it but it is more a feeling when you are around these people. I hope to share more stories and learn more lessons from such talented individuals.

Write your story here. (Optional)

Travel

I took my camera with me on every adventure this year, and especially on big adventures. My camera visited: Austin, San Antonio, Mesa Verde, Colorado Springs, Vail, Aspen, Manitou Springs, Rocky Mountain National Park, Antelope Canyon, Page AZ, Horseshoe Bend, Glen Canyon Dam, Grand Canyon, Phoenix, Southern Oregon, Portland OR, and so many places in between.

Lesson (s) learned: Taking your camera everywhere, especially on trips, allows you to grow quickly with your style. I found that my style grew the most when I didn’t have that pressure to produce for a family session or for a wedding. I would let my eye do what it wanted and see what I would capture. Some of my favorite and most pivotal moments in growth happened in these images below. They are also some of my most special images. I can recall exactly my feelings and my “ah-ha” moments in some of these images. For anyone starting out I would give the advice to carry your camera with you everywhere.

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Oregon Travel Sessions

And then the big surprise of all this year was traveling to Oregon for family sessions the beginning of November. With some good friends wanting pictures in Portland and offering to bring me out, it was a given. You just don’t say no to that. Especially when it is in your favorite city in the whole world! When my husband gifted my first camera to me, he told me that he hopes it would take us places all over the world. Well, I wanted to give back to my husband for all he did to let me follow this unexpected new adventure of photography. So I bought him a plane ticket to join me in Portland. Portland is where I fell in love with him after all. It was 2 weeks full of family sessions in Portland and then in Southern Oregon. Oregon makes me come alive in my creative realm in such a different way than Colorado does. Both are equally thrilling but Oregon provides that lush, green, forested feeling that makes my photography heart soar.

Lesson(s) learned: It is incredibly hard booking family sessions when 1) you hardly know anyone in the area, if at all. 2) November gets dark fast…especially in forested and damp areas. Oh and 3) it is nerve racking going into a new market and hoping people book you. It is such an unknown. I was fortunate to have booked quite a few families and feel really established after just one visit. It felt like a huge compliment really. But, with that being said, it was so wearing to do family sessions in unknown towns, all while traveling, booking flights, plane hopping, running around to scout locations, and oh did I say…traveling. Lots of lessons learned here like, maybe don’t book 3 sessions in a day right after you get off a plane. Make sure you have plenty of time to do a little scouting and relax before you jump in to work. And the big one, next time go in October. It was sort of out of my control and strung on me to go in November. Next year, it will be October. I already cannot wait!

Write your story here. (Optional)

For 2016

If you somehow made it to the bottom of this post then I am super impressed! This year was everything that the word “wild” encompasses. It felt like a roller coaster all the time. Self doubt got the best of me at times but then I would pull myself out of it and find myself involved in one of the above opportunities. I have never had more personal growth than this year. I am grateful for that. I love every ounce of what I did this year. A big thank you to every client I had. So many of you have become dear anc cherished friends and that is why I love this career. Spending time with you, while doing what I feel comes naturally, is a gift.

I went out this year with a big bang! I had a goal to be featured online somewhere but I brushed that under the rug when I felt like time was running out and I was too busy. Yet, two days ago it happened! Seeing my work featured from this very site was a cherry on top of this year!

I will post about my goals later on this week for 2016, but for now, adios 2015. I can’t hardly stand to see what 2016 brings if this much happened in 2015!