About Me
Hi, I’m Ashley, and I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I live in Derby with my partner, Amy and two cats, Cleo and Lana.
With a background rooted in film and TV production, my love for photography has always been a driving force in my career. Having worked on numerous feature films and as a camera operator and editor for TV Berlin in Germany, I bring a unique perspective and skill set to my photography.
I believe that the transferable skills I have acquired from working in the film and TV industry have greatly influenced my approach to photography. I strive to create images that are not only visually stunning but also timeless. Each photograph I capture tells a story and evokes emotion.
Whether it's capturing the beauty of a landscape, the genuine emotions of a wedding day, or the essence of a couple, I aim to bring a cinematic quality to all of my photography. I am dedicated to providing my clients with exceptional images that they will cherish for years to come.
My Approach To Weddings.
If you would like to know how I work, how I approach the day, what I look for and what makes me tick, please read on.
How I ultimately go about documenting your wedding? Well, let’s get into it…
The first thing you should know is that I am incredibly focused and driven to create meaningful images. I don’t stop watching, observing or documenting. From the moment I step out of my car on the morning of a wedding, right through to the moment I deliver the images, I don’t stop making creative decisions. I never stop. I continually push myself to find the next moment to capture or design.
Photographers often define themselves as documentary and editorial, fine art or creative photographer.
Many photographers categorise themselves as documentary, reportage, fine art, or creative photographers. Personally, I struggle to assign myself to one specific style. I believe that my work embodies aspects of each of these styles. I view my photography as a creative partnership between myself and my couples. The magic of a special day lies in the uniqueness of its light, location, people, moments, speeches, laughter, and tears. These are spontaneous moments that can't be planned or recreated—they simply happen. I feel lucky to be able to capture these real moments and document them.
I don’t pose, I direct.
In addition to capturing candid photos, my goal as a photographer, when capturing portraits, is to create consistently incredible images by giving directional cues to elicit genuine and authentic emotions. Having a list or memorising poses can lead to images lacking in authentic emotion. They end up looking too posed and awkward. This is why I love to interact and direct the couples I work with. By offering advice on hand placement or stance etc. I can help each and every person I photograph look relaxed and natural.
How do I capture images?
For the bulk of the wedding day, I try to use ambient light to create my images. I believe the use of lighting equipment has its place and should be used appropriately. If over used, it can distract people; affecting their enjoyment of the special day. When it comes to the wild craziness of the dance floor, I love to use speed lights. They allow me to document the action in incredibly low light. The flash of a speed light often blends in with the flashing of the disco lights and so are not as noticeable.