THIS IS MY STORY…. THE WHY BEHIND THE PHOTOGRAPHS, THE STORY BEHIND EVERY IMAGE I TAKE

My story of becoming a photographer started when my daughter was born 15 years ago. I was a full time working mom who felt like I was missing it all. When I was home with her I’d always have my camera at the ready to snap photos of her like crazy. Doing just the simplest things, crawling around, getting into trouble and being super cute. I desperately wanted to hold onto those memories, because I just knew they would slip away as quickly as they came.

My love for photographs, and for documenting memories was sparked when I was just a kid. I didn’t realize it then, but photographs would come to mean SO MUCH to me. I have blurry, faded memories in my mind that have been solidified by the photographs that my mother had taken. She was also a documentarian, always snapping photos… so I guess you could say I get it from my mama 😉

Those photographs helped me solidify those amazing memories I had in my head of my grandparents, who had passed away. I could look at a photo, and remember my grandfathers old recliner chair, the sound of his infectious laugh, and the way he would say “give me a bag of shells” …. I have no idea what that actually meant, but he said it every time he was telling a little white lie or some far fetched story.

Photos have never been so much an artsy thing for me. They’re sentimental, meaningful, a story of us. Who we are, where we’ve been. Proof of a life well lived, a celebration of love, of marriage, of a little one who has grown way too fast, and a family who just wants to capture their lives to look back on.

My love and passion in is the documenting, photos in beautiful places, laughing and playing and snuggling. Capturing their little mischievous grin, the way they hold onto your hand, the chaos that parenting brings. Photographs in your own spaces, surrounded by your own home. true to life memories of where you brought your baby home, what your home looked like, and how you all lived. So when the kids have grown and left the nest, you can all look back at a beautiful childhood filled with memories in your own spaces.

I shy away from making my images too themed, full of props, or overly styled and posed. I love to focus on connection, on love, on joy and even on the temper tantrums. because that’s where your memories live.

MY WHY IS:

My why is to help you to document your memories beautifully. To give you something to hold onto when the time is moving by way too quickly. A tangible piece of your lives.

My why is to encourage you to exist in photographs with your children, no matter if you don’t feel your very best, because sometimes those photos will be all there is left.

My why is to give the gift of memories. The real ones that make you laugh, make you cry, and make you say “look how little!” or ” do you remember when?”

My why is to document your life well lived, because every family deserves to have the photos to prove it.

I’d love to chat with you about how we can best capture your memories together.

xx, Ashley

Would you like to see some full sessions?

lifestyle newborn session. Newborn Pictures at Home | NJ Newborn Photographer

at home birthday session Birthday Cake Smash Sussex County, NJ | Gino is ONE

Family session outside Crystal Springs Resort, Vernon NJ | Summer Family Photos

Follow along for more.

http://www.instagram.com/reneeashphoto