Today we’d like to introduce you to Audey Shen.
Audey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My dad got me my first DSLR for a middle school graduation present after he noticed that I had been shooting in our backyard with a point-and-shoot. Throughout high school, I would go on workshops led by Aperture Academy where we would take day-trips throughout California, shooting everything from landscape to macro, and learning proper photography techniques along the way. I took a 2-week photo program with National Geographic Student Expeditions my sophomore year, and this is when I realized that I am most at ease when I’m with my camera, surrounded by the beauty the world has to offer. Back in school, I would learn about photojournalism and sports photography while shooting for our school’s newspaper, and I got into shooting portraits for the upcoming seniors my last year of high school.
I am currently a Junior attending school at the University of Southern California where I’ve continued shooting portraits and headshots for my peers as well as other clients. At USC’s Photo Club, I introduced myself to Tiffany Wu who was the club’s president at the time. She was the one who introduced me to wedding photography and has lead me to where I am today.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would have to say that the biggest challenge I’ve faced is having the confidence to actually start the business and once starting, balancing it with work and school. In high school, many of my friends, as well as my dad, encouraged me to follow my passion, and in college, a friend taught me never to undersell my photography to avoid burnout. It was this piece of advise that had me keep my zeal for shooting, which is what started my business in the first place. Starting and maintaining Ashen Photography has never been easy, but I’ve been so grateful to everyone who has believed in me and supported me in the process.
Ashen Photography – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I specialize in senior portraits and weddings, and I am proud of how much it has grown in the last couple of years. What sets me apart from others is that along with my creative vision, I strive to understand my client’s wants and needs so I only take a limited amount each year. This allows me to give my full and undivided attention and energy to each client I work with so that they can get the best of what I have to offer.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moments in my career is when I deliver the photos and get to see my clients’ reactions. I love providing a service that can capture memories for a lifetime and make other people happy. Ultimately, my clients’ joy and positive reactions to the finished gallery are the reasons why I continue as a photographer.
Pricing:
- Weddings start at $2,150*
- Portrait Sessions start at $250*
Contact Info:
- Website: ashenphotography.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: audeyshenphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashenphotography/
Image Credit:
Tiffany Wu Photography
