Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashily & David Vo.
Hi Ashily & David, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Ever since we first met, our mutual love for photography has been a driving force in our relationship. It’s what brought us closer together and helped us get to know each other on a deeper level. At first, we were simply doing photography as a hobby, capturing weddings and small events as favors for friends and family. Little did we know that our passion would eventually lead us to where we are today.
Around six years ago, Ashily took the leap and left her “9-5” job to pursue wedding photography full-time. It wasn’t always easy, and it required a lot of patience and perseverance to grow the business. But thanks to her incredible creativity, tenacity, and drive, our company has flourished. I’ve always been there to support Ashily, assisting her as a second photographer and helping couples feel at ease in front of the camera. But it wasn’t until the third quarter of 2022 that I joined her full-time, and it’s been an amazing journey for both of us ever since.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Embarking on our entrepreneurial journey was far from smooth sailing, and we encountered our fair share of challenges along the way. As expected, our initial expenditures often exceeded our profits, a common hurdle for new business owners. While we absolutely believe that it’s the photographer behind the camera that matters more than the camera itself, we still felt the desire to invest in top-of-the-line gear to gain a competitive edge.
However, one unexpected struggle we faced was learning how to work cohesively as a husband and wife team without letting it strain our relationship. While we complemented each other in many ways, working together in a vocational environment proved to be challenging at times. We had moments where we contemplated if we were well-suited to do this together without one of us wanting to quit. But in the end, our love for each other and our shared passion for photography helped us push through.
We proactively mediated and molded our differences into the final product that you see today. It was a journey of learning and growth, where we found ways to navigate challenges as a team and strengthen our partnership both personally and professionally.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Vo Photo Co is a photography company serving Orange and Los Angeles County, specializing in wedding photography, pre-wedding photos (such as engagement sessions), and family portraits. With over ten years of experience, our primary focus has always been on capturing true and sincere moments and emotions. Whether it’s a formal portrait session or the candid “in-between moments” during events, we aim to capture the essence of our subjects.
In recent years, we’ve had the opportunity to explore editorial-style photoshoots, which has been a delightful and creative endeavor. It has allowed us to expand our vision and further hone our craft. While we continue to pursue such opportunities, our core passion remains in capturing the sweet and genuine moments that reflect the love between our subjects. These moments are what truly inspire us and drive our photography, and we are committed to delivering heartfelt and authentic images that our clients will cherish for a lifetime.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Ashily ~ “As a child, I was affectionately known as the ‘smiley’ girl among my teachers in grade school. With a naturally introverted persona, I found joy in the simplest of things and gravitated toward projects that allowed me to express my creativity. My love for books, particularly autobiographies and historical fiction novels, blossomed throughout my adolescent years and continues to grow today. When my dad bought a camera for our family vacations, I delved into the world of documenting memories and capturing precious family moments ~ eventually, a profound passion for photography emerged within me. I became inseparable from my camera, eagerly offering my services to document various family/church events and weddings as well ~ this marked the beginning of my journey as a professional wedding photographer.”
David: “Growing up, I gained a reputation for being easy-going and laid-back. I never let things bother me, and even with food, I preferred simple meals that required minimal ingredients. I found joy in the simple things in life, even in the mundane. Skipping rocks at the lake, immersing myself in nature, and observing the world around me were some of my favorite pastimes. Apart from my love for the outdoors, I also enjoyed activities that demanded focus, attention to detail, and patience. Drawing and painting were among my favorites, and I would spend countless hours in my sketchbook, lost in the creative process. I also found pleasure in solitary hobbies that didn’t require a team, such as playing ping pong, billiards, and bowling.”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vophotoco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/vophotoco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vophotoco
Image Credits
Vo Photo Co., LLC
