Meet Ashleigh Taylor

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Taylor.

Ashleigh, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I always knew I wanted to be a storyteller and creator. I originally thought my goal was to work in the film industry, however, after a couple of years working in development I realized that the film industry wasn’t my best fit. At the same time, I was planning my wedding and researching photographers to hire and I was totally smitten with the imagery and the idea of being my own boss by being a photographer. In that moment (way back in 2008) I decided to become a professional photographer and start the journey to owning my own business. By 2010, I had quit the film industry and was working full time shooting weddings & boudoir portraits around LA. Although I had fun shooting weddings, my secret passion was shooting boudoir and fashion-inspired portraits.

I loved the feeling of directing and posing clients and giving them a fabulous makeover too. I felt filled with gratitude whenever clients would tell me that their photoshoot with me empowered them and made them feel more confident in their beauty and body. I became addicted to helping women feel confident and glamorous on camera. In 2012, I moved to Santa Barbara and quickly saw that there weren’t really any photographers shooting boudoir or fashion magazine-style portraits. In 2013, I opened the premiere luxury (brick and mortar) portrait studio in Santa Barbara and as that took off I slowly phased shooting weddings out of my business. I am happy to say that six years later my business is thriving and I have empowered hundreds of women to exist in photographs for their loved ones and for themselves.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Real talk: if any business owner tells you the road has been 100% smooth they are totally lying! The definition of entrepreneurship is full of highs and lows. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. That said I would not have it any other way. There were so many struggles in the beginning such as learning how to value my work and time, how to ask for the sale at client consultations, how to price for profit, manage expenses, etc. Then later there have been struggles with scaling and time management as I have gotten busier & more successful (definitely a good problem to have).

The hardest struggle however was during the end of 2017 and the first half of 2018 when my town was hit with the Thomas Fire and then the subsequent Montecito Mud Flow which had the 101 freeway (the only road into Santa Barbara) shut down for a month. Business suddenly and shockingly came to a halt and it was extremely terrifying– not to mention as a community we were grieving for lives lost and homes destroyed. Every business owner I know struggled during that period, and sadly many businesses were forced to close. I feel grateful to have survived that challenge and it taught me that as a business owner you really do have to prepare for disasters and unexpected hardships.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ashleigh Taylor Portrait – what should we know?
I believe it is possible to capture the beauty, confidence and joy in every woman. I am here to make my clients shine in front of the camera and get the best images they’ve ever seen of themselves. At my portrait studio, I create magazine-worthy portraits for powerful women who want to celebrate themselves or be captured with their loved ones.

I work with women who are wanting to celebrate themselves and their personal or professional milestones; feel confident and seen for who they truly are; feel pampered for the day and have a 100% stress-free photoshoot experience; to capture impactful, iconic, gorgeous images of themselves.

Some clients come to me for portraits for their personal lives– whether it’s to have a sexy boudoir shoot, or be photographed in glamorous gowns, or to have their family portraits captured in a luxurious and iconic way (think a Kardashian Christmas card but for the everyday family).

I also get many clients who are looking for branding portraits (think headshots but better). With more and more businesses marketing online, it is so important to have strong photos of yourself on your website and social media. And I get a lot of clients who are entrepreneurs or high achievers in their field and hire me create dynamic marketing imagery for them.

What sets me apart is the experience and results I create for my clients. From guiding clients through what to bring & wear, to styling them (often with pieces from my own studio wardrobe), to providing world-class hair & makeup, to posing & direction, and finishing the final images, clients always say they felt like they got to experience what celebrities experience on a magazine photoshoot. One look at the before & after gallery on my website shows the epic transformations I achieve for clients. I truly can make every woman look like a goddess.

I am honored to have been personally trained by world-famous portrait photographer Sue Bryce, and under her tutelage, learned how to pose, light and style every woman to make them look their best. I’m an accredited Master Photographer through The Portrait Masters program. I’ve been featured on, and serve on the support team for, Sue Bryce Education.

I’ve traveled the world to France, Italy, Canada, Maui, and all over the United States to photograph clients. My work has been featured in major print and online publications. I was honored to be named Best Photographer in Santa Barbara in The Santa Barbara Independent.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
As I mentioned, I was trained by photographer Sue Bryce who has been instrumental in the success of my career. I attended an intimate in person workshop with her in 2013 and my growth since then has been incredible. I grew so much she even came to my Santa Barbara studio to film an episode of her web-series called Studio Tours which features top performing portrait studios around the world. That full-circle moment was one I will never forget!

Of course, my fantastic clients have been a huge part of my success. My business grows through referrals as well as word of mouth and my clients being such cheerleaders of mine has been the secret sauce to my continued growth. I could not be more thankful for them.

Throughout the years, I have worked with various hair and makeup artists and they are always so near and dear to me as we work so closely to create an amazing experience for my clients. I really appreciate my team and the amazing work they do.

Lastly, my biggest cheerleader has always been my husband. He has an amazing positive attitude and always encourages me to see the bright light even in the darker times. He cares for our son when I need to work. He does laundry and cooking and just helps in every way. He supports in ways big & small and I will always be thankful for that love.

Pricing:

• Portrait commissions in Santa Barbara begin at $650 and go up from there.
• While our average client spends around $2500 on a photoshoot, we have clients who spend as little as $650 and as much as $5000.
• Personal branding packages begin at $495 and go up from there depending on need. Our average personal branding client spends $2500 or purchases a recurring package.

Contact Info:

• Address: 1129 State St #30A
  Santa Barbara CA 93101
• Website: ashleightaylorportrait.com
• Phone: 310-404-1613
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/ashleightaylorportrait
• Facebook: facebook.com/ashleightaylorportrait
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/ashleigh-taylor-portrait-santa-barbara

Image Credit:
Ashleigh Taylor Portrait

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