Meet Ashley Ketch | Photographer, Graphic Artist & Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Ketch and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting my own business came as a series of events and “Aha!” moments! I had been working an amazing job as a graphic designer for McCain Foods Canada covering a maternity leave. As my position was coming to an end, I applied for graphics positions for jobs located from Newfoundland to the Yukon, trying to find that permanent job I could work at for years and retire at.

Then my best friend (also the man I thought I’d one day marry) passed away in a solo car accident. To say I was shook is an understatement. It also made me realize, as a twenty-something year old – WHAT WAS I DOING!? Life can be short. I should take some time for living and exploring and not worry about retirement yet.

I’d always wanted to travel, and where I went to school for both graphics and photography, I applied to be a photographer on a cruise ship. At the time I hadn’t thought of photography as a career choice, but daaaaaamn! I was good! My photos were selling and I decided I would start my own photography business once I returned home. – I did just that! Returning with $500 USD when the Canadian Dollar was worth more (am I showing my age!?) and the love and support of my parents, I started my own business.

This also was the best choice for me as I prefer not to get out of bed before 8AM, love being able to work in my pjs unless directly peopling and creating my own schedule! My creative soul just was not meant to work in the constraints of a 9-5 job.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I created Ashley Marie Creative Studios in January 2011 (back then it was known as Ashley Marie Photography) and while it was solely a photography business at first, it has now grown to accommodate all my creative juices of photography, graphic design, art and virtual tours for real estate. This growth was not easy. It takes a lot of work and sometimes it felt like I was hustling for peanuts, but hunny, you keep on going! One day everything changes in a blink and you just never look back!

Overcoming the concept that failure is a negative thing is one of my greatest lessons. You should never be afraid to fail! It is actually what you do in the face of failure that defines you. Failure is how you learn, grow, pivot! From failures I have pivoted in a way that created more income than what I originally thought was possible.

Getting over imposter syndrome and understanding your value and worth – Another lesson. The term “starving artist” is only as powerful as you allow it to be. Being a creative, you need to value your time and your work. As they say, your vibe attracts your tribe. If you create it and believe in it, you will attract that clientele, but you cannot be afraid to shine and put yourself out there. For the longest time I didn’t think I was good enough to charge a decent amount and I hustled and struggled for a couple of years, but the funny thing is – when I decided to charge what I was worth I started booking like crazy! When you take yourself seriously… I believe others will too and again, that vibe is out there and truly does attract the right people.

Constantly learning and growing is a key to my success. I still take online courses to better myself. I think once you believe you’re at the top and the best out there, things change so fast, you can quickly become outdated. Don’t limit yourself, but constantly invest in you and your business… in turn your clients (who will truly appreciate it).

My business means the world to me and I am extremely grateful for all the support I get. I try and give back to my community by offering my services to the local Animal Shelter (Carleton County Animal Shelter) and supporting my local food bank. I think this is so important, especially now, that we do give where we can. Without our community, we are nothing.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout to my parents who have supported me throughout every crazy business idea I have had! They never once questioned anything I was doing, but supported me 110% from providing loans, gifting me with financial support, creating studio spaces in the basement of their home, cheering me on, and spreading the word! – My parents are true number one fans!

I have loads of friends, family and business associates who have supported me along the way- I truly appreciate them. This wonderful small town of Woodstock, New Brunswick is FULL of entrepreneurial spirits and a community who shows up and supports. For that, I am grateful!

Website: www.ashleymarie.ca

Instagram: @ashmariecreative and @ashmariecreative.biz

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashmariecreative