Meet Ashley Haxby | Owner + Lead Photographer

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

Hi Ashley, can you talk to us a bit about the social impact of your business?
Boudoir is such an intimate form of photography. In short, you’re asking an artist to show you what they see, which is, of course, incredibly vulnerable. The gift of boudoir is stepping out of your own perception of yourself and into another perspective. My studio is intentional in all that we do; the experience we offer is about so much more than the images we produce. It’s about the support we offer, the personalized attention, the community we’ve built. We recognize that deciding to experience a boudoir session is no small decision, and we also recognize that the confidence comes after boldly deciding to book. We offer a safe space to meet the person that exists inside of our studio, and ultimately our goal is to capture the outcome of what happens when everyday you and boudoir meet. Then, you take that newfound strength, confidence, & self awareness out into your daily life and the ripple effect expands. You inspire others. You make changes in your relationships. Who’s to say where that ripple ends?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think I started where every photographer starts. Passionate, but gridlocked by real life. I had a successful career in Audiology and decided to take photography up on the side and I shot weddings and families and as I grew my wedding business, clients began asking me about boudoir. I think it was at the completion of my 4th session that I realized that I was being irresponsible. Yes. Irresponsible. I was treating this genre like the others, as a side job, a hustle, a hobby. It was at the finish of my 4th session that I realized I needed to invest in myself and my business if I was going to be a responsible, ethical, and trustworthy boudoir photographer. I left my industry, I invested thousands into boudoir specific training, thousands still into equipment, wardrobe, my own personal healing, and only then did I open my doors for business. I recognized how much damage could be done by saying the wrong thing, offering the wrong service, not self educating around trauma and consent. So, besides our epic and unique sets, our amazing and size inclusive wardrobe, and our same day image reveals, I’d say what sets us apart is the very foundation on which we created our brand and will continue to operate by.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We love being located to close to Cave Creek/Carefree, AZ. We love taking clients to Raven’s View Winebar and then shopping at Desert Moon Marketplace or Althea West. We love lunch at Local Johnny’s, reiki at The Space, and live music at Janey’s!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I wouldn’t be in the place I am today without some powerful women in my corner. Jillian Holper is an incredible counselor in Mesa who has helped me heal my mind, grow, and become resourced enough to hold the space I do for other women. Dr. Leticia Qumur-Busler of Vitalship Naturopathic Family Medicine has helped to heal my body and has empowered me and Treasure of The Space in Cave Creek has held space for me countless times and has assisted in the healing my of spirit. And of course Alex Loveland who provided the roadmap when I was lost.

Website: www.ashlynboudoirphotography.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ashlynboudoirphotography

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/simplysultry