Meet Ashley Rose | Travel and Landscape Photographer

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

Hi Ashley, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Determination. The photography business can be discouraging at times because it’s an art form and not everyone will like your style. My husband has been my biggest influencer and supporter in times when I’ve tinkered with the thought of giving up. I have so many images that have been edited but have never been seen by the public eye, and I have found that being intentional with posting photos and reimaging my website from time to time has boosted my sales, even a little. The most important decision I have made was simply to get my business started and stay true to myself as an artist. I, like every other artist, have had a few bouts of discouragement along the way that’s prevented me from launching my business sooner. I have had people try to change my style as a photographer and I had to make the choice to back away from that environment and instead stay true to myself and my style as a photographer, and I will never regret that decision.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is that I am an NC Based Photographer that works full-time as a children’s librarian at our local public library. I have a B.S. in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Library Science, and only a few Photoshop and photography classes from a local community college to add to my repertoire. Most of what I’ve learned about photography and editing has come from experience, YouTube tutorials, and trial and error. My photos are my personal experiences, from my vacations to visit my cousin Marjie and her husband Jim in Arizona, anniversary excursions with my husband to visit snowy landscapes like Wyoming and Alaska, and family trips with my parents to the beaches and mountains of North Carolina. Therefore, there’s a story and a memory behind every picture I capture. I am very excited to share my story, my experiences, and my art with you because it’s a part of who I am as an individual. I don’t go on location as an assignment, I go on location to experience it with the people I love the most.

Since I was a little girl and received my first film camera for Christmas when I was seven, I have had a passion for photography. For me, photography is freezing memories in time, that I can always go back to later to reminisce. I first found I had an eye for landscape photography on one of my earliest trips to Grand Teton National Park when I was 9. After the photos came back from being developed, I was obsessed with nature and the beauty of God’s creation and I wanted to capture that more than anything else.

I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, even in college. I ended up becoming an educator because I had a passion for working with children and that was a very secure career. Although my camera has been my confidant throughout my childhood, I never considered making a career out of it, even part-time. My story goes: While out in Wyoming Spring of 2021, on vacation with my husband for our anniversary, I found a beautiful shot of the T.A. Moulton barn in an art studio, framed and priced at $1,500. It was a gorgeous piece of art but I thought, “I can do that”. We found out where the barn was located and went the next day. The roads to get to the barn were closed and there was a foot of snow on the ground. We packed a lunch and decided to hike a mile and a half in the snow to get the shot. I met another photographer out there, and we both agreed that the harsh shadows on the barn weren’t going to make for a great shot, but I had to try. Once I got home and edited my work, having been pleasantly surprised by my result, I posted the picture to a Grand Teton National Park Facebook page. I instantly got hundreds of likes, and a couple of requests to purchase the shot. My mind was blown! There were people in the world that wanted to put my photo on their walls! I would post my photos to Instagram in hopes that my followers would like my work, but never thought of anyone wanting to pay me for my photography because photography was a hobby at that time. After the process of ordering prints for my new clients was complete, my husband, Bear, inspired me to start a website so anyone could shop my collections and order directly from the site. I was pleasantly surprised that people enjoy landscape photography and are often looking for specific pieces to go in their homes. This was the launchpad of my photography career.

However, getting to this point in my career hasn’t always been easy, in fact at times, I thought of completely giving up, selling my equipment, and deleting my social media accounts. After going through a spot in my career where I almost gave up but ultimately bounced back from it with the support of my husband and friends that believed in me, the affirmation that sticks with me the most is: My work is my art; my art is me: ART Photography. Art can be interpreted in so many ways, and there are so many different forms and styles of art. I’ve come to the realization that my photos won’t please everyone and my style isn’t for everyone’s tastes, and I am now okay with that. I am sure every artist goes through a point in their career where they feel like giving up and giving in, but we must stay true to what makes our work unique. I’ve’ learned to take risks. You will never find out what will happen if you don’t go for it and take a leap of faith. I like to consider myself a risk taker because I wouldn’t be where I am today if not for taking risks, but there are many times, I have failed. One thing I have to remember when I do fail is that I have simply found another way to not do something and I will never regret that I didn’t at least try. We all should go for it, take that shot, and if we fail, find another way and try again. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I want to inspire people to travel and get out in nature to witness and see God’s beautiful creation. From the mountains that were formed to the cluster of stars shaping our galaxy in the sky, getting out and seeing it firsthand really puts into perspective how small we are in this world. I was a kid that traveled with my family and found a passion that changed my life. I want people to remember to take chances and take a risk from time to time. It’s better to take a risk and risk failing, than live in regret of never trying at all, and who knows, that risk may actually turn out to be rewarding in the end.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Prescott, AZ: Let’s begin our trip from Prescott, Arizona. Fly into the cutest little airport around, (PRC) the Prescott Regional Airport, where there are only two gates, and where you’ll meet the friendliest people. From there, get settled in at your classy AirBnB or one of the majestic and possibly haunted hotels in downtown Prescott including the Vendome Hotel or St. Michael’s hotel. Take a day to shop downtown on Gurley, Montezuma, or Cortez street.

Make sure to stop in at BoSa Donuts which claims to be the “Best Donuts in Arizona” and I wouldn’t dare argue with that! One of my favorite places to shop in downtown Prescott is the Spice Traveler, and don’t forget to visit upstairs to purchase a pair of handmade blown glass earrings and shop all of the unique treasures of local artists. For lunch, take a few steps across the street to the Bistro St. Michael to have the very best Tomato Bisque Soup in the world. And before you leave, make your way through the double doors to shop the local shops within that building including the bookshop right behind the bistro. This quaint little town has a lot of history, and what better place to pick up a book about it?

While in Prescott, you’ll see a “P19” on Badger Mountain that represents the Granite Mountain Hotshots. This was a team of hotshots sent out to fight the Yarnell Hill fire in 2013 where 19 of the team tragically perished. The movie “Only the Brave” is based on their story, and you will want to take a trip to the Prescott Gateway Mall to the Granite Mountain Interagency Hotshot Learning Center to learn more about their heroic story and see many artifacts that are on display.

Before leaving Prescott, we must do a little hiking. Hike around Watson Lake for the most unique bubble rock formations that set themselves apart from the otherwise vast, dry landscape. You may even find a local road runner that will pose for you! Also, check out Lynx Lake for some beautiful photography and a fun hike!

Take a road trip north from Prescot towards Flagstaff, but be sure to stop at the beautiful Red Rock Sedona! While you’re there enjoy some tortilla soup made fresh at the “Sedona 89 Agave Cantina” and make some time to shop local! Take a little detour to Williams to ride the train to the Grand Canyon on the Grand Canyon Railway, which is by far the most unique Grand Canyon experience I’ve ever had. When you finally get to Flagstaff, stop by Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument to gaze at the lava flow landscape and walk amongst the remains. Head up to Cameron and be sure to stop at the Cameron Trading Post on the Navajo Reservation for authentic Navajo Tacos and Navajo goods and jewelry. You won’t regret it! You’ll want to spend a couple of days traveling and taking in all the local sights and tastes!

Head north a little ways to Page, AZ. This is where you’ll find the historic Navajo Bridge constructed in 1927 in Marble Canyon and the Glen Canyon Dam which helps power many homes in many states with its hydroelectric energy! You may even find a local artist has set up shop for the day to sell their goods! The famous Antelope Canyon is nearby, but if you’re wishing for a more secret getaway, book a private “Secret Canyon” tour through the local touring agencies in Page and you’ll not be disappointed. You get just as much slot canyon beauty without all of the tourism. Along those same lines, you can also book a Horseshoe Bend tour that takes you on Navajo land, which isn’t accessible without a local guide. You’ll find a beautiful, awe-inspiring, breathtaking view of the Colorado River pressed up against the 4,000 ft rock wall that makes up Horseshoe Bend, but with only a few people versus the public overlook where the parking lot stays full even on the messiest of days. For dinner, visit State 48 Tavern and Taproom for some amazing Avocado Black Bean Tacos. They are sure to hit the spot after a long day of travel and hiking!

Be sure to step outside one night, especially in the summer, away from city lights, and look for the cluster of stars of the Milky Way. This is a photographer’s dream!

On your way back to Prescott, set your sights on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon for some unique views of the less visited, but just as beautiful side of the canyon.

Other sites that are a definite must-see and noteworthy:
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Chinle, AZ
Montezuma Castle National Monument, Camp Verde, AZ
Petrified Forest National Park, AZ
Monument Valley, AZ/UT

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Bear, is the biggest supporter of my work and I wouldn’t be where I am today in my photography journey without his consistent encouragement in my darkest career moments. He’s the one that encouraged me to step out and take a leap of faith to start my business and create my website. He got me started with professional photography, was there with me as a second shooter for my first wedding photography shoot, bought me my “more professional” DSLR camera, and even prints out my photos on canvas or metal to go in our home or his office to display my work. He’s what keeps me grounded when opposition comes my way and he’s the one that sends me over the moon when I get that shot that I’ve always wanted and it turns out flawless. He travels with me to get the shot and I’m simply grateful to have him in my life.

Website: ashleyrosephotos.com

Instagram: artphotography4

Image Credits
Ashley Rose Photography