Meet Ashley Wegh

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

Hi Ashley, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My business started shortly after I had my daughter. She was 2 years old when I began to see real success and could call this a full-time job (she’s almost 10 now). However, maintaining balance has always been a challenge, and it’s still a work in progress.

From the start, I built my business around my family life, which means I constantly adjust my work routines and workload expectations. A few years ago, I hit burnout. I was working during every free minute, and my body was crashing. My brain felt like it was constantly buzzing , and my nerves were fried. That’s when I decided to hire a VA (virtual assistant). She handles my emails, contracts, invoices, and calendar. While I’m still involved, she keeps me organized and professional. Learning that it’s okay to delegate tasks you don’t enjoy was step one in achieving true work-life balance. Her office hours pushed me to enforce my own, setting rules around when and how much I work each day.

As my daughter gets older, I’ve eliminated tasks that don’t serve me creatively or time-wise. For instance, I no longer take weddings or shoot more than two sessions in a day. Mondays are dedicated to therapy and self-care, with no work expectations. I also make time for physical activity and activities that rejuvenate me before starting my workday. Everyone’s life circumstances and needs are different, so being adaptable is crucial.

Currently, I’m in a season where working less feels right. I’m not chasing dollars or trying to establish my brand, and I’m okay with making less money. Right now, this is the balance my family and I need.

Who knows, maybe next week things will change, and that’s okay too. Flexibility is the key here.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is very much people-centered. I photograph families and brands, typically small female-owned businesses, but it’s the families that truly fill my cup. What sets me apart is my focus on the people and the relationships between them. I encourage my clients to show up as their authentic selves. Often, families and photographers get caught up in the aesthetics they see on social media – the dresses, the hair, the makeup, the locations. But that’s not real life. If your family photos don’t reflect the real you, what’s the point? Are they images you’ll cherish year after year? Will your kids ask to see them? Or are they just something to hang on your wall?

What I’m most proud of is my ability to help people see the beauty in their authenticity. It might not lead to a ton of likes or follows, but impressing strangers isn’t my goal – impressing my clients is. It’s important for artists to ask themselves who they are creating for and why they are making certain choices. Is it for you, or is it for your client?

Getting to where I am today wasn’t easy. I think you’d be hard-pressed to find any entrepreneur who says it is. It’s a lot of work and a commitment to show up every single day, even when you don’t want to. There are many aspects of running a business that aren’t fun, but they have to be done. That’s how I overcame the challenges – I showed up, did the work, asked lots of questions, and learned from my mistakes and the mistakes of others. My goal was never rapid growth; it was always slow, maintainable baby steps. This approach allowed me to see potential issues before they happened and pivot when necessary.

One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of taking care of myself and prioritizing rest. It’s easy to keep working when you’re passionate or when you work from home. Your business becomes your baby, but you need to have a life and time outside of that. Make sure you’re charging what you’re worth so you can afford that time.

My brand is relationship-focused, which makes it super fun and genuine. Truly, my clients become my friends; they are people I care about, and they care about me. I’ve always operated from a place of loving kindness, and I really think my brand and the images I create reflect that.

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?
We’d definitely start by exploring some of my favorite greenhouses, with Oakridge Nursery topping the list. This time of year, a visit to the local farmers market is a must in my opinion.

I LOVE coffee so we would hit up all of my favorites. Daylily Coffee, owned by friends, offers an amazing experience, while The Breaks is a hidden gem with one of the most welcoming atmospheres around, and Coffea is a local favorite. We would also track down the Rainy Day Coffee Co. truck for its unique brews and honestly, it’s run by the sweetest person.

CH Patisserie is a must-stop for Dessert. It’s a family favorite and the perfect place to celebrate any occasion. Bagel Boy, a local bagel shop, is another must stop. We usually hit this place up on the last day. Most of my friends like to take a bag of Bagels back home with them.

Sioux Falls has so many amazing food options! Dada Gastropub is a great spot with fantastic food, live music, and frequent festivals. For those looking for a dive bar vibe with great shows, Club David is the place to be. The local record store, Total Drag, also hosts great pop-up shows and is conveniently located next to The Breaks.

For a fancier dining experience, Mirabella offers the best Italian cuisine in town. And for breakfast, MB Haskett stands out with its ever-changing, locally sourced menu, also serving coffee from The Breaks.

When it comes to activities, the Washington Pavilion Science Center is a fantastic spot, especially for families, and catching a Broadway show there is always a treat. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the state parks like the Palisades for hiking, as well as the extensive bike and walking trails along the river, and we can’t forget Falls Park which is a must-stop for anyone. Frontier Climbing and Fitness offers indoor climbing for an active day out, and AMT’s hot yoga sculpt classes are a great way to stay fit and relaxed.

Sioux Falls is full of amazing options, and there’s always something happening around town. Whether it’s enjoying local food, exploring scenic trails, or catching live shows, there’s no shortage of fun and interesting experiences to share with a best friend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t even know where to begin! Graduating college for photography was incredible, introducing me to fantastic artists and professors who have shaped my journey. I wouldn’t be here today without them.

First and foremost, I have to thank my college professor, Don Clark. He went above and beyond, truly caring about all of his students. His support was invaluable. Haley Nelson has always been a cheerleader and someone I can bounce ideas off of, providing constant encouragement. Carly Kewley, an amazing graphic designer at Hey, Carl, has also been a key part of my support system.

My friend Cait Timmerman, a talented videographer and content creator, has been there for me during those darker entrepreneurial moments (I’m not entirely convinced that imposter syndrome ever goes away). My mother-in-law, who is also a CPA, has been incredible, ensuring my business remains on solid ground.

I’ve also benefited immensely from countless books and podcasts, always striving to learn and improve both myself and my business. Additionally, certain Facebook groups, like The Lawtog, have taught me a lot through the shared experiences and mistakes of others. You can learn so much just by lurking!

Website: https://ashleywegh.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyweghphotography/

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

Image Credits
Ashley Wegh Photography