#533 In this episode of the podcast, I chat with Ashley Marston, an accomplished birth and family photographer from British Columbia, Canada. Ashley opens up about her journey from film to digital photography and the deeply personal moments that shaped her career. She shares her method of balancing documentary and lifestyle photography, offering insightful advice on maintaining creativity, engaging with clients, and conquering the unique challenges of birth photography.

THE BIG IDEAS

• Finding Your Vision: Identifying a meaningful subject that you love to photograph can reveal your potential and passion, just as it did for Ashley.
• Evolving with Technology: Embracing new tools like digital cameras can open up opportunities to experiment, improve, and expand your skills.
• Balancing Control and Authenticity: Knowing when to direct a scene and when to let moments unfold naturally leads to genuine, impactful photographs.
• Staying Motivated: Maintaining a positive mindset and communication with clients ensures rejuvenation and high-quality work despite unexpected challenges.

PHOTOGRAPHY ACTION PLAN

1. Explore and Understand Lighting: Spend time observing how light changes throughout the day in various settings. Experiment with different lighting techniques, such as backlighting or using reflectors, to see their effects on your photos.
2. Practice Authentic Moments: Capture everyday moments of your family or friends, focusing on candid shots that tell a story. Choose a relaxed setting and let the subjects act naturally, aiming for unposed and genuine interactions.
3. Develop a Consistent Creative Routine: Start a Project 365, committing to take and post one meaningful photo every day. Use this project to focus on different aspects of photography each month, such as lighting, composition, or movement.
4. Engage with Your Subject: Communicate with your subjects before and during the shoot to make them comfortable and involved in the process. Plan your sessions around typical family activities to capture authentic moments that reflect their everyday life.
5. Set and Track Your Photography Goals: Write down specific goals you want to achieve, such as getting featured in a publication or mastering a new technique. Regularly submit your best work to reputable competitions or communities to gauge progress and receive constructive feedback.

RESOURCES:
Visit Ashley Marston's Website - https://www.ashleymarstonphotography.com/
Follow Ashley Marston on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ashleymarstonphotography/

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• Join the free Beginner Photography Podcast Community at https://beginnerphotopod.com/group
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Thanks for listening & keep shooting!