Featured: Ashley Morton Photography

I met Ashley Morton about a year or so ago and we hit it off fairly quickly. I recently did some headshots for her and I wanted to feature her business on my blog. She’s a photographer, a military spouse and a mom.

Every photographer has their own specialties and styles. Ashley doesn’t photograph newborns and she prefers a more story telling approach to photography, where as I’m more traditional.

How long have you been in business?

I officially launched my photography business 6 months after moving to Jacksonville and I’m going on my second full year in business.  
How did you get your start?

Having a child was the catalyst for my photography passion but I actually got my start through blogging. In blogging, it’s crucial to have engaging and interesting images in your content, especially when partnering with brands. So I found myself working hard to better my photography for work, which spilled over to my kids and the here I am today!
What do you photograph?

I specialize in families, engagement and weddings.
How do you define your style?

In my photography I combine traditional portraiture with documentary and lifestyle work. My images are vibrant in color but lean toward the light and airy.

What drew you to lifestyle photography?

I’m passionate about capturing children as they are and documenting the moments and relationships that matter in our lives. I felt like traditional portraiture doesn’t leave a lot of room for this story telling experience and that’s what drew me to lifestyle photography. I didn’t realize it at the time but beginning my photography journey was the culmination of my life’s passions: I’m a storyteller, a historian, a joy seeker. and a travel addict. Photography allows me to do & be all of those things. I believe in love & in family. I believe in documenting experiences today so that one day our grandchildren will open old & worn photo albums to learn about the history of people they love and where they came from.

What is a piece of advice you can give to newbies?

Pick up your camera every day, for yourself and for your business. Try everything. You will never know what genre or style is going to speak to your heart.

What’s something you can’t live without (besides your loved ones)?

Soda. I’m an addict and I’m pretty sure it’s running thru my veins. I also can’t live without travel. Which sounds so cliché but it keeps my life from feeling stagnant – which is why my family jokes that I was made to be a military spouse. I’m always up for the next adventure.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?|

We’re in the military so it’s almost impossible to tell but I’m hoping someplace overseas! I’m pushing hard for us to get stationed over there.

What’s your favorite food?

I’m a pasta addict. Actually, give me all the carbs. Bread, pasta, and pizza for days.

Favorite dessert?

My favorite dessert is homemade strawberry rhubarb pie but when I can’t get that I’ll settle for Key Lime Pie at Poe’s Tavern or the Cheesecake at Maggianos.

Favorite restaurant?

That’s so tough! Jacksonville has so many great options. The last place we visited was Hawkers, it’s never a bad choice!

Favorite place to hang out in Jacksonville?

We love bike riding at Hanna Park and my favorite beach is Big Talbot.

What is your favorite thing to do around Jacksonville?

Definitely beach days. We live a mile from the beach and I try to get down there as often as possible. I grew up in a state where it’s cold about 8 months out of the year so I try to take advantage of living in Florida.

When your family comes to town, what is something you guys always have to do while they are in town?

First, we always take them to Poe’s and then head around the corner to Whit’s Frozen Custard. It’s becoming a tradition that on their first visit we take them to Poe’s. Then they request to come back each time.

What’s your favorite movie?

Bridesmaids is always my first thought when I get asked this. I’m a HUGE Melissa McCarthy fan. But I’m also a big fan of 80s coming of age movies.

What’s your favorite song?

I grew up on country music but right now I’m loving on Ed Sheeran and almost everything he does. It’s a toss up between Galway Girl by Ed Sheeran or Marry Me by Thomas Rhett.

You’re a military family. Where are you from originally?

My husband and I grew up, got married, bought our first home and had our first child in Michigan. It’s still my favorite place on earth during the summer months and we go back every year. But I hate it the other 9 months of the year, which is one of the reasons we joined the military and moved to Florida! We just celebrated the 3 year anniversary of our move to Jacksonville and we love this city so much. It’s definitely a place we see ourselves coming back to once we’ve seen some more of the world.

What’s the biggest difference between your hometown and here? Any surprises?

The difference between our hometown and Jacksonville is night and day. I grew up in a town of less than 3,000. There was no such thing as delivery. The closest major retail store was a good 20 minute drive and getting to the mall involved a day trip. Needless to say I’ve fallen in love with all the little luxuries that come with living in a major city and I don’t think I could ever go back!

And Ashley was kind enough to send me this as well. So if you’re wondering about the headshot experience:

Having my headshots done with Christy was an awesome experience. As a photographer, I’m so often behind the lens that I forget what it’s like to be in front of it. Especially because when I do hand my camera over to someone to snap a photo, it’s just never the same! Needless to say, I was so nervous showing up for my headshots. Especially because I have some insecurities (don’t we all)? But Christy was great about addressing my issues head on and posing me in the most flattering angles. I haven’t got to see all of the images yet but the sneak peek I did see took away all of my worries!

 

You can find Ashley here:

http://www.ashleymorton.com

http://www.instagram.com/ashleymortonphotography
https://www.facebook.com/AshleyMortonPhotography/