We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashlee Crianza and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Ashlee, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I loved the idea of being able to have the freedom of creating my own schedule and spending more time with my family. I also loved the fact that I would finally be able to make a career using my art background.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I would describe my style of photography as warm, earthy, with a little bit of edge. I would have to say with my business what sets me apart would be the client experience. With my clients I’m there every step of the way. From helping with outfits for sessions to planning and helping with the final timeline. Where I am today definitely wasn’t easy but what I can say is that it has been worth all of the hard times and struggles. The main challenges I had to overcome was working through all of the growing pains of a business. While art comes to me naturally, running a business was a whole new challenge. All of the learning and the struggles helped me shape into the business owner I am today. I am a firm believer that trials we go through are preparing us for things ahead.
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.
I actually had a friend visit from Madrid and I wanted to show her and her boyfriend all of the cool places in the city. We started off the night at dinner at one of our favorite taco spots, Tacos La Calle and then headed to Truck Yard for a couple drinks, live band, and of course a mini Ferris wheel ride. I would definitely say catch an Astros game or a Texans game depending on the season.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I started my photography journey I had a friend named Kristin who was a full time wedding photographer, who took me under her wing and taught me so much! Between mentoring with her I also attended workshops and conferences to learn as much as I possibly could. One conference I really enjoyed was Styled Shoots Across America which was in Dallas. That conference was the pivot in my business because up until that point I was shooting anything and everything. I left SSAA feeling inspired and ready to go full time in Wedding Photography.
Website: Ashleecrianzaphoto.com
Instagram: Ashlee Crianza Photography
Facebook: Ashlee Crianza Photography