I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. Life can be quite lonely sometimes, and the creative industry can be even lonelier. Especially when you’re relatively new to the scene! Social media tells you that all of these amazing creatives are doing spectacular things, often together, and you’re sitting alone in your office trying to nail skin tones in post processing. Phew. It can be exhausting. And that is why you need allies in this industry! And even more than allies, real friends. Enter Ashley.

Ashley’s a portrait photographer from Salem, VA, only about 40 minutes down the road from me. We met at the illusive Creative at Heart conference that I haven’t stopped talking about since. And then, we got to serve together at the second C@H conference in March. And that’s where we really got to know each other. We had a bonding moment…in the bathroom of all places, back in January, and then got to spend 3 whole days together for C@H round two. It was glorious. And that’s where I realized how lovely it was to have someone to talk business with, to share life with, without pretense. Without being afraid of offending and without secretly wondering if the other person is a better photog or boss lady than you. (let’s be real, we’ve all been there) Ashley’s my friend that I can tell my recent failures to and my recent successes, and even my frustrations. And it’s really good, and it’s been a game changer in feeling like I have community in this industry in the last few months.

And because that’s the type of relationship we have, it makes it super easy to learn from each other! So last week, we dragged our husbands out to Sinkland Farms (because we wanted to double date AND photo practice) and practiced posing each other. It’s always nerve wracking to get another photog in front of your camera, but it’s also good! And the Lord gave us a super duper cloudy and dreary day so that we could practice in less than ideal circumstances as well. So it was a win all around!

Also, bonus! It was great to spend time with Ashley with her other half present, her high school sweetheart, Robert. They balance each other out and make each other laugh in the best ways. Also it was awesome to hear that Ashley was instructing Robert to take behind the scenes instagrams…because that’s what I’m always snapping at David to do. ;] And it was hilarious to catch Robert taking panoramas and close ups of the wheat whenever we looked away. I hope you enjoy their little mini session as much as David and I enjoyed spending time with them!

Love this :] Especially because it’s when I accidentally told Ashley to “cheek Robert’s kiss”….this is what happens when I talk too fast, friends.

She’s so pretty 😀

And even though it was past sunset at this point…we tried doing some quick headshot :]

Frizzy hair for the win!

If you decided you’re in love with these two then you should probably check out their wedding pictures by Katelyn James.