Hi, I’m Ashlin! I’m a Landscape and Nature Photographer based out of northern Utah. I’ve been a hobbyist photographer for most of my life. I got my first camera when I was in middle school. It was a little off brand point and shoot that I carried around with me everywhere. When I got into my later years of high school I knew I wanted to be a photographer. I also loved science and nature, I had particular passion for the Marine Sciences. The plan was to go to university for Marine Biology and learn the science behind what makes the world tick and use the knowledge to better my underwater photography. But, I got distracted from the big picture. My favorite subject was ecology, the study of relationships between organisms and the elements around them. Its fascinating! The whole world functions in a very beautiful and cohesive way if you look close enough. I think its my artistic nature that enjoys ecology so much.
I’ve always had this internal struggle between science and art. My intention was to be an underwater photographer, but somewhere along the way I lost my drive for art. I found myself too busy with school to have time to enjoy taking photos. I got buried in studying and research. When I left school I got a job as an aquarist. It paid well, it was in my field, and I really truly enjoyed it. After a few years I started to feel unsatisfied, like I wasn’t being true to myself. So, I quit.
I am giving myself one year to get this photography thing off the ground -January 2023- I am doing it full time now, 40 hours a week dedicated to my art. I want to make my hobby into a successful career. Being a professional fine arts photographer is a lot of hard work. People aren’t paying you to take their family portraits, or booking out weddings. You have to make money selling prints, doing workshops, or (if you’re lucky) contracting with a magazine. It wont be easy but it’ll be worth it.
Follow along my journey! I’ll be posting regularly to Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. I’ll also be writing an occasional blog post on this site when interesting things happen while out in the field. Socials are linked on the site header!
