Photographer Interview With Ashley Carver Of El Paso, Texas
Q: What does photography mean to you?
A: I love it. I means so much to me when I can give people their photos and they realize how beautiful they are. So photography to me means to be able to help people with their self image and self esteem.
Q: Can you recall the first photo you took that made you go WOW!?
A: After a few shoots and some practice, I compared some photos to my first shoot and I was amazed at how much I had grown in just a few months.
Q: How would you describe your attention span?
A: Depends on what I’m doing.
Q: When did you decide to become a photographer?
A: I’ve always been really interested in photography. My husband purchased me a very nice camera and a couple of friends volunteered to let me shoot them and I got TONS of positive feedback about my photos and everyone incouraged me to start a career in photography.
Q: Do you have any formal training regarding photography?
A: Unfortunately no. I’ve done tons of research and have had lots of practice. I’ve also worked with my aunt who had been a well known photographer in my hometown 10+ years. But no formal training.
Q: How do you feel about cropping?
A: Not a big fan. I use my zoom to get as close as I want.
Q: Where is your favorite place to live and work as a photographer in the World and why?
A: In my hometown of Gadsden, Alabama. Because I love the people and the town. The people are so real and it’s such a beautiful place.
Q: Define the word “beauty”!
A: When someone is absolutely satisfied and comfortable with they way they are inside and out. That is when someone is beautiful to me.
Q: How does your personality change when you look through the camera?
A: I feel a lot more confident and I feel like I’m doing something good for someone.
Q: Ever concerned about failure?
A: Whenever someone sees their pictures from a shoot. It terrifies me that they won’t be satisfied, even if I am.
Q: Describe a day in your personal or professional life.
A: In my personal life I’m just a stay at home mom that enjoys spending time with my daughter.
Q: What has been the single biggest obstacle against growing as a photographer in whole?
A: Competition.
Q: What are your favorite subjects to photograph?
A: People.
Q: Have you ever thought about or actually stopped doing photography? What were the circumstances?
A: I have never thought about it actually. Even if I wasn’t doing it as my business, I’d be doing it just for me.
Q: Do you ever have photographer’s block and if yes how do you deal with it?
A: I do occasionally. But thankfully, I’ve had very creative models and they will suggest something for me and it gets my creative juices flowing.
Q: How do you describe your photographic style?
A: Beautiful and fun and carefree.
Q: Tell a little secret about yourself that no-one knows …
A: Even though I preach to my models about having great confidence and feeling beautiful about themselves in front of the camera, I have never been comfortable with myself or body image.
Q: Who or what would you love to shoot that you haven’t already?
A: I would love to shoot a wedding.
Q: How do you feel about digital manipulation and to what extent do you utilize it?
A: I prefer the most natural shoot I can do. I prefer natural light outside over using lighting in a studio. And I don’t do a lot of editing. I try to edit the photo to where is looks the best without manipulating what the model looks like.
Connect with Ashley via her MySpace profile.
