Meet Ashley Robertson

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ashley Robertson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ashley, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Are you breathing or are you holding your breath?” – At first, it could catch you off guard. But this is a quote an old friend of mine said to a group of us at a sound bath meditation in my early twenties and I’ve sworn I’d get it tattooed on myself because of the way it resonates with me. In so many moments through life, we’re tight..or I’m tight. Jaw clenched, a white knuckle grip on the steering wheel, rushing, racing, hustling….holding my breath. But I heard this phrase and everything fell into place for me. I started to take deep breaths in moments of rush and panic, or when I’m so deeply focused in that I’ve lost touch with my body, and I found a lightness and ease wash over me that brought me right back to the present. There’s so many moments we’ve been taught to race through as life passes us by like a snap of a finger. This quote reminds me of the gift of presence, of it’s importance. This one life we get deserves to be seen and experienced with a present mind and a breath of fresh air. It’s a gift to be a part of this world and sometimes it’s easy to forget that we’ll never be this young again, we’ll never have this day again…and it’s important to me to find my way back to the present even if it just takes a big deep breath.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My art, like most, is an extension of me…my heart and my soul. These photographs and each session are all so unique and that’s something that makes them stand apart to myself and to others. That I’m able to capture these moments, all over the world, and turn them into art that never looks the same way twice.

My love of being a wall-flower is also a handy secret weapon for seeing the “moments in between” during my time with clients. A little smirk, or the right touch of sunlight to your skin, maybe even a perfect expression of a laugh someone never knew they even had…they’re special pieces of time that not everyone picks up on, and then delivering these photos and seeing someone’s reaction to feeling truly beautiful is like magic.

Although I’m endlessly proud of myself for the work I’ve done over the last decade, it’s not without it’s set of regular challenges to move past. Being a freelancer is not an easy road, especially in a city of LOTS of freelance artists. You’re constantly proving to yourself and to clients why you are the right choice for their needs and there’s a whole bunch of no’s for every yes that comes in. But making the choice to use the tenacity within me to believe in this dream and the work is what’s required of successful artists, and that’s something I work at with myself just about every day. This opportunity to chase a dream has and continues to help me heal a part of myself that wasn’t sure I believed enough in my talents to share my art with the world, or that someone would be willing to hire me to create art for them!

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.
*get in loser, we’re going for a drive!* (me to literally any friend that comes to visit lol)

As someone who’s lived in Los Angeles for ten years now, if you’re a friend of mine coming to visit…we will NOT be doing the touristy spots like Venice Beach or Hollywood Boulevard, that’s for sure! First things first we hit Malibu for a hike to the waterfalls at Escondido Canyon. We already grabbed some sandwiches from Bay City Subs first to enjoy afterwards at the beach. Then we drive through from Pacific Coast Highway up through Latigo Canyon at sunset, to hit the tops of the mountains to watch the evening cloud bank roll-in!

Another day would be a lovely day in Hollywood where we hit the west trail at Runyon Canyon, grab tacos for lunch at one of the many perfectly delicious places, and then do some record hunting at Amoeba. Then we’d wind our way through Mullholland Drive trying to point out famous people’s houses before we catch an incredible concert at The Hollywood Bowl.

If you’re here for a Sunday, the Melrose Trading Post is a must-do! Perfect way to get sunshine, steps, coffee, plants, and trinkets! Followed up with some shopping at the Grove, and then a beach campfire for the end of the day at Dockweiler beach!

So many things to do, places to see, and people to watch….so little time!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’m forever grateful for all the ways I’ve been supported creatively during my time in Los Angeles! From friends to workplaces, it’s such a gift to be in a land of creative dreamers and doers!

Over the years I’ve had so many friends (and friends of friends) take a chance with my photography for their more special moments in life, and I’m so lucky to bring so much happiness to their lives through captured memories. But it also was my previous career, helping to take Lowell Farms to the top of the industry, that truly so many creative opportunities for design, production, and photography. Through the following we built for the brand, my work was able to be recognized in a much larger way and brought me my first publishing opportunity in THE NEW YORKER of all magazines! And over time, even after my separation with the brand, it led me to new brands, new teams of incredible humans, and fresh chances to stretch myself as a photographer.

Website: www.goldenhourphotoco.com

Instagram: @goldenhourphotoco_

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenhourphotoco/

Image Credits
Personal Photo Credit: @beautyiswiild