May 8, 2017

Meet Ashley Yates of Ashley Yates Photography in Cypress

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Yates.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ashley. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Like many new moms, my passion for photography began when my oldest son was born in 2013. He was the inspiration for me to really learn how to use my camera to capture every little milestone. I am also a life-long learner so when I decided to resign from my full time teaching career to stay at home with him, it was only natural that my energy and love for learning be put into my new desire to learn everything I could about photography. When my second son was born in 2015, I quickly learned how difficult it is to get anything done with two young babies needing all of my attention. I had years worth of photos sitting on my computer waiting to be sorted and printed but I just couldn’t find the time or energy to follow through. After feeling lots of guilt for my oldest having a beautiful album cataloging his first two years of life while my youngest didn’t have any printed photographs of himself, I decided that I wanted to provide that service for new moms! I had been studying newborn photography and mentoring with some of the best in the industry so that I could provide a safe and high quality experience. But I also knew that I couldn’t just hand over a CD of images and leave new moms to fend for themselves with printing, framing, and hanging, or even worse the entire designing aspect of the baby book or album. My mission is to take care of all the fine details from the very beginning planning phase and the styling all the way through to the printing and finishing details so that my clients leave with art work that is ready to be displayed in their homes! I want new moms to sit back and enjoy their new babies while I create memories that they will cherish for a lifetime.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Every small business owner faces challenges as they grow. I learn something new every single day that makes me a better photographer and a better business owner than the day before. I’ve been lucky to have found some wonderful mentors that have helped me navigate through the challenges. I’ve also been blessed with a tribe of friends and family members that have supported me in chasing my dream and have believed in me when self-doubt began to creep in. One of the biggest struggles is finding the right balance between work life and family life. As a full time mother of two very active pre-school aged boys, I have to be on top of my game all the time. I wouldn’t have it any other way, though! I love being able to be home with them in these formative years and I love that they will grow up with a role model of a hard working mom who followed her passion. Hopefully one day, they will do the same and truly believe that they can do anything they set their minds to!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ashley Yates Photography – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Ashley Yates Photography specializes in studio newborn photography. I am trained in safe posing techniques by some of the best newborn photographers in the industry to ensure that I provide a top notch experience and that the babies are always in good hands. I am most proud of my high level of customer service. My clients trust that I will listen and make their visions come to life. Not only that, they know that the artwork I create will be of heirloom quality so that they will be able to enjoy it for a lifetime and then pass it down through the generations. I have their backs every step of the way and make it my mission to create the easiest possible experience for them during this huge transition in their lives.

So, what’s next? Any big plans?
As my business continues to grow, I plan to focus mainly on newborn through the first year of life. This is a monumental time for families and it passes in the blink of an eye. It is my greatest pleasure to be invited to capture all the first milestones of a baby’s life.

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