I have an extreme weakness for photography. I, myself, am not a professionally trained photographer but I take the personal liberty of photographing everything. Kids, art, food...dirt if I think it will make a good photo! So I have been told that I annoy those on Instagram and Facebook with my many pictures and my answer is typically "Well, don't look." We all have choices in life.
I have grown up in a photography "elitist" family. My dad has been taking pictures since the dawn of time. That represents a really long time. The basement of our house was a makeshift darkroom. Large black trash bags covered the small windows to prevent light from seeping through, large format enlargers, timers and the "secret" photo paper were all on hand. Trays full of developers chemicals sat in the laundry area neatly in a row so that the processing went smoothly. To this day if I walk into a room where there is the smell of photo chemicals I breathe it right in and it feels like home.
I have witnessed the purchase of thousands of dollars in camera equipment, particularly Nikon, as my dad has an extreme prejudice to anything else. While others received little click-and-go cameras for their birthday, I received my first Nikon 35 mm and the instructions read like a foreign language. I have set up countless backdrops and held lighting and umbrellas for shoots I didn't want to be at. I watched my dad, who by trade is an audiologist, earn a degree in photography later in life. He could have been teaching the classes.
Growing up with an exceptional, artistic photographer as a parent makes it difficult to ever have your picture taken by another. I have to admit, my standards are probably over the top when it comes to photography. However, I did it. I found someone.
Back in January I was perusing Facebook and came across a lovely photography site, Mud Goddess Photography. The site was different. The photography as well as the concepts were mystical and unique. I believe the stars lined up that evening because the photographer had posted a call for models with the exact specifications as my Cate.
The model call was for her unique line of American Girl photo shoots. She was looking for a Kit Kittredge.
I replied to the call with pictures and the attitude of "hey, if this works out I think it would be a lot of fun for Cat!" Cate had been through the ringer the previous year with all of her health problems and I thought this would be a great self-esteem booster.
Low and behold she got the gig and the rest is history. A beautiful friendship has developed between Ashley Skaggs Parker, the owner of Mud Goddess Photography and myself. If I could have her photographing every day of my life she would be the person I would select to tell the story through pictures.
Ashley describes her photography on her blog as custom ethereal portraiture and I couldn't agree more. She has carved in a niche for herself in a market saturated with those who claim to be the real deal and those who really are.
She's the real deal. When I first met Ashley she was running a successful photography workshop in her studio space in downtown Cincinnati. The studio is in an old, industrial automobile factory adorned with large windows that allow natural lighting to be the main element of Ashley's photography.
She shares the studio space with two Anatomy Vintage, which specializes in vintage treasures. Ashley just completed a spectacular photo shoot for Anatomy Vintage that was featured in Redbook Magazine. I told you, she's going places!
Ashley's work captures people, more importantly, each photograph captures elements of emotion and desire. Her work borders on surrealism at times and makes you want to create a different escape each weekend. Her focus isn't just on people, she captures commercial elements and still life in an equally magical way.
Ashley's work speaks for itself. One look and your drawn in. What's even better about Mud Goddess is the fact that Ashley partners with her sister, Brittaney, to style her shoots. It's a family affair and Brittaney adds a creative, fun flare to each photograph. Brittaney has a sharp eye and I was immediately drawn to her due to our love of searching for vintage finds.
Not long after Cate's modeling gig, we had another shoot at the studio. She just gets it.
Take the time and visit Mud Goddess Photography. She specializes in a number of photographic genres and her portfolio is equipped to support each. She also hosts photography workshops for a variety of skill levels. Below are the links where you can reach Ashley for her Facebook, website and Etsy shop.
http://www.mudgoddess.com
https://www.facebook.com/mudgoddessphotography
http://www.mudgoddess.com/blog/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/MudGoddessPhoto?ref=l2-shopheader-name
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