Why High School Senior Photographer?

Greetings, fabulous readers! It’s Ashley Kay Smith, your go-to High School Senior Photographer, and I’m ecstatic to welcome you to the inaugural edition of my blog. Strap in, y’all, because we’re about to embark on a journey through the lens of Last Forever Images, where we weave stories, capture dreams, and build confidence, all one click at a time.

Picture this – a small-town dreamer turned entrepreneur. That’s me, Ashley Kay Smith, your friendly neighborhood Senior Photographer. Navigating the picturesque landscapes of Everett, Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Lynnwood, and the Greater Seattle areas, Last Forever Images isn’t just a business; it’s a mission. A mission to elevate the confidence of High School seniors through the artistry of our camera lens.

Now, let’s rewind the clock 3.5 years. I never envisioned myself as a business owner, let alone one wielding a camera to empower the teens in my community. But life has a funny way of surprising us. So, how did I go from a preteen with a penchant for snapping photos to a dedicated High School Senior Photographer? Buckle up, because we’re about to delve into the Ashley Kay Smith origin story.

Back in my preteen days, every camera in sight beckoned me like a magnetic force. Visiting friends and family meant immersing myself in the snapshots adorning their walls and the mesmerizing photos nestled in coffee table albums. By the time I hit high school, I’d already dipped my toes into a photography class, setting the stage for my future as a photographer.

But, ah, the twists and turns of fate! I was told that photography wouldn’t be a lucrative career. Teaching, they said, was the gold mine. And so, off I went, fueled by a passion for working with children and adolescents, guiding them to dream big and embrace self-love. Teaching seemed like the logical path – the one everyone approved of.

Fast forward to 2019, where my dormant love for photography erupted like a volcano. My attempts to borrow a camera fell on deaf ears, prompting an impulsive trip to Best Buy for my very own Mirrorless Sony a6000. The world of interchangeable lens cameras was now my playground. Sure, my initial photos were, in a word, horrendous. But hey, my friends were kind enough to endure my photographic experiments.

Then came the pivotal moment – a friend named Deaunte believed in me enough to part with $20. AshleyKay Photography was born, though looking back, maybe starting to take on clients at that stage was a tad premature. The first year was a crash course in photography basics, fueled by countless YouTube tutorials and a barrage of questions in Facebook groups.

Zoom into 2021, and it hit me like a bolt of lightning – this photography gig could be more than just a side hustle. I loved my name, but I craved something that resonated with my why – using photography as a healing force. Coping with loss, I found solace in the photos of my departed loved ones. That became my mission – offering the same solace to my clients. The rebranding ensued, with Last Forever Images taking center stage, and the talented trio of MrsJDesigns, StylebyFitted, and Emazing Photography adding a touch of professionalism.

As the calendar flipped to the present day, my focus has honed in on High School Seniors – the heartbeat of my passion. Empowering these young souls to dream big and love themselves is not just a job; it’s a calling. My lens captures more than just images; it encapsulates moments, emotions, and stories waiting to be told.

So, dear readers, here we are at the culmination of my first-ever blog post. I hope you enjoyed the rollercoaster ride through my journey from impromptu photographer to dedicated High School Senior Photographer. If you have questions, insights, or just want to share your thoughts, drop a comment below. Until next time, keep dreaming, keep loving, and keep smiling! 📷✨