Check Out Ashley Ice’s Story

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

Hi Ashley, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Crazy fact about this photography wedding loving woman… I never wanted to be a wedding photographer… I thought that would be the worst job. Yep. Crazy right? 

However, God had other plans. 

I met this lady who was from Denver and was in Hays, Kansas visiting family and planning her small-town wedding. She was talking about how she couldn’t find a wedding photographer in this small of a town. Going on and on about it. My friend decided to offer my services to her. 

I gasped. Almost fainted, like how could my friend offer my photographer services to her when I had never shot a wedding. I was mortified. 

The bride was like “Really?!?” and tried to hire me on the spot. I told her to give me her number, and I would think about it. I thought on it and decided I would take it. I had 8 months to learn everything I could about weddings. 

I worked 13 long hours, and I loved every single second of it. 

After that I did everything, I could to book as many weddings I could. How to be a better lifestyle photographer while mixing in my college Fine Art Photography background. How to edit digital images… when she met me, I only shot on black and white film. 

I was invested to make this dream happen. 

The fall of 2015 I moved to Kansas City to be closer to my boyfriend, now husband and father of my two babies. 

For one year I learned everything I could about Kansas City. What were all the wedding venues around the area. What amazing locations for photos, from popular to unique. Then fall of 2016, newly engaged and planning my own weddings I launched my business. 

The first 6 weeks I booked over 10 weddings and was feeling amazing. 

Throughout that whole time, I had my husband cheering me on, supporting me in every way I needed. He has been the main reason I am able to do what I do. Especially now that we have two babies under 2! He is the unseen force behind AIP. 

Throughout the years I have changed, grown, and become the photographer I am now. 

I have expanded my business to just me to Amber, Heather, Kenzie, and Ericka. May 2022, I will be training a new intern to keep expanding Ashley Ice Photography. 

Amber is my “photography soul mate”. I wanted to talk about her because she is literally the other half of AIP. I met her over 3 years ago when I was looking to bring on a full-time second lead for my business. Since then, we have really grown, learned, and creatively feed off of each other. We have spent the last three years molding the business, editing, posing, and shooting style to what it is now. Without her, this photography business would not be as grand. So, thank you so much Amber for you hard work, dedication, and drive for our clients, this business, and for me. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning your business is never a smooth road. 

I am one the photographers who started before Instagram was a thing. BEFORE photography mentorships were easy to come across. 

I have clawed my way up from the bottom to where I am now. 

I had zero business training, marketing, and social media training when I started. I purchased courses, I hired mentors, some not so good, and some who changed my life completely. 

I have cried, I have wanted to quit, and I have also celebrated my successes. 

Owning your business is not for the faint of heart. It will crush you; it will devastate you… but it will also set you so free that you will never turn back. 

It is the greatest, and hardest thing I have ever done and I will not ever stop. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a fine art photographer. I specialize in weddings/engagements. My niche for weddings are luxury, high-end, over the top. We also book brides who are considered “extra” to most of their friends and family, but to us they are perfect. We are in editorial posing, think fashion. Our editing in clean, crisp, classic, with a hint of drama. 

I am most proud that we are able to deliver clients curated galleries that they seriously gush over for years. The photos are so classic and timeless that they literally can be loved for generations to come. 

We are different from every other photographer in Kansas City and surrounding areas, plus nationally is we are fully, like fully invested into our clients. We are not “show up and wing it” type of photographers. We plan alongside our clients. We talk to them all the time from texting, emails, or IG on photo ideas. We really get to know what they want, expect and dream of. This helps us really conquer our jobs on their engagement session and their wedding. 

Some clients want high-fashion, editorial imagery. Then some want more romantic, light-hearted. With us being able to change our shooting and posing style we are able to serve a wider audience. While also keeping true to the “extra bride” we love to book. Some posing is just not for everyone, and we acknowledge that and will always get to know them before we place them in poses that do not fit their relationship. 

In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
I do see film photography is going to keep growing its popularity. I may not shoot with film currently, but it is defiantly popular and will only grow in popularity. I may bring it back to my business model. 

I think black tuxes will forever be classic. 

The trends change every year, and I know for sure 2022-2023 will be filled with gloves, embordered veils, and champagne towers. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ashleyicephotography.com/
• Instagram: ashleyicephotos

Image Credits
Ashley Ice Photography