Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlyn Kudransky.
Hi Ashlyn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
“It’s been 84 years, and I can still smell the fresh paint” – an itchy, 6 year old me covered in chicken pox watched in the theater, transfixed by the big screen.
It was December of 1997, and the first of 8 times I would watch Titanic in theaters. You can decide for yourself which was worse; a 6 year old watching Titanic or a kid with chicken pox in a public movie theater. It was a different time. It was the 90’s.
Born in 1991 to an 18 year old Playboy model mother and 30 year old musician Father, my life was bound to be a wild ride. They split when I was 3, and after a grueling custody battle I was launched into the real world: one of adults acting like children, so children had to act like adults.
Whether it was the newest box office hit or latest music video premiere, as a young person I became obsessed with how good storytelling changes everything. I threw myself into every fantasy and story that intrigued me and it made me soar. Memorizing lyrics, and movie lines, imagining and day dreaming my way through it all. Life at home was tough, but I was tougher.
As I got older, my disposable or digital camera would come everywhere with me and, yes, the entire album would end up on my self-coded Myspace profile. The internet was the Wild West, and I, a willing participant.
It wasn’t until I lost someone who meant the world to me to a drug overdose that I decided to pick up a film camera for the first time. I lost myself in the excitement of memorializing a moment, letting life “just be” for a frame of time. That was it for me, and I was hooked. I knew this was the way I wanted to tell stories. This was the way I would change everything.
I worked day in and day out to build my
photography skills, but never dreamt it could turn into a career. I gravitated towards jobs in the digital space: building brands and developing content for various influencers & later went on to the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising to study Branding.
One day a professor walked by as I was editing imagery before class & asked “why are you in fashion school when you’re clearly meant to do this?” It was a simple enough question, but one that would change the course of my life.
I finished my degree, barely, as every waking moment I was obsessed with shooting. Living in LA was perfect at the time, everyone wanted their picture taken. I shot with friends, aspiring models, people on the street; anyone who would shoot with me, really. I said yes to everything.
One thing, turned into another thing and before I knew it I had several brands calling me back asking to shoot again. I kept at it. It was difficult & had a steep learning curve, but it was worth it because I loved it.
I took an in house photographer job for a fashion designer in LA named Anine Bing & that position launched my career to new heights. I learned so much working for her company, had unforgettable experiences all around the world and met career mentors through it all. I asked questions and continued to say yes to everything.
Eventually I decided it was time to go back to the freelance world, as I’ve always loved the freedom of schedule photography brings. Since then, I’ve worked for brands such as Daily Wire, Who What Wear, Sephora and many more. I became a wife & a mom, which inevitably has changed my vantage point as a photographer. I continue to work with artists, personalities and brands to bring visions to life.
I’ve been at this for 9 years and as far as I’m concerned, have barely scratched the surface of what I want to do. I’m looking forward to getting into more editorial & docu-style storytelling as the years go on. I aspire to utilize the art of photography to create visual stories that help people feel, heal and change everything.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a self-taught photographer has come with its fair share of ups and downs. All things considered, my career has been a fairly smooth road overall. My photography contract gets amended quite often, as almost every shoot comes with a learning, big or small. However, to become great at something, I’ve had to learn that that’s part of the journey.
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’m a commercial photographer specializing in editorial, portraiture and digital content for brands, artists and personalities. I’m a SoCal girl born and raised to my work reflects a feel good, California effortlessness. My work has been described as gritty, laid back, approachable, authentic but polished. In an industry full of talented photographers, what sets me apart as a creative a who I am to others & how I make my clients, models and contractors feel understood, appreciated and loved. Only good vibes on my sets.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memories include being at my grandma’s (Maga’s house) & imagining different worlds or stories. From secret gardens, to wilderness people, princess and tea parties. Her house was where my imagine came to life!
Pricing:
- $350 entry level 15 minute street session
- $650 one hour session for film + digital
- $950 for 2 hour session for film + digital
- $1200 for entry level branding package including creative direction, mood board, location and more
- $3500 for high level branding package including creative direction, mood board, location and more
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.ashlynkudransky.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/ashlynkudransky
