I am a self proclaimed talented bad ass. Speaking that into the universe so it can hear me one more time! HAHA
I am a photographer of 7 years who has blended my love for storytelling, connecting with people, and art in a career. There are often times that I wake up, and show up to work like…”is this real life?”

I'M ASHLEY PAYNE, YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER & FRIEND.

Before photography, my creativity resided in theatre. I loved EVERYTHING about it. The whole process from trying out to opening night when everything magically came together for production.

My life took a turn when I got pregnant at an early age, and as most of us millennials we were caught in the generation that didn’t quite hit the entrepreneur era. I was raised by parents who believed in 9-5 jobs that were “reliable and had benefits”.
With a new baby on the horizon, I chose to go the route of science and medicine. It was another interest of mine, just not the one that evoked passion and purpose.
After 5 years of working in the operating room, I felt a void. One that I could no longer escape.

It was my creative side needing an outlet.
I honestly never expected it to be photography, and to this day I feel like the camera chose me.
My step-mother, someone who has molded more of me than I could put into words, ALWAYS had a camera. After she passed, I took note of all the times she reminded me that one day I would wish moments would stand still.
She wasn’t wrong.

After my very first photoshoot, I fell in love. The camera allowed me to create those same productions from theatre. It allowed me to connect with people from all over capturing their stories, embracing their chapters, and making those moments stand still.
From there the rest is history.

Seven years later and I still love all of these aspects of my career.

"I am a self proclaimed talented bad ass."