Quintessential Photography
“Each happiness from yesterday is a memory for tomorrow.” -Unknown
Meet the Photographer
Hi, I’m Ashley! I am a 35 year old single mother of two: my son Ian who is 15, and my daughter Kylie who is 18. Quintessential Photography is a family owned and operated business, with my children also being my assistants in this adventure! I was born and raised in Columbus, OH and I am a huge Ohio State fan. Though photography is my preferred medium, I love getting creative in many different ways. I believe art is one of the best ways to express yourself, so let’s get weird together and make some art!
I fell in love with photography in high school, where I was introduced to a darkroom for the first time and learned to develop my own film and prints. Since then, I have continued learning what my photography style is. My favorite method by far is infrared photography, which captures wavelengths of light that the human cannot see, giving you a look into the invisible world. As I have spent time photographing my loved ones and expanding my business, I found that the most rewarding aspect of this craft to me is seeing the responses from clients who may have been a bit camera shy and end up loving their photos.
Why Did I Start Quintessential Photography? / Our Story
Throughout our time in this industry, we have noticed that there are few photographers that market and serve the minority groups. We wanted there to be a place where anyone could go to get their photographs taken that would represent how they want to be seen, unapologetically and proudly. On a personal note, my son was also a huge inspiration for this business. He is transgender and has often struggled with his self image because of society’s vision of what he “should” be. To build up his confidence, we started doing photoshoots that showcased his authentic self. Watching him blossom into a confident, passionate kid in front of my lens was the best feeling as both a mother and a photographer. This showed me how empowering it can be to help people express themselves for who they truly are, and lead to the creation of Quintessential Photography.
About Quintessential Photography
Quintessential Photography is a fully inclusive company which celebrates the uniqueness of each client. It was founded independently in 2021 by Ashley Henley, who received her Associate’s degree in Graphic Communication from Columbus State Community College in 2007. While we specialize in lifestyle photography, we also provide a well-rounded list of services that can be found in the top toolbar along with pricing!
Quintessential is defined as “representing the perfect example of [itself].” This was chosen to represent capturing the perfect you on camera, which is your natural self! Quintessential Photography is supportive of all humans from any background. We are lovers of all things honest, kind, and accepting and we love to help clients overcome barriers and step outside of their comfort zone.
We strive to make the world a more accepting place by showcasing our community members for who they are in a safe and supportive setting. We encourage clients to celebrate their uniqueness and be their most authentic selves in every session.
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