Rising Stars: Meet Aslyn Oestreich of Grand Rapids

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aslyn Oestreich

Hi Aslyn, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In high school my Art class took a trip to the Detroit Institute of Art and it just so happened there was an Annie Leibovitz exhibit and I fell in love with photography. When I came home I asked my grandma if I could use the money she was setting aside for college, on a camera. My first ever camera was a Sony A100 DSLR with a kit lens. Being the oldest of 4 kids, I had a lot of free models and most of my photos starting out were of my family members.

In those days, 2005-2009, Flickr was where all the IT photographers posted their photos. I started sharing mine and got a fair amount of traction from it as well as my schools art show competitions. Every photo I took, I fell more in love with photography. A lot of my friends were in bands and I would tag along with them to their concerts and basically salesman my photos for $10 here and there to diversify my portfolio. I just loved having tangible proof of moments in time.

In 2009 I graduated and left my tiny hometown to go to Kendall College of Art and Design with a major in photography. While there I learned how to shoot and develop my own film and learned the more technical side of photography. I loved the classes and the prompts had a lot of variety, but I was still in love with doing work for clients.

In 2012 I left college, got married, and had my first daughter. I started doing photo work for friends from high school who were starting to get engaged and married. I worked to balance learning to be a mom with a photographer and eventually, photography took a backseat. Sporadically I took photos for people who knew I did photos, but for the most part, I took photos of my growing family.

Two kids, co-opening a business, and a million personal journeys later, I was divorced and to support myself and my daughters, I was working as an armed transport guard. I eventually met my husband, Dorian, who helped me find my way back to photography. I started picking up steam again and I now find myself with so many new opportunities, I can’t believe it.

My journey with photography has been long, but it’s grown with me through everything. It’s always been there and I’ve been able to give so many people beautiful photos of certain moments in their lives, I’m grateful for every step and every person I’ve met doing it. My family was always pretty poor so I do my best to offer photos to people like my family. A lot of stories to tell, just not a big budget.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My road with photography is like that Michigan logging road that looks pretty clear. It started smooth, but ended up being such a journey. Having kids took first place for a while, I helped my ex-husband transition jobs and open a business, I got divorced, had creative ruts, so many normal life obstacles.

Sometimes it’s not the colossal life events that happen, but those slow burns that slowly pull you away. Eventually though, I’d pull out my camera and push myself to take photos and it would feel like stepping back into the best version of myself.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a photographer who specializes in portrait work. A couple years ago I stepped away from weddings and only do them for close friends. I’ve become known for editorial style portraits for individuals, families, and businesses. Strangely enough, I’ve also become known for being the gloomy weather photographer. It seems like every time I go to take photos, it’s raining, has just rained, or is about to rain. I really love it.

I’m also really proud to offer a service to people that’s normally reserved for people with a rather large budget and a certain look. I really enjoy trading photography for things I’ve been looking for or a unique opportunity. That’s how I’ve gained a lot of great new friends, clients, and photo jobs.

I think photography has turned into a wave where it’s costly and all the photos follow trends and all look the same, but I’m really proud to say that the photos I’ve taken have all aged well because I edit true to life and I feel like that has set me apart.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Putting yourself out there is the best way to build your network. Find the people who are going to wholeheartedly support you and share you with their people. Forget about the people who don’t share your vision, it’s okay to be different!

I have joined a lot of photo centered communities over the years and my best take away has always been, take what works for you and forget the rest.

Pricing:

• I try to price based on individual budgets and needs. If you don’t have a big budget, that’s totally fine. We can always come up with something that works for the both of us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aslynophoto.mypixieset.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aslyn.o.photos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aslynophoto