Daily Inspiration: Meet Ashley Kantola

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

Hi Ashley, 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. 
It’s funny looking back on when I was little because I was obsessed with home videos (like, literally obsessed). I remember running inside my home after school, grabbing a home video, and wanting to watch it for hours. It got to the point where my mom had to hide them because I was watching them so often. I just loved being able to watch special moments, trips, holidays, all those types of events over and over again. That’s when my love for film really started. 

Fast forward to high school — there was a cute boy I had a crush on. He happened to sign up for a television and broadcasting class at another building for half of the school day. I signed up so I could be in a class with him. On the first day, I realized he didn’t get accepted into the class, but I did. So that was kind of funny. BUT I fell in love with filming and editing within weeks. Our first project was “A Day in the Life” type video. Back then, we used camcorders with tapes in them. I remember thinking that it was the coolest school project I’d ever been assigned. Not only did a learn so much in the class, but it was taught by my favorite teacher EVER, Mr. Kaufman. It was the first time in my life I felt like a teacher really believed in me and thought I could be successful at something. He really encouraged me to enter video contests. I entered a few and ended up winning some trophies, certificates here and there, and then my senior year of high school, I won a trip to New York City for a film I made about the importance of theatre programs in high schools. 

After high school, I ended up going a different route and became an elementary school teacher. I still created videos and made films for my students. My first-grade class and I ended up creating a music video and winning a grant for our school. When COVID hit, I started making educational videos for my students and the school I was working for. At the time, I was struggling with a lot of anxiety and stress. The only time I felt like I had a break from it was when I was editing videos – it became my escape from what was going on in the world. I absolutely loved it and wanted to do it more often. My fiancé at the time (now husband) encouraged me to go for it. 

The only problem was I had never filmed a wedding and didn’t own any video equipment at the time. I reached out to a few girls I knew who were getting married and asked if they’d let me film their wedding for $300. When they said yes, I used that money to buy camera gear. That was in 2020. Things just took off from there! 

I’ve gotten to work with many couples and see many cool places in the past three years. I feel super blessed to have had so much success since starting my business. Every time a couple books me, I’m still insanely excited and can’t believe that they are choosing me to be there on such a big day. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been smooth in the sense that I am absolutely loving what I do. I still pinch myself when I realize that people are actually hiring me to film their weddings. But I had to relearn how to use the editing software. I also had no knowledge of camera equipment, I had never written a contract, never made a website, didn’t know what coloring correcting meant, had zero idea how to use microphones or plug into a soundboard, etc. There were a lot of things I had to learn. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I approach every wedding as a brand-new story to tell. When I think of why I used to love watching home videos as a child, it was because they made me feel happy. They took me back to that moment in time and remind me of all these little details I might have forgotten if it weren’t for the videos I could rewatch. I’d love to think I’m known for capturing those little moments that might otherwise be forgotten. Of course, you want to have your first kiss on film or your first dance… but your grandparents sharing a cocktail, your little cousin killing it on the dance floor, or your mom helping you get ready for your ceremony — those are moments you don’t realize are special until they are over. I want to make sure my couples have footage of it. While shooting, my other main focus is to make sure the couple feels comfortable and beautiful. It can be awkward to have a camera in your face all day. Most people really haven’t experienced having multiple cameras following them around for an entire day. I try my best to make the day a bit more fun and relaxed. 

What am I most proud of? I think I’m most proud of myself! It can be really hard to put yourself out there and to start something new. I think a lot of people, myself included, can have dreams but don’t ever even try to reach them because they think they aren’t good enough to do it. For years, I talked about becoming a wedding videographer and finally just went for it. I’m so happy I did. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
My favorite hobby was watching old home videos on VHS tapes. Instead of cake, I wanted a big pickle for my birthday. I had a pet mouse I bought from a guy who was selling them as snake food. I loved to tap dance. So, I had some interests that other kids might not have had. I was also super creative. I was always creating something, inventing something, or wanting to start a business. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.414weddingfilms.com
• Instagram: 414weddingfilms
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/414WeddingFilms/
• Other: https://vimeo.com/414weddingfilms

Image Credits
414 Wedding Films