Meet Ashlee Feinauer of Ashlee Feinauer Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Feinauer.

Hi Ashlee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I put my hobbies up on a shelf, literally.

If you walk into our basement, you’ll see a shelf lined with hobbies. Everything from boxes of fabric for sewing, jars of clay tools, shards of broken glass for mosaics, a watercolor paint tray still dirty with paint, rubber stamps, dusty miniature garden decor, and fully written in journals. Lastly, a vintage suitcase scattered with polaroid pictures. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved the arts.

Being creative is what makes me who I am, but for a mother the transition into Motherhood or Parenthood is so profound. There are all these new expectations, experiences, emotions, and even a new body. You lose yourself.

The pressure from all sources of pristine social media accounts laden with neutral homes and clean kids. Montessori mothers smiling while they prepare pretty shelves of wooden toys for their children to wake up to. Terms used like, “bouncing back and body positivity.” Doctors telling you don’t do “this”, your boomer parents insisting that you never died from “that”. It’s a lot and you lose yourself in the midst of taking care of someone else’s needs every single minute. I LOVE MY CHILDREN, but my mental health was lacking, and I had to find a way to continue to love myself in my new role as a stay-at-home mom.

One evening I was alone, sipping wine and staring out at the sunset over the pond in our backyard. I was exhausted, and the kids were in bed, thankfully. I knew I needed inspiration and to feel like myself again.

It’s like I had lost my color the way flamingos do when raising their chicks. Did you know flamingos are syphoned of so much energy by caring for their young, they actually start to lose their pink pigment? They regain their pigment after the young become more independent, but in the meantime, they are drained. This was me. I was frantically searching for another way to be creative, find my outlet and more importantly, connect with people. My story isn’t unique, actually, it is so similar to other mother’s stories it is coined by the term, Matrescence. I knew I had to find myself again and fortunately, everything is a click away.

Capturing authentic moments is something I’ve always enjoyed. Hence, why I had an entire box of Polaroids shoved away on a shelf.

So I started scrolling marketplace and bought my first professional camera there. Over time, I collected all of the costly lenses and gear I would need to grow my business. Family and friends supported me in any way they could. Thank you to those that let me take their photos as I fumbled through camera settings, lovingly watched my kids while I did a photo session, and supported me with all the essentials that helped build my small business into what it is today. I’m just getting started, year two is in full swing and I’m very excited to take Ashlee Feinauer Photography to the next level.

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 hasn’t been a smooth road but, “The journey of a million miles begins with a single step.” – Lao Tzu

I had nothing to start my business, Ashlee Feinauer Photography. Just a dream. My big brother Zach purchased a Website for my Business as a 29th birthday present.

Brionna, who is practically my sister, let me borrow her laptop because mine was so outdated it wouldn’t allow me to download photo editing programs.

Mikayla, my best friend and graphic designer, created professional flyers for me. I hung them all over town.

At the local coffee shop, grocery store, library, and auto repair garage, basically anywhere with a cork board.

I also reached out to a local apple orchard and asked if they would add my (super professional) flyer, advertising Sunflower Photo Sessions to their online newsletter, and surprisingly, they did! I gained many recurring clients from that newsletter.

Over time I purchased all the lenses I needed; I was gifted a MacBook Pro for Christmas from my husband, and subscribed to more expensive photo editing programs to improve my work quality.

I befriended kind people everywhere I could, did things for free, and found local businesses whose goals and ethics aligned with mine.

One company I frequently partner with is The Farm @ Apple Acres in Bay City, MI, owned by Melissa & Matthew Borowski.

A cozy ice cream store on an apple orchard that sells Michigan Made goods like honey, maple syrup & other boutique gifts. There are also many farm animals to enjoy!

The Farm and I create family-friendly events together and I help by managing their social media with event/product photography. Social media management is another service I offer to small businesses!

My personal brand portraits were done by their son, fellow photographer and YouTuber, Jake Borowski.

Partnering with them helped build my brand Ashlee Feinauer Photographer. It provided more exposure and helped me establish similar clientele, families with young children. Melissa has also inspired me on my journey with her own story on motherhood, business, and trying to find a balance between it all. Big thanks to the Borowski Family.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ashlee Feinauer Photography?
The Brand. Ashlee Feinauer Photography is a brand that focuses on creating an experience for clients rather than just photographs.

I am particularly focused on capturing interactions and reactions, not just poses and smiles. I prefer natural lighting and minimal editing, only accentuating natural beauty. I stay away from removing wrinkles, rolls, moles, and all other things that remind us we are human. The beauty industry has damaged so many people’s self-esteem by creating unrealistic standards for people to uphold. Instead, I want to encourage people to celebrate their authentic selves and stay away from toxic beauty culture standards.

My photography aims to artistically portray the real-life events of a family, couple, or person. We choose a location that is special to you and with a series of prompts and directions we capture genuine emotion.

Comfortable.

This is one word that appears in many of my five-star reviews. My main goal during a session is to make it easy and fun. That way your true personality shines in each photograph! Most of my clients are families; this is my specialty.

Mini Sessions.

Throughout the year I offer small photo sessions that tie in with holidays or seasons, they are made to accommodate many people and fit any budget. These mini-sessions are especially unique because I offer something a little extra each time and occasionally pair them with other family-friendly events. During my pumpkin patch photography session there were fresh cinnamon donuts & cider. For Christmas, hot cabin fever coffee and cookies in the snow. With Easter came Easter eggs and crafts for the kiddos!

When you come see me, I want you to know you’re going to get a little more than what you expected!

Ashlee Feinauer Photography offers:

– Family Photography

-Maternity Photography

-Wedding Photography

-Senior Photography

-Engagement Photography

-Cake Smash Photography

-Headshots

-Children’s Portraits

-Brand Photography

-Event Photography

-Indoor Photo Sessions

-Themed Mini Sessions

– Social Media Managing

-Family-Friendly Events

What are your plans for the future?
Future plans include expanding my collaboration with other small businesses to bring my clients a photography experience they have never experienced before. Farther into the future, after my children are more independent, I will become a Full-Time photographer and have my own photography studio.

The future at this point is wide open for me, and this journey has taken me down a few paths I never expected. I’m excited to see what is in store for me and looking forward to seeing what other opportunities present themselves.

Pricing:

• 125$-600$

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ashleefeinauerphotography.com
• Instagram: ashlee.feinauer.photography
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleefeinauerphotos
• Other: 989.494.9055

Image Credits
Jake Borowski
Ashlee Feinauer Photography