10 Years of Weddings

There have been so many emotions going through my head the last couple of days. I may or may not feel like crying as I type this. Today marks 10 years since I attended/photographed a wedding with my old boss Joe DeGrandis & his assistant Shelly Watson. That is a really big deal to me. I feel so overwhelmed with gratitude. Gratitude to the Lord for allowing this, gratitude to the people who have believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Here is a little bit of my journey through the years...

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I was a weirdo 19 year old girl working at the photo lab at Wal-Mart with a dream of becoming a wedding photographer. I had decided that was what I wanted to do when I was 16 years old.

ashahphotography_4608 I ended up meeting Joe DeGrandis (Milledgeville’s finest photographer) when he was picking up photos at Wal-Mart. He asked me to go to a wedding with him and his assistant Shelly. He said he wouldn’t pay me for the first wedding just so he could see what I could do. I had NO clue what I was doing so I just watched them, asked questions and attempted to take some photos with my Nikon D70 & pop up flash. After the wedding Joe used one of my images on his blog. That really encouraged me & I've been hooked ever since. Haha! Joe continued to train me and then hired Shelly & I out together to photograph weddings on our own. We got a LOT of experience though that. It was pretty hilarious because brides & grooms would freak out a little bit when we showed up at weddings because we looked even younger than we were.

Left - Me and Joe in 2007 & Right - 2014 - Yep! We still hang out. He's the best!

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I actually saved the program from that first wedding.

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A little over a year later (March 25, 2006) I photographed my first wedding on my own for a friend. I wasn't actually supposed to but the person that was helping me got sick at the last minute. I freaked out and told Elizabeth(the bride). She actually gave me a pep talk & said she knew I could do it. I was terrified but it all worked out. Thanks for that Elizabeth!!!

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About a year later (2007) I started my own business, Ashah Photography. I went full time in 2010 and have enjoyed it so much. I've had the opportunity to photograph weddings all over the United States & meet tons of awesome couples.

I am so grateful. First and foremost I thank my Savior. Without His grace & mercy, none of this would have happened. I've had so much fun. I also want to thank all of you who have believed, encouraged & taught me over the years.

Thanks for reading a little bit of my story.

To God be the glory,

Ashah

Erin + Brannon

"We met our Sophomore year in High School through a homeschool basketball league. We were friends throughout those years and became an official couple our senior year. We grew closer throughout that time traveling about an hour and a half, back and forth almost every weekend. Spending time with each other's family and learning more about each other. Then on February 16th of 2014 Brannon asked me to marry him!"

Erin & Brannon, We are so happy for y'all! Thanks for letting us take your portraits!

The Wood Family

My nephew James is turning ONE! I love documenting my brother's little family life so much.

My FAVORITE way to photograph a child is in their own environment. I love real life pictures & real life stories. At this stage in James' life he is into EVERYTHING. You will see what I mean:)