ashley skjaveland | photographer » blog

After a session this past week, I stopped to breathe and just had a quiet moment in my studio. I was tiding up, my music was on, candle lit and the light outside started to fade as the next rain storm came rolling in. It was wonderful. (I am a mother of three – yes I was cleaning, but there was no screaming and no one was tattle telling on the other – it was wonderful. Ha)! My studio is an average space by most standards, but it is mine and I love it. I love exploring details. It’s makes you slow down. That’s a marvelous thing.

Love Ashley ~

This is my daughter’s painting. Created July 13th 2010 at age (almost) 4yrs. As the girls were sitting at the table painting she tells me “Momma, I’m painting an Australian sunrise”. Yes my sweet girl, yes you did.

I believe so strongly in allowing children the opportunity to embrace and practice the arts just as I do math or science. The depths of their imagination and and fearlessness to create authentic works is incredible and ever so beautiful to watch ♥

Love Ashley ~

When was the last time you have cleared your mind of the tasks that must get done and the deadlines that must be met, to take in a moment of beauty and contentment?  There are extraordinary moments that happen in between the ordinary.  They wait for you.

This year I will devote more time to experiencing my family.  Loving them and getting to know their hearts.  My girls are getting so big now.  I can really communicate with them and they can really express themselves to me.  I love documenting my family through images.  My goal to also start being *in* more of them.  I want my girls to know that I was there in the moments with them.

Love Ashley ~

I have have a friend.  A marvelous, creative, giving, inspiring friend.  Deb Schwedhelm is a photographer that I admired from afar early in my photography journey.  She creates pure poetry with her camera and imagery.  Back in 2008 the stars aligned and I had the pleasure and honor to go visit her in San Diego, CA.  Deb and her beautiful family welcomed me into their home without hesitation.

Now, this was my first time away from my family.  This was my first time being gone overnight, never mind out of the country!  I loved having the much needed me time, but I was desperately missing my family.  Because my mind kept wondering back home, I wasn’t able to *be present* during this time.  Here I was with one of my personal creative idols and I’m not sure that I said anything of substance!  I don’t think I ever really dove into a conversation about creativity, inspiration or passion about our craft.  DUH Ashley!  Be present.  Be open.  Live and laugh hard because moments do not come back again.  I know I will someday be with a clear mind, open heart and have the chance to see my friend again.  This adventure to San Diego was an experience for me.  I choose to now breathe in each moment  …  with my family and without.  I am more aware now that I need to also feed the soul of my individual self. (Something each of us Mommy’s need to remember).

I need to find a way to express my gratitude to my friend.  With every blog post she writes, she has this ability to stir something inside me.  She gives so much of herself and she inspires on so many levels.  I’m sure many of you out there may already follow her work and blog but just in case you don’t, please take a moment to visit the links.  Please also take a moment to visit The Give Ten Project – a project I hope to be a part of very soon, started by both Deb and the fabulous Stephanie Beaty of  Lifeography.

Big hugs friend! oxox

Love Ashley ~

This is a post that has been long overdue.  To be perfectly honest, I simply got myself a little too busy between work and adjusting to life with our new baby.  I am a little scatter brained at times!  lol!  I was determined to take some pictures to accompany this post but alas, I procrastination is something I do very well while at home!

Before our little one arrived, I came across an Etsy shop called Beach Cottage Studio.  (If I recall correctly, I found it through a blog post from Parcel Post).  I ended up buying a set of these super cute paper butterflies (she makes them in all sorts of lovely paper combination’s).  I had some ideas for projects with the butterflies for the girls and knew they would think they were adorable.

After our little peanut was born, I received a lovely card in the mail that I was not expecting.  It was from Kristine at Beach Cottage Studio!  She congratulated us on our new baby AND sent along a little gift that she made!  She sent along a ribbon bookmark much like this one, only my ribbon says “baby” in French!  It was such a thoughtful thing to do!!

So this is my official THANK YOU to Kristine.  It was so very kind of you to go above and beyond.  Thank you   Please go check out her Esty shop and get yourself a little something!

[ UPDATE :: click here to see what we did with some of the butterflies! ]