The August SnapShop took place a little over a week ago. Texas was well represented…if all Texans are like the ladies that came, well Texas must be pretty great. FireCracker is the exact opposite of anti-social. She did a little indoor modeling for us. Half the ladies crammed into her small room. During the course...
I think I need to invest in a wide angle lens.
Lovely photos. Oh, those silly bands that your big boy has on.
They’re a hot commodity in our house!
I’m so signing up for your online class.
I can’t wait!
I love the first one. Ohhh this aqua dress if fabulous, I love ths sight of you little boy. And the lassssssst one is…. adorable
I just think it’s so cool that your blog has a picture of MY daughter taking pictures of YOUR daughter. They’re a couple of firecrackers all right!
do you allow them to do any editing? and do you edit most of your photos or only minimally? just curious!
FireCracker absoLUTELY kills me! She is so dang precious Ashley! I could browse through pictures of her all day, in a completely non creepy way! She is such a doll! Love her sweet expressions, and seriously wishing I had a DSLR so i could come to a snap shop!
can you recommend some wide angle lenses speicifially for capturing interiors that you like? I LOVE the movie sabrina, definantly a favorite. wish you were doing your online snapshop sooner!!! great pics!!
Your students did a fabulous job! It helps to have such a great models! I cannot wait for your online snapshop! My 2011 goal is to take some workshops. This one is TOP on my list.
ps…which wide angle lens do you use for the rooms? The 24-70?
I mainly use my 24-70mm for indoor, though at times I use a 28mm f/1.8
Just so you know Ashley, I love your My Loveleies tab….I like looking through what you find!
such cute photos.. i recently stumbled across this lovely blog and wish i had heard about snapshops a little sooner to get off work and sign up for one. something to look forward to this spring. and i love that version of sabrina.. actually much more than the original.
I love you candids. Do you always shoot in RAW or jpeg? I am afraid to switch to RAW. Have you heard of “Formspring”, for a technical photo question/answer page.
absolutely stunning….as usual!!
please come to Holland for a workshop!
please
please
please
is it working?
love all your pictures!
would you consider a road trip to STL next summer for a class? i can round up a bunch of interested peeps. 
wow, you are a star Ashley! If only I could afford to fly you over here to Australia to give me a photography lesson! I let you know when I win the lottery! hahahaha but today I read you are launching an online SnapShop? Is that correct?
Have a fantastic day!
Lorena
The one of FireCracker coming down the slide face first – AWESOME!
Go Texas girls! represent!
I can’t say enough good things about SnapShops~ I am so lucky to have been able to participate.
Thanks again Ashley~loved everything about it.
I know that you do photography Q and A posts from time to time, and I was wondering what other resources you would recommend to learn to shoot manual for those of us that can’t make it to your classes. (But, oh, how I wish I could!) Each day, your blog makes me want to use my DSLR in manual, but when I attempt it, my pictures are always awful!
Thanks Ashley, I figured that was the one you were using. I have a 24-105 but with the crop factor on my current body it doesn’t really do me any good. I still struggle with getting a wide enough shot. Most of the time I am arching from deep inside a closet or on the floor to get the whole room. Hopefully I will be upgrading my camera body soon. I am looking forward to your Snapshops to really learn how to shoot indoors. Even with good lighting, I struggle and end up on automatic with a flash. Yukky.
ps..Do you have a camera/diaper bag you recommend?
This is a very last minute notice, but two spots for this Saturday’s SnapShop have come open. If you want the spots email me at ashley@ashleyannphotography.com You can find all the details on the SnapShop page under the info tab. The workshop is all day….9:30am-6:00pm. I’ll email more details to whoever gets the spots.
by AshleyAnn
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Wish I could swing the finances this time. I’d be all over it! Let me know the next time you have an opening. I will be a shoe in for sure!
Awww…I am jealous! SnapShops are such a blast! Have fun this weekend! 
Wish I wasn’t here in Ohio and could make it. Have a wonderful time!
Mybe it’s meant to be, I had a dream that I came to your house and hung out. I do not remember why I was there, but we went to see your sweet sister and her baby and we had lots of fun hanging out with your kids. Might seem a little creepy, huh? I remember that I kept referring to things I knew about you (from your blog) and you seemed creeped out that I remembered all those details.
Oh, pregnancy dreams.
Wish I was at the snapshop today!
I have a little notebook that I jot and draw inside. One end is full of notes from church on Sundays. The other end is random creative ideas of things I want to do. I was laying in bed one night last October thinking about how one day my little sister would have a baby....
by AshleyAnn
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I just want to be the first! i have never posted a comment but i check your blog daily. i am half a world from you. it’s 2.20 p.m. here and i am reading your blog insted of working. better go back to work. you are amazing!
I just recently bought a little notebook to keep in my diaper bag for things just like this.
I’m honestly really bad at writing ideas down.
I have an idea to get all my kids a small sketchpad and colored pencils so they can do this as well. We are always out and about and I love the idea of channeling boredom into creativity.
I also really love tumblr for things that I find on the internet.
I love the photographs. She will cherish them when she’s older.
Have a wonderful day.
I write lists. Sometimes I have piles upon piles of lists…in my bag, on the fridge, everywhere. Eventually I actually do some of the things on the lists or find that the idea is no longer interesting. And so it starts all over again.
I have a small notebook in my purse. My ideas come very random throughout the day. I find if i don’t write or draw them then the idea vanishes or i obsess about it and can’t get past it! Once i write it down i know it’s safe and my brain came move on to something else and when i’m ready, i can go back to that idea.
I love this photo. It shows this very masculine man being so gentle and cherishing his baby girl. So sweet. My hubby has the state of Texas and the skull of a longhorn tattooed on his arm. Gives me ideas of pictures to take with our him and G boy now. Hope you and your family will have a great week!!!
Omigoodness. I love the snap of your notebook. I tend to record things in a million folders on my computer (I also geekily email myself ideas). Love your realisation – they’re gorgeous images.
Oooohh my first comment on here, ever! My scribbles of ideas and list of plans are all crammed into the blank ‘Notes’ pages at the back of my $2 day planners I pick up at the beginning of each year and carry around in my handbag. I find it hard to throw them away each year until I’ve recopied out anything I still want to do. A list that is in every year is places I plan to travel to.
Little scraps of paper, a journal that sits at my desk and is never where I want it. It’s too big.
These pictures are great. What a great contrast, but it’s still so sweet.
I do the same thing! Sometimes I stay up all night with these designs just swirling around in my mind. I am so afraid to fall asleep because I might forget them before I wake up, so jotting down a quick note and picture helps. Love the photos and the idea!
Hi, I’m a graphic arts college student from Germany. I usually have two little notebooks for putting down ideas or random doodling. One is next to my bed, the other one I keep in my purse so that I have it with me when taking the tram or the train.
It’s wonderful how you captured so much love in these pictures.
So sweet. The contrast of innocent little baby and tough tattooed daddy makes for a good picture. such a nice idea.
i keep my ideas in a notebook as well. i just write things down when i think of them and then hope that i will remember what they mean later!
Unfortunately…I don’t have a system of keeping up with ideas, etc. Which is why I forget EVERYTHING and am a complete scatter-brain!!!
Thanks…maybe I just need to go get a little notebook to carry around!
I love the way these turned out! Thank you so much for all the great shots of my little family!!
I used to be good about keeping a journal with me at all times. My inspiration usually strikes while I’m at work so my ideas get scribbled and sketched onto sticky notes, scraps or typed into my phone or computer. In other words … all over the place and I’m afraid I lose many of them! I’ve just started using Evernote. I think I’ll take snap shots of my sketches from now on so they’ll be captured and archived online and can be accessed through my phone or computer.
Ohh My favorite is the on where baby is whith her mouth wide open
I keep track of lots of ideas (mostly blog posts of things I want to try or remember) in a wiki that my husband set up for me when we were wedding planning. I love it. It has travel, parenting, home stuff sections, etc.
I also keep a little purse calendar where I can write sweet little things my husband does that I’m thankful for on the date or things my baby does or ways God shows up. Kelly
I love seeing your vision become real! So fun!
Love getting a glimpse of the creative process at work. Precious photos! I bet your sister loves these!
Cute photos – of course. And ahem!!! that daddy is HOT 
LOL. ;D
that’s a great vision that came to life. i keep postcards by my bed with a writing utensil, then i put them in an envelope in the back of my journal/sketchbook. the worst is having to get out of bed… wonderful ideas spark right before sleep.
These photos are gorgeous Ashley! Even though it looks like Eric is eating your niece in your sketch – love how you have incorporated the tattoo into the shot.
You are such an inspirational girl – have I told you my wedding is totally inspired by little sisters nursery. I love it all -
the colours, the bold Amy B prints, the gold and pewter frames and ‘rustic-ness’ yumm!
I love all the baby and daddy pics. They are just precious.
I get mpst of my good ideas in the shower. So I write them on the shower walls with my boys’ bath crayons.
WOW….the September SnapShop filled within 10 minutes, the August date within an hour of the newsletter being sent! CRAZY! If you signed up for my newsletter, you just got the fall dates. For those that didn’t get the newsletter (sign up above). It will give you a heads up on dates and the online version...
by AshleyAnn
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Would you ever consider doing an online workshop?
Dinah,
YES…SnapShops:online will be launching in 2011!
wow, online is good for this Dutch girl, I will keep that in mind!
Sad… I’m on the newsletter group but didn’t receive the newsletter. 
I’m definitely signing up for your on-line SnapShops. I can’t wait!!
Shocked! You really weren’t kidding when you said they fill up fast! I need to set future emails to send me a txt as soon as it hits my inbox for next time. Thank you for offering something like this, though. In the meantime, looking forward to the online version.
i second an online workshop considering Utah is a bit far away! not surprised they filled up so quickly, your blog and warmth is amazing.
yaaaaay to online snapshots!!! can’t wait!!
JUST subscribed to your newsletter, but I’d LOVE more info on this online version of your workshop!! I’m in Korea, so this is DEFINITELY up my alley!
Oh Ashley I received this advise in my google reader !!! before I had to read every day your blog. Google reader is working again !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kisses.
ONLINE PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Oh I will necesary with reflex?
OH MY GOODNESS. you just made my day. cannot wait to learn more and hopefully upgrade to a full frame cam body!
I already considered, since I live in Portugal, saving tons of money and go to the US just to be on a snapshot 
But anyway I’m in college so I’ll probably have to wait a few years before I can get all the money
Online would be great but it’s not the same thing I guess.
South Africa is also very far away, so would LOVE an online course. Big fan!
Well, here you are in my google reader finally! Yippee! I don’t have to try to remember to go to your blog anymore!
Just wanted to say that your feed showed back up in my Google Reader this morning! Not sure what happened or how long it will last, but here’s hoping!
aw man! so happy for you that they filled up fast! i was really hoping i could fly from south carolina in sept and make it…maybe in the spring it will be better timing. or the online snapshops would be great too…meeting you in person would be better…
HOORAY for online snapshops – please oh please let me know asap!!!
yah! i can finally see your feed in google reader!!!!!
cannot wait for online snapshots!!
Sign me up for your newsletter. Online classes please please OR DVD’s of your live classes, don’t worry about editing much, listening to other students ask questions and work thru the lecture are very helpful for us.
laurel
Wow, that’s fast! Awesome!! Bummer that I didn’t get the newsletter. I’ll sign up again, and hope it works this time
Congrats girl! I always tell everyone about you. Not that you need it! So you are going to do an online version? Didn’t know about that. Why don’t I get the newsletter? Did I miss signing up or something?
PLEASE send me info when you decide to do online snap shops! I live in Saskatchewan, Canada and have been seriously trying to figure out how I can get to Oklahoma to attend one!!!
have you considered doing a webinar or podcast for these events for those of us that are in the military living abroad? We’re currently in Korea on our way to Germany… would love to attend one .. but it’s entirely too far away.
When I said these would be simple FAST projects I wasn’t kidding! I don’t drink my coffee black, I girlie it up with cream & syrups. The syrups always come in great bottles…perfect for bud vases. Here is a quick craft for keeping glass out of the trash and cutely displayed instead! I am almost...
by AshleyAnn
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…but Crafts like that is perfect for someone like me who does not have any patience what so ever! thanks!
And the photo thing explination even better. We have a CANON and we never seem to get it right. Will try with your advice.
Helena.
Thanks for the info on focusing and using the self-timer…Although, as I don’t have your brilliant photography knowledge, I’m fearful of tampering with my camera’s settings…However, for the less technically inclined, I have found that setting the camera to the ‘landscape’ (the one that looks like a little mountain), which focus everything in both the foreground and background, often works well when using the self-timer.
I love the today DIY and your pics.
I must to buy these tapes too… ha ha ha. In fact now I have some in my Etzy favorites.
When I see your pics I think that I need a Reflex very soon, is vital to me now, ha ha ha if I want to be better I need it, and I only can practise in manual mode. Whit a compact I can’t.
Thanks for your tips again
I agree with Helena. Sometimes I only have a few minutes to be creative! Something simple like this makes it easy for me to get my crafty fix and not feel like I neglected the things that make the house run or my kiddos. Thanks for the inspiration!
WOAH back button focusing…. LOVE it! Trying it out tomorrow… thank you thank you thank you!
Hooray for 4 minute crafts! I love this!
I’ve known about back button focus but always been nervous to try it (what if someone else needs to use my camera) – - but your pictures are convincing me to make the change – thanks for all the tips!
Super cute vase! Don’t be ashamed to post the 4 minute craft projets. Those are my favorite!
I wish I could come to one of your pix clinics-but I can try and learn via blogging-Thanks for your time!
joy
OMG you really did change my life with this super camera tip! thanks love it already
For the last year, I have thought that my camera didn’t have back button focus and I was jealous of everyone that did. Turns out I do have it! Thanks so much!!!
thanks so much for the focus tips. i sort of knew about this, but now i will take the time to work on it. during our recent vacation af was giving me so much trouble!
this may be my first comment here, but i have been reading for quite some time. love all of your crafty ideas, photography, and humor. keep it coming!
The craft is great, but I’m super psyched about the photo tip!! I hate having to try to focus with the shutter button only to find that the camera wants to focus on everything but what I want to the focus to be. So excited to try the back focus button!!
Seriously, Ashley. You did just totally change my {photography} life today! I always hate using my timer {I have a Canon 20d too} with me in the photo because the focus is NEVER where I want it. Ahh-mazing. I never knew that was possible!!
Lol…at first glance I thought that was an alcohol bottle. I figured since I was redoing a Corona bucket today that it only seemed fitting your were doing something similar!
Now I see that it is a syrup bottle…which turned at darling! Kim
That a great idea! I need something for my bathroom to add some color and this is the perfect thing. I am thinking of making three and putting them in an old thin crate. Thanks for the idea!!!
I switched to back button focus a year ago and agree, it rocks! Keep the DIY projects coming. They are great
Thanks for the photo tip! I’m such a visual learner so seeing the examples along with the tutorial is awesome! I can’t wait to give this a try!
I switched to back button focusing a few weeks ago and I love it 290%. Love the simply dressed up bottles. And your tutorial on Design Aglow today was sublime. You are one creative force. A font of inspiration.
Kids!!! Get ready! We’ll be takin’ some pics tonight!
This simple DIY is just what I needed for today! I’ll take a study break this afternoon, and pick some flowers on my way home. I am loving these quick projects
I found you today through the Design Aglow blog and wanted to thank you for the focusing tutorial. I have been struggling with focus for quite a while (forever as a matter of fact). I tried this out today, and it works like a dream! I was afraid it would feel weird or would be hard to get used to, but I actually find it to be much easier! Thank you, thank you! Also, I love the button lettering on onesies. I am definitely going to try this with newborn/baby clients! I will be reading your blog from now on!
dude. where is the masking tape from. i needs it.
also, I changed to back button focusing about a month ago and it weirded me out at first, but now I loves it. Loves. It is fun telling the camera who is the boss.
THANK YOU for that tutorial on focusing with the timer. i can’t say that i totally get it… but it’s not you, it’s me. i’m a total beginner- i’m still learning f stops, aperture, etc… it’s all greek to me. 
) that combined with the fact that i’m beat = confused girl. i’ll come back to it tomorrow when i’m well rested and i’m sure it’ll make more sense then. again… THANK YOU so much for sharing that! i can’t wait to absorb it and test it out.
This is SO pretty!
I love the simple DIY projects- they are perfect for those of us who can only craft while the kiddos are napping. Love the giveaways this week!
Love this diy project. So super cute! Where did you get your washi tape?
I’m super duper excited that you shared this. I’m trying really hard to understand the manual mode. I’m really hoping that you will put together an online workshop because if you do I will be the first to sign up!
THanks for the tutorial, yay!
Wow.. I love your crafts!! And the Canon tip — I think it might just change me!
Where did you get the pastel colored masking tape? All I can find is the blue paint tape. Help! I want to make one of these. Keep the easy-peasy, super fast crafts coming.
I’m going to have to try that for sure! thanks for all the tips, you are fantastic, Ashley!
Ari
by AshleyAnn
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