April 7, 2015.  

The trees outside my apartment aren’t the only things budding in this fresh, new season.  Thankfully, it seems that my photography business is too!  In fact, this spring marks a year of new things—new marriage, new city, new friends, new business and, now, a new blog. 

I spent last summer freelancing and dabbling, but it wasn’t until November that I really got serious about establishing my photography business.  Before then, I was frightened by the idea of entrepreneurship, insecure in my own work and troubled that my career path looked nothing like that of my peers.  I was feeling like a total failure.  Finally, after a brief and eye-opening stint with a magazine along with the constant and unwavering support from my husband and encouragement from my own wedding photographer (and fellow Tar Heel), Courtney Potter Cook, I decided to take the plunge into the world of small business ownership.  Courtney has spent hours tirelessly answering my questions, sharing her wisdom and coaching me up to a place where I can confidently step out on my own as the photographer and owner of Ashton Songer Photography, LLC.  While it feels like I still have a long way to go, I’m certainly on the right road to getting where I want to be.  I’m absolutely thankful for this difficult, exciting, invigorating season of all things new.  

Today, I’m thrilled to share images from Grace’s senior session at the Goat Farm on March 24, 2015. 

Grace is a senior at Whitefield Academy (where Thomas and I lead Young Life) and a future University of Georgia Bulldog.  She approached me earlier this year about shooting her senior photos and I happily agreed.  Grace kept her eyes peeled for the first signs of lovely spring weather and couldn’t have picked a more perfect afternoon for a senior photo session adventure.  Grace is truly a gem.  I think she is a natural born model, but it’s quite clear that her beauty flows from the inside out.  

Special thanks to my lovely assistant, Lucy Reiser Williams!