Katie and Dan.

Charleston, SC

The song says "'L' is for the way you look at me", and it goes on to serenade us all, telling a tale of love while we listen to the unmistakable sound of Nat King Cole's voice. If you're like me, you might subconsciously start swaying to the music while sitting in your chair, or turn the volume up and dance around your kitchen waiting to get to "V", something very very extraordinary. The song may have its own meaning for everyone( just like love). But at the end of the day, young or
old, rich or poor, L stands for LOVE.


The greatly anticipated wedding of Katie and Dan had arrived. I say greatly anticipated because I have known Katie for 2 years, I am not alone in the statement that she is one of the most genuine people I have ever come to know. And to be apart of, let alone photograph, their wedding, engagement and her bridal shots was quite an honor to say the least. When you spend 12 hours of your work day with someone, you find a kinship of sorts in different parts of life. We have, without fail, always managed to make each other laugh right when the other needed it most. A few weeks after their engagement was announced I was able to photograph them both on Pawley's Island. Cue first road trip with the soon-to-be married couple. Dan expertly tour guided the entire drive to Pawley's, I loved every second of it. I always appreciate someone who plays good music on long car rides, Dan is a musician so I had no worries there. I also found out how much Dan loved to have his picture taken. Not a bad trait to have when you're the photographer. We spent the weekend there as friends, I just happen to be following them around paparazzi-style; I had a inside glance as to how they are as a couple. Spontaneous and irresistibly beautiful.





Months went by and the time for bridal portraits came around... Katie and I had a blast. We invaded the Mills House and Hiberniam Hall, both of which exuded a kind of elegance that Katie had been looking for. And of course, Katie would not be Katie if she didn't have a little twist to go along with her photo shoot. I expected nothing less than cowboy boots to be underneath her wedding dress. That may be one of my favorite photo shoots to date.




















The night of the Rehearsal Dinner brought everyone together, all who would attend the wedding were invited. Dixieland Jazz held center stage and had everyone tapping their foot the whole night. Thankfully, I was able to photograph the evening with Witt Lacy from Wingman Media Group. Slideshows and speeches were made, each with unquestionable care and love. I have always found rehearsal dinners to be one of first eye opening experiences for the bride and groom. What people say, who says it, how it is said, and all the little details that have come together are met with an overwhelming feeling of how much they are loved. It eases the mind slightly, a breath of fresh air can be taken, the world stops spinning at an alarming rate, even if just for a few hours, and nothing else on earth could matter more than being surrounded by people who have come to see YOU.






The day of the wedding came and the Aquarium was ready and waiting. over 175 people attended, standing room only in the back. The wonderful thing about being the photographer for your friends wedding is, you get a front row seat to the event, I felt like I had high security clearance to the entire DAY. And by sunset that evening, with the backdrop of the Charleston harbor and Ravenel bridge, complete with sailboat serenely floating by, the were married. I thought of all the days that have lead up to this one, some felt cyclic and chaotic, and others productive and silly, 10 different things checked off the "to-do" list; sighs of relief, tears of joy all boiled down to one very important life defining fact that no one else can argue, Dan and Katie are Husband and Wife.

The reception yielded a packed dance floor, a cheeseburger cake, sparklers, and a send off via moped into the night. It in every way accented their personalities, which a wedding should, but few achieve. The smiles on their faces were proof enough this was their day, their night, and it only begins from here. I once again found myself photographing alongside Tomme Hilton, less jitters this time, more excitement and thankful that after three weddings and many conversations together, I can call her my friend.

This wedding was all about friends. Friends that came from as far away as California to attend the wedding, who pinned up her veil, dabbed away tears, designed the flowers and bouquets and boutineers, who stood up for them at the alter, DANCED with them, make silly videos to watch on their honeymoon. One of a kind friends. And as clued in to their friends happiness as Katie and Dan were, it was apparent to how much love was felt by each others family. I have a soft spot for fathers, I will always tear up when Dads walk their daughters down the aisle and when Mothers hug their sons. It's inevitable, camera or not. When it was all over and the crowds dissipated and the sparklers fizzled out, the end conclusion was actually the beginning for them. Riding off into a life that I have no doubt will be wonderfully adventurous and entertaining, as life, and love should be.



BIG love to my friends Katie and Dan. Congratulations and I wish many MANY years of happiness for you both.

Elena and McKinley.

Summerville, SC


I remember the day Mom told me I was going to have a brother. I was 12, and ecstatic. I had this image of what he would be when we were older, even though he would be the youngest of us 4, he would naturally fall into the role of the "protective brother" I had always wanted. And at 6 years old, when he killed the centipede on the floor in the living room for my sisters and I, it solidified him as our heroic rescuer for all things bug related, a small task you might think, but you didn't see that bug. I can only imagine what he thinks of his three older sisters, "crazy", I'm sure, is one of the first words that comes to mind, but we can say the same about him, it must be a sibling thing...


I had a glimpse into the world of Mckinley and Elena today, a rare and wonderful thing to watch. I spent nearly 2 hours photographing them, and Mckinley stepped without hesitation into the role of "big brother" and held his sister, gave her kisses and was in love with my camera. I have never seen blue eyes like his, deep piercing blue like the center of a coveted marble, the color rivaled only by the ocean, and unlike any other blue eyed boy I have ever met. He is a complete bundle of energy, his mother will attest; and as I witnessed when he opened the freezer and helped himself to an ice cream sandwich. And yet his bond with his baby sister is strong, Elena smiled most when he was sitting next to her.

Elena has what I always wanted... RED hair! she is, to date, the youngest person I have ever been jealous of. I could never pull it off, but the auburn color of her hair is something I, among many others, would love to have. She is complacent and peaceful in her little swing when I met her, her stormless blue eyes suggest only great adventures await, ones of following around her big brother, and ones I would imagine she takes on her own...

Watching them together reminded me of how much I enjoy being a sister, how much I enjoy having the company of my siblings aka partners in crime most of the time. But there is something to be said for having that companionship, it is built at an early age and on a foundation rooted with love ( which they may jokingly deny years from now).

Big thanks and love to Allison for letting me photograph her wildly photogenic and inquisitive children. Allison, let me just say, could run a house full of children and make it look like a cake walk, although she may disagree, she can't because it's my blog and its the truth. But in all honesty it is quite a gift to care and love children with the grace she does, it is powerful beyond what we can imagine...

one through eleven.

Boston, MA

Several of you have expressed recently for me to write a little something about myself, a way for all 26 of you to get to know me a little better. Which, is understandable. I am the writer/ photographer of this blog and as such people should have a little " about the author" piece to resonate with my work and my life. I have been trying to think of ways to phrase this entry for a while. I could not decide if it was best to sit here and right a page long autobiographical satire of my life or throw out a few bits of information here and there that would seem informative and relevant. So, I've compiled a list of 11 things, I thought 11 was a good number, any less and people night think I'm not willing to give up any information about my life, and any more would seem like I am long winded/ starved for your attention, so I settled on 11. Ahem, here we go...







1. If I could travel the world for the remainder of my 20's I would do it in a heartbeat.


2. My true love in this world is to sit and listen to people talk, perfect strangers must know this because I have heard some VERY...interesting tales. And any one of my friends or family know they always have my ear when they need it. I am a sucker for tortured hearts and devilish smiles.

3. I can fall asleep immediately on airplanes. My sister would get so irritated when I fall asleep the second I clicked the seat belt in. And I guarantee you I will not wake up until the plane has touched down.

4. I have a severe addiction to caffeine. I drink 3-4 cups of coffee a day, sometimes more. Try not to speak to me with big words in the morning...I may bite your head off. Apologies in advance, but you were warned.

5. I have a real problem writing "I" at the beginning of all these sentences, my main focus for most of my life has been the well-being, happiness, and love of other people. Therefore "I" is something that seems selfish and arrogant to put at the beginning of my sentences, but I am working on it. This is probably excellent therapy for me, I should learn to leave a little space for myself in the day.

6. There is salt water in my veins, I will never live far from the ocean ever again.

7. Hands down, my favorite food is chocolate covered strawberries.

8. Contrary to popular belief I would actually LOVE to learn how to cook. Somehow I missed the boat on the cooking gene and the patience gene.

9. I never intended on acquiring the title of "photographer". I was convinced I would live out my life in the medical profession like my mother and be totally and completely happy. Photography is the single most selfish thing I have ever done and it has changed my life.

10. My favorite TV show is Sex and the City, which surprises a lot of people since I am no city girl, and would rather be barefoot than carry a Birkin bag, but I firmly believe there is a little bit of Carrie in me, and a little of Samantha in all of us. Lets not forget, cosmopolitans are my favorite drink, and the only kind of pink I like...

11. Unbeknownst to me, somewhere within the last two years I have learned to take myself out to dinner, the movies, and be completely and totally content entertaining myself.


There you have it, a few things about Me. It is actually kinda fun to sit for a minute and write down a few things about yourself, in an unselfish, non-egotistical setting. Out of all the journal entries I have written about my life experiences, decisions I have made, roads traveled, emotions expressed, and friends found, I realize I have only scratched the surface of what it means to live. To write 11 things, even 5 things, you cannot help but notice your own humanity. Surely I am not the only one this is happening to and I know I am not the first; just the other day a friend was telling me how she picked up and moved to California from South Carolina; best decision she ever made she would tell you. My ear is pressed to the hearts of the modern day Mary Poppins' of the world, and the sound is deafening, too loud to ignore.

So I will listen ( I'm good at that remember?), and when the wind changes, or there is a fork in the road, or it is time to flip my coin and decide the next road to take, I will have an understanding of every angle. The most important being my own. Maybe next time I'll write 12 things... Watch out!

For all who wander.

Atlanta, Georgia to Los Angeles, California.
2274 miles


West, I hear, is the direction of transformation. You can probably date that definition back to covered wagons and the pony express, it still does not change the truth. For all who are in search of something bigger than themselves, possibly bigger than they can handle there is only one way to go...




Enter the Ashley and Marea Show:
We are the masters of organized chaos, thriving on the impermanence of the road, of the passing trees, our compass pointed West. The trip was meant to unfold as it did, you could call it a race across the country, actually most would call the first leg of the trip just that, driving straight through from Georgia to Arizona in 2 and a half days is quite the feat, for any weary traveler.

When I travel, I travel well and never dull. I might be the easiest person to travel with, yet somewhere along the drive there is always some kind of adventure I am either actively pursuing or finds me by chance. I am almost certain I invited myself along on this trip. Marea, friend extraordinaire and holder of some of the most wild life tales I have ever heard, was extremely patient as I would pull the car over at 4 in the morning to photograph the harvest moon setting in West Texas. Evidently you learn a lot about a person when you spend 32 hours in a car with them, there was never an hour that was wasted or conversation without an enthralling story waiting to unfold. Most of the trip could have been the pilot for a new sitcom, a dramatic play perhaps, and then there are the parts that are only for the road and us to know...as it should be.

You use every resource when you travel light. Pandora and GPS are godsends in the middle of the night. Cousins in Hurst, Texas who buy you lunch and let you invade their apartment are wonderful. Non-clashing personalities in a car for hours on end are the roots of real friendship. Marea hates to drive, she will tell you that any day of the week. I have inherited my father's love for driving...problem solved. It looked as though we were winning the race to Arizona. And at 117 degrees midday on our arrival, a king size bed and a pool open 24/7 was nothing short of fabulous. We had wandered our way across three time zones, equipped with the latest technology and our nomadic hearts. We would have never made it had there been a shred of uncertainty or doubt between us. And the trip itself had only just begun.

Lets touch on a few fun facts shall we?:

1. Marea has a 4ft Ball Python as a pet, it quickly became the talk of several stops along the way. Strangers and hotel employees had no idea what to make of us, or Marea's quick wit. " Oh no sweetie, its just an accessory, its not real..." Shear genius.

2. If you carry a camera larger than your pocket you might just make it in to the fashion show at the "W" Hotel without much trouble.

3. Fireman hats work wonders for us.

4. The percentage of me moving to San Clemente or San Diego is higher than I expected.

5. "The Rainbow" on Sunset Boulevard is definitely the place to be on Friday night.

6. Friends who reconnect over coffee in the Farmer's Market make the trip worth the 45minutes we had to talk.

You cannot expect to return from a trip of such magnitude the same as you were when you left. We are both on an eternal search for clarity, insight and mischief. We are yearning to stitch up the hole in our heart that beckons us to find more than what we left with. Everyone should drive, should wander the country like they are searching for a piece of themselves; because whether you realize it or not, you are.

"For all who wander are not lost."

The trek across America was only a small part of the internal journey. We both felt the initial shock of being in Los Angeles once we were there, and the drive down the Pacific Coast highway left me wide-eyed and speechless. It is hard to believe, especially when you recognize its not a vacation, that there are places outside the world you have created for yourself back home, and that they are merely pushpins on the map of a very big world. There was purpose to the trip, aimlessness was not what we were seeking, we both found what we were looking for. I will never forget the shear joy and awe on Marea's face when she understood this was no longer a trip, she had an address and a life in California. It is the most intoxicating feeling to realize you have arrived at a place you WANT to be...and you are no longer lost the way you once thought you were.

There are so many friends who made this trip possible, worthwhile and as meaningful as it was. I cannot possibly, adequately thank them all the way I want to, you may just have to wait for the book version. But in all seriousness and honesty, you know who you are thank you a thousand times over for your love and hospitality.

I owe this entire trip and blog entry to Marea; one of my favorite and most wonderful friends. The world will never be the same. Miss you, but I'll see you sooner than you think...