The REALTOR® you are today is the sum total of all of the experiences you’ve had and lessons you’ve learned. 

All of those moments add up to create the superior level of work you provide to your clients each day.

Ashley Reed is the same way.

As Owner and Photographer with Refined Influence Photography, Ashley maintains a constant focus on quality.

“I really enjoy running my own business. I was with AT&T for five years, then switched into the solar industry, and eventually into mortgages as a licensed loan officer. I’ve always enjoyed the customer side. I like helping people and giving them a good experience. But I like doing things my own way. I don’t like being stuck in one place all day,” Ashley says. 

“I like change and learning something new. With my photography business, I get to take what I’ve learned from my past industries and see how I can apply those experiences to make my business successful. I commonly ask myself what one of the past companies I worked for would do. Then I try to adapt it to my own business.”

Prior to going full-time with her photography business, Ashley worked for Paddio as a licensed loan officer. During her time there, she closed loans for families all around the United States. Her favorite part of the day was receiving the listings from clients and seeing the homes they were purchasing. She has always enjoyed touring homes and seeing the different architecture. This fueled her passion for real estate photography. “It was always easy to spot who paid someone to take professional photos and who didn’t,” Ashley recalls.

As Ashley reflects on her start in the business, she goes back even further … to the time when she was a child.

“As a child, I would occasionally receive disposable cameras as gifts. I treasured them and would save them up for exciting things, such as zoo trips, or chasing my grandma’s animals around the farm … trying to get a good shot,” Ashley remembers. 

“Starting with film was different because you couldn’t review the image after you took it, or edit it, to the extent you can now. It forced me to learn good composition, and even at a young age I was told I had an eye for it.”

In time, as technology changed and she grew, Ashley’s cameras evolved, as well.

“I remember being so excited when I got my first digital camera, a cheap Sanyo. A few years later I upgraded to a “real” brand, this indigo Nikon Coolpix,” she remembers. “At the time I thought I had finally made it. I couldn’t believe I had such a nice camera. Never as a child did I imagine I would one day own the gear I do now."

“After I graduated high school I finally purchased my first DSLR. From the very beginning, I knew this is what I wanted to do with my life. I spent the next few years learning everything I could about Photoshop, my camera, and trying to improve every aspect of my photos. In 2018, I moved from Bolivar to Ozark and fully rebranded my business into what is now known as Refined Influence Photography. I wanted something new that felt unique and high-end.” 

Ashley takes pride in the way she has taught herself so much about photography over the past 20 years. 

“Photography is something that is ever-changing,” she says. “There’s always something new to learn, to improve, or to just get quicker at. I constantly set goals for myself and never want to get complacent with my work. I know I can always get better.” 

Ashley has spent a lot of time working to offer a complete solution for most photography needs. Her business has three segments to it.

The first offers HDR Real estate photography & videography, along with team photos, headshots, and marketing images. 

The second consists of regular photography sessions. Family, maternity, senior, weddings, and equine are some of the most popular. She offers a unique style that features true-to-life colors and a dreamy finish. This was inspired by her love for producing art. 

This brings up her third segment, fine art prints. She has always loved capturing those “once in a  lifetime” shots and having them printed around her home. She also sells these images nationwide. “I love the idea of being able to share my art with people around the country… knowing my work is displayed around their homes and businesses,” she says.

Those who have the chance to work with Ashley appreciate her relentless approach to customer satisfaction.

“My drive is to make it easy to use my services. I have everything online so you can book, pay, receive your images, and order prints. I spend a lot of time researching and finding the best platforms to use. As a part of that, I am upfront about all my pricing. Everything can easily be found on my website. I want the entire experience from beginning to end to be memorable… in a good way,” she laughs. 

Ashley’s family time is very important to her. She looks forward to moments spent with her boyfriend, Gideon and her children — her daughter, Felicity; and her son, Adrian.

In her free time, Ashley has a love of travel. One of her favorite pursuits is snowboarding in places like Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson Hole, Wyoming. She looks forward to trips to various national parks. As part of that, she is a big fan of hiking, mountain biking, and spending her summers on the lake.

When you talk with Ashley, it’s easy to see the way her professional demeanor and customer-focused efforts create success for her partners and clients each day.

When you are looking for someone to help you maintain a focus on quality in your imagery, look to Ashley Reed and Refined Influence Photography!