Ashley Younkin specializes in photography that captures the love and joy found in your most precious relationships
By Mary Malik
We all have them…the people and moments in our lives we’re certain we’ll never forget. We may not forget the way they made us feel, but nothing preserves memories like photographs.
Ashley Younkin Photography has been preserving moments and memories professionally for over 20 years.
“I started taking pictures very young and it blossomed throughout high school and college,” says Ashley. “People asked me to shoot head shots in college. That turned into weddings and formal portraiture, and photography eventually became my career. My goal is to capture images that make tangible my clients’ purpose, why they do what they do, with the hope that these images can serve as a continual encouragement in their day-to-day.”
Ashley loves working with clients for major occasions like engagements and weddings, and simply capturing families in a relaxed, natural atmosphere.
“As the mother of three young children, I understand how crazy life can be and how fast the time goes,” says Ashley. “I’ll capture this season of life in a fun, relaxed, and sometimes quick session, for busy, active people.”
Ashley created 20-minute “mini-sessions,” which are popular with families with children who may not last much longer than that for photographs.
“I provide you with my style guide that walks you through tips and tricks to think about ahead of time to make the session more relaxed and, dare I say, fun,” says Ashley. “Things like how to coordinate outfits, what to bring with you—especially for children—make for a successful shoot.”
Ashley’s repeat clients have become friends and she considers it a privilege to see how the family grows year after year.
“I recently had a dad tell me he couldn’t believe how fun the session was,” says Ashley. “I take that as high praise from a dad at a photo shoot with his kids.”
What’s Ashley’s secret?
“I tell parents to have kids ready with a full belly, snacks on hand and don’t forget that favorite toy,” says Ashley. “Let’s capture those precious stages of childhood and the joy certain toys brought to your kids. I also want to know about their favorite show or a family joke. This way I can connect as I’m shooting and make everyone smile.”
As a foster parent to a child with special needs herself, Ashley was recently highlighted in People magazine when they did a feature story on a local family’s adoption of a child with special needs; using images from an AYP mini-session.
“This was an amazing experience for me and photographing these families is something near and dear to my heart,” says Ashley. “I want all families to feel loved and understood.”
Ashley also offers full portraiture sessions including 60-90 minutes providing a minimum of 25 images.
“This is a great option for multigenerational images, “says Ashley. “I can take a family photo of all generations together, then break down into individual images of each family unit within the group.”
These sessions also provide an opportunity to capture a specific location that has significance to the family such as a family property or lake house.
While Ashley Younkin Photography focuses on serving Northeast Ohio, Ashley has traveled outside Ohio and the U.S. for clients.
Ashley Younkin Photography Mini-Session
Purchase a $150 mini-session from AYP and you receive:
• A 20-minute session at specific locations in Bath, Medina, Wadsworth or Rittman (at Bauman Orchards) from September through November.
• Great for holiday cards, couples and immediate family.
• Receive a minimum of five images. Always included are one family photo and one photo of each child.
• Online gallery for your review.
• Full-resolution digital images.
Sessions sell out quickly. Sign up now at AshleyYounkin.com. For more information and to schedule your session with Ashley, go to her website AshleyYounkin.com.