Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashleigh Kutryb.
Hi Ashleigh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I wasn’t particularly interested in the arts because I was immersed in competitive tennis. My parents had their sights set on us earning tennis scholarships, so we had daily lessons and spent every weekend in competitive tournaments. I started playing tennis at the age of 6, and it quickly became the focal point of my life. I traveled for tournaments, achieved a state ranking, and even made it onto the high school varsity team at just 12 years old, often competing against opponents much older than me and, more often than not, winning my matches.
So, you can see why artistic pursuits in career paths didn’t seem feasible. Besides tennis, I was laser-focused on my studies, maintaining close to a 4.0 GPA throughout high school. I aspired to attend an Ivy League school to please my parents and secure a respected, high-paying job post-college. However, Mandarin Chinese classes in high school opened up a new world for me. I fell in love with the language, captivated by its history and culture. The challenge of mastering a language so different from English became a passion of mine, and I excelled at learning Mandarin Chinese.
Amidst my tennis commitments and academic endeavors, I also had the opportunity to take photography classes. Surprisingly, I found myself drawn to photography, relishing the chance to express my creativity behind the lens. I mastered the technicalities of using a camera and honed my skills in editing. People in my class began to take notice, often requesting me to take photos for them or their senior portraits. Photography became a significant hobby, providing an outlet to escape the pressures of life and fully express myself.
What drew me to art was its freedom from competition. Unlike tennis matches where there’s always a winner and a loser, art allowed me to create simply for the joy of creating. There was no pressure to outperform anyone else; I took photos because it brought me happiness and allowed me to make something cool without feeling like I had to prove myself.
After high school, I made a bold decision to quit tennis and pursue Asian studies and Mandarin Chinese at Rollins College. I even had the opportunity to travel to Taiwan for language programs, thanks to a scholarship from the US State Department. However, post-college, I found myself at a crossroads. Despite enjoying Mandarin Chinese, I realized that my degree was more about fulfilling my parents’ expectations than following my passions.
So, I took a break, moved back home, and threw myself into photography. Learning Photoshop allowed me to develop a distinct style, and soon, people were reaching out to hire me for shoots. I pursued further education at UCF to explore my creative side and delve deeper into film. However, as the semester progressed, I realized I wasn’t learning much and decided to take matters into my own hands.
I became more active online, showcasing my work and engaging with potential clients. With each inquiry, my confidence grew, and I began charging what I was worth. Despite my self-criticism, I’ve had a successful first year in business at 23. I’m continually learning about photography, eagerly anticipating the growth of my business and the opportunity to work with more amazing humans. It’s only the beginning, and I’m grateful to be able to pursue my passion and make people feel like the works of art they truly are.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I think the biggest thing I had to overcome was my mindset. Growing up, I never thought you could make a career as an artist, and I thought it wasn’t a well-respected career. I wanted to please my parents and pursue something more academically oriented, so it was never an option in my head. I thought people would judge me for having “impossible” dreams or for pursuing a career that wasn’t seen as super lucrative by many.
As I did the inner work and became unapologetically myself, I genuinely stopped caring about what people thought about me and my career goals. People love to tell others what to do with their lives, but at the end of the day, it’s ME who’s waking up every day and actually living that life. I learned to live for myself instead of for other people, which isn’t a simple task.
Another challenge was learning the business side of photography. I’ve been taking photos for seven years, so I am very confident in my artistic abilities. However, as I’ve grown my business, I’ve been forced to learn more about how to price myself, market myself, and get in front of new audiences. You can be great at your craft, but if you don’t educate yourself on how to run a business, your business will fail.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a photographer who specializes in bold, vibrant, and whimsical photos for both individuals and brands. I believe my colorful, eclectic style sets me apart from other photographers. I strive to ensure that each shoot is unique and presents something entirely new to the viewer. Another aspect that distinguishes my work is my imagination, allowing me to conceive eccentric concepts for photoshoots. I frequently utilize Photoshop in my images, a practice not commonly seen among photographers in Orlando.
Recently, I have started working with more brands. Having been vegan for 7 years and being passionate about slow fashion, I particularly enjoy working with sustainable and plant-based brands.
How do you think about luck?
I’ve always been a disciplined person and put 100% into everything I do, whether it was with tennis, school, learning Mandarin, or photography. I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of hours working to improve my craft to reach the level I’m at today. I am vulnerable and put myself out there, both in person and online, every day in hopes of connecting with people who resonate with me and my art. I believe my hard work and determination have brought me to where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://luciddreamartistry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucid.dream.artistry/
Image Credits
3 girls paint dripping photo credits: Fingers crossed🤞 STRIKE ISSUE 7 IS OUT NOW!! ⚡️ 📸 + editing: @lucid.dream.artistry Models: @noemigonnz @paolatheexplora @camilacguti Concept + creative direction: @graykeglovic EIC: @allysullyy Fashion director: @millermoda Fashion curators: Deavion Deleon, Sydni Torrero, Angelina Curatelli, Ranya Wakash Beauty Director: @katherinepolgarr @katherinepolgar Beauty Assistant Director: @dazzle_by_jillian Jellyfish photo credits: DEEP BLUE photographer- @lucid.dream.artistry styling: @jaxona_lee | @royggbiv model: @theamalbryson Studio: @lapzstudio wires credits: ≋P≋o≋w≋e≋r≋ ≋s≋u≋r≋g≋e≋ 🔌⚡️ 📸 + editing: @lucid.dream.artistry Model: @bassel.film Stylist: @royggbiv @jaxona_lee fish/mermaid photo credits: swim at your own risk ⚠️ . . makeup💄 @katherinepolgar photographer📸 @kutrybcandid styling👗 @royggbiv lighting💡 @ur.friendlyphotog Barbie photoshoot concept: Model: @sapphirahxo Photographer + editing: @lucid.dream.artistry Studio: @lapzstudio alien photoshoot credits: Area 05 👽 Photographer: @lucid.dream.artistry Concept Creators: @ilana.martinez & @shak.imusic Editor in Chief: @shak.imusic Creative Director: @ilana.martinez Models: @jalenahh @toxicbia @thebonequeen Photography Director: @keelynhennighan Videographer: @m.aaluu BTS Photographers: @w.imberly @n.sfranklin Styling Director: @dramatic.fish Styling Assistant Director: @theincordero Stylist: @riahandrew Beauty Director: @dazzle_by_jillian Beauty Artists: @spookysoapy @lilyclementee Lead Hairstylist: @lysthehairwizard Set Design Director: @anhxlyy Set Designer: @bigtiano Production Assistant: @wrenthedevil sunset/orange silouette shoot credits: 𝕽𝖊𝖇𝖔𝖗𝖓☀️🦋💐 📸 + edit: @lucid.dream.artistry Model: @konquerer.ki spaceship/futuristic reflective dress shoot credits: P𝓵𝓪𝓷𝓮𝓽 𝓐𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓲𝓪 || 𝔀𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓬𝓮𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓵 𝓫𝓮𝓪𝓾𝓽𝔂 𝓶𝓮𝓮𝓽𝓼 𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓱𝓷𝓸𝓵𝓸𝓰𝓲𝓬𝓪𝓵 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓿𝓮𝓵𝓼 Photographer + Editing: @lucid.dream.artistry Model: @vikovisuals @mrstoriali
