Ash Hope - Beyond Personal Branding Photography

Ash Hope is a a Facilitator for Corporate Health and Wellbeing programs, Mentor and Ashtanga Yoga teacher. Her passion is to inspire people to a healthier and happier life. 

Needless to say the whole photo session was full of inspiring moments, zen and of course fun. The highlight for me was having Maxi on set - Ash’s beautiful dog, who made the whole experience even more unforgettable. 

Unfortunately, not long after our photo session Ash told me that Maxi had to be put down due to a severe illness. I was devastated. Especially in moments like this you realise photographs hold a much more bigger meaning and value and I know Ash will treasure these shots forever. 

I’m grateful for being able to capture the special and unique bond between Ash and Maxi. 

I asked Ash about her experience in the studio and why she decided to come to me in the first place. 

A photo can express much more than words can say. I personally connect much quicker with a persons photo than reading through a long biography. The intention to get my photos professionally taken, was to create a connection between me and the person who looks at the photo. I was looking for photos that reflect who I am and what my business is about. I will be using the images for my LinkedIn profile, Social Media and will also integrate them on my website. They also will come in handy for publications like articles, etc. 

Important to me when choosing a photographer was the quality of the images and how the look and feel of previous work aligns with what I want to achieve. I wanted to feel comfortable with the person I work and on the same page in regards to the outcome. 

Ksenia was recommended to me after searching a little while for a photographer. I liked reading through her blog and after learning more about how she works I was keen to talk to her. We instantly connected on the phone and I felt very comfortable with her. Ksenia is very open, helpful and has a super positive attitude. The combination of talent and skill with her awesome personality made me chose her over others. 

Like most people that don’t stand in front of the camera every day,  I also get self-conscious and very critical of myself. Meeting Ksenia in person before the photoshoot and taking some time to talk about the desired outcome and concerns helped me to feel very relaxed on the day. My dog Maxi was also invited for the photoshoot which added another element of fun to the day. 

As for the overall personal branding experience, Ksenia was very helpful in preparing for the session. She considered the branding colours of my business and helped with outfits, accessories and backdrops to make everything fit and align with the look and feel of my business.
She put a lot of thought into creating images that feel natural and show personality. I also loved working with Nicole Groch who did my Hair and Make-up. Knowing that she uses high-quality products that are all vegan and cruelty free made a HUGE difference to me. I don’t normally wear much make-up, but felt great with what she did and her products are amazing. 

Ksenia went above and beyond and looked after me (and my dog Maxi) so well. There was a lot we had planned for the day, but the whole experience felt never rushed and Ksenia managed the session very professionally. 

The photoshoot was fun and I really enjoyed it - even though I am not a camera girl. But the most enjoyable part of the session was the time leading up to the shoot. Spending time on myself to get pampered, to get my hair and make-up done and to enjoy being looked after was very nice and nurturing.  A good reminder how to practice self-love as a woman and to embrace femininity. 

I highly recommend Ksenia for business portraits but also just to have some nice photos of yourself. It is totally worth it to invest the time and money for the experience and capture some beautiful and memorable moments of your life. 

Thanks so much to Ash for this truly beautiful testimonial and for trusting me in capturing your branding portraits together with Maxi. He is now running happy in the doggy Paradise.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.