I’ve been pro third-wheelin’ on many different lovers’ adventures since early 2020. I come from a small, quiet town in Illinois called Yorkville (home of the foxes and land of the never-ending cornfields). For a good chunk of time post high-school, I was really struggling with what I wanted to do with my life. It took boat loads of trial and error, fussing with different jobs and career paths that never fully satisfied me and left me feeling empty. But when I stumbled upon photography and the wedding industry - that’s when everything clicked.
Throughout my journey of navigating adulthood, I gradually discovered and unlocked the talents, skills, and passions that drive me to be my best, most authentic self. I discovered that I’m an artist, a stylist, a designer, a photographer, a traveler, a crafter, a story teller, a DIY-er; a sucker for details and aesthetics. And it’s this combination of passions that fueled my love for photography. And now, I can say with full certainty, that I absolutely LOVE what I do, and don’t ever want to look back.
When I’m not behind camera, you can find me in an intense game of fetch with my maltipoo puppy, Charlie (Charleston Chews, Charlie Brown, Mr. Fluff Pants) - whatever you wanna call him, or playing 1,346 rounds of Mario Party with my squad. It’s also not unlikely you’ll find me at the nearest thrift store excitedly sifting through the racks and happy dancing over how many “steals” I’m finding (+ wondering how someone could seriously give up a perfectly good pair of jeans from Free People, or a super trendy Anthropologie sweater that still has the tags attached - like whaaaat!?).
World’s biggest people-pleaser, guilty of being too nice for my own good
Thrift shopping + spicy food fanatic
Pro DIY-er who’d rather spend 5,267 hours making a birthday card from scratch than buy one at the store
A deep thinker with big opinions on big life things
A gal who’s super duper happy
(+ constantly in awe!) to be doing what she does
Ashley Bowling, Formerly Ashley Bowling Photography
Going on year 8 of this dream (est. 2016) - I’m a full time Professional Wedding & Elopement photographer, wife, and Mama.
As a child, I grew up with cameras at every event - big or small. I can remember my Grandpa taking pictures of the new shower door being installed while I watched. My Dad teaching me Photoshop with me in his lap, editing away at my brother’s T-Ball game snapshots. If I could go back to June 11th, 2008 + tell my Grandpa one more thing, it’d be, “You’ve given me purpose. I love you.”
In 2016, I shared a family portrait of my now Husband and our three pups, Bolt, Roofus, and Kapone for Christmas. Picking up my camera that day to snap a moment in time for us and only us, threw me into this career. Waking up to messages across all social media platforms asking me to share my passion of photography and document others love for the holidays. And here I am, 7 years later. Thriving with my best friend by my side - pooling our creativity, passions, and like minded outlook on life to build our collective of art and love.
On my off days - you can find me soaking up all the time I can with my little family of 6 (including the fur babes). If I had to pick a highlight reel that described us perfectly, it’d be; 1. watching my husband complete his absolute favorite chore under the sun - mowing the lawn (-casually rides by the front window flipping me the bird as he absolutely dominates at his Midwestern dad duties-); 2. Declan’s chunky cannoli legs slapping the wood floor, all while giggling as I chase him down the hallway; 3. Laying on a blanket in the yard, post-fetch and the dogs all huddled around - tongue’s stretched out after getting in their exercise.
Wife + Mama
Empath who cries at just about everything
Extroverted introvert
Cheese + German Shepherds are my love languages
Most days my mouth could make a sailor blush
Someone in heaven shared his passion for photography with me + so it began
Nicole Kilday, Formerly Nicole Kilday Photography
