On cultivating a positive wedding artist-planner-client relationship
with Lisa Ashley, Curator + Manager
When I think about weddings and the very essence of celebration, my mind always leads back to the connective tissue between the people sharing that experience. It’s partly why I launched this audio blog series; to explore the inner workings of that dynamic and allow for reflection of why we do the thing we do. Wherever you choose to listen along; episodes are available on our website here, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts; know that you are welcomed with open arms.
Today. I’m overjoyed to have Lisa Ashley on End of the Night. Lisa is the owner and curator of The Wedding Artists Collective. From her sunny Northern California office, she manages the artists’ day-to-day operations, freeing them up to do what they love and do best – make beautiful photos and films. She reps an impressive roster of talented filmmakers and photographers who have been recognized by Harper’s Bazaar, BRIDES, Vogue and many more as bonafide tastemakers.
And the role Lisa plays is quite unique. One part agent, one part coach, one part cheerleader. In fact, that last part we talk about quite a bit. Lisa is really in the partnership business.
“It’s a lateral, dynamic, beautiful relationship. And I yeah, I think we all make each other better, we’re making each other stronger and better,” notes Lisa.
Not every job gets you out of bed for the same reason, and that’s ok. But Lisa shares how she’s noticed a shift in priorities of couples getting married, and why photography as an heirloom has never been more important than in today’s age.
“It’s less about creating a party to show off and get featured. Instead, it’s creating a party to create memories. The fact that we get to document that for people is just insane,” says Lisa.
We exchanged quite a few laughs. And if I’m being honest, we could have talked for hours. In the interest of time, we’re sharing the best stuff with you. But Lisa kindly left us with a few of her favorite photographers outside the wedding world who may spark a new sense of ingenuity in all of us.
“I grew up in the late 80’s/90’s during the supermodel era of Naomi Cambell, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, Cindy Crawford and Christy Trulington so my first exposure to photography was around fashion. I inevitably paid attention to Peter Limbergh, Mario Testino, Steven Meisel and Helmut Newton And of course the greats like Richard Avedon and Irving Penn. Then music came into my life and I discovered the documentary photography work of Jim Marshall and Annie Liebovitz. I even got to rep rock n’roll photographer Danny Clinch at the old agency I worked at. And of course you just have to love the classic street photographers like Henri Cartie Bresson, Garry Winogrand, Lee Friedlander, and the posthumously famous, Vivian Maier.”
Psst… If you haven’t already tuned into Meg Smith’s interview, please do. All episodes are available here on our website, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Meg’s episode is the yin to Lisa’s yang. Follow Lisa Ashley of The Wedding Artists Co on Instagram @theweddingartistsco and on the web at www.theweddingartistsco.com
