Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Benham.
Hi Ashley, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi, I’m Ashley Benham—photographer, music lover, cat mom, and the heart behind Ashley Benham Photography. I was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and my love for storytelling through images led me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in photography from Columbia College Chicago. That experience shaped my eye, honed my technical skills, and deepened my appreciation for the emotional artistry of not only wedding photography, but photography in general.
My style blends contemporary, natural, and photojournalistic elements. I’m all about capturing the real stuff—the quiet glances, the loud laughs, the messy, magical in-between moments that make your love story yours. I strive to create bold, vibrant, and authentic images that feel true to who you are.
Inclusivity is at the core of my work. I believe every love story deserves to be celebrated and seen, and I’m especially passionate about creating a welcoming space for LGBTQ+ couples and all kinds of beautiful, unique relationships.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll probably find me at a local show, sipping a craft beer, or hanging out with my two cats, Lana and Lennon. I love being part of the Memphis community and supporting other local artists and small businesses.
I’m incredibly honored to have been voted first in Best Wedding Photographer 2022 in the Memphis Flyer, as well as, named runner-up for Best Wedding Photographer in the Memphis Flyer’s Best of Memphis 2024—it means the world to have my work recognized by this amazing community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being a wedding photographer during a global pandemic was one of the hardest — and strangely, most eye-opening — times in my career.
Weddings came to a screeching halt. In the blink of an eye, my entire calendar cleared out. Clients were heartbroken, confused, and scrambling to reschedule. I wasn’t just losing work — I was having some of the most emotional phone calls of my life, trying to help couples navigate something none of us had ever experienced before. I felt like part wedding vendor, part therapist.
There was also the very real financial fear. Photography isn’t just a passion — it’s how I pay my bills. And when events disappeared, so did income. It forced me to get creative, shift to smaller sessions, offer elopement packages, and lean into things like virtual consultations and Zoom meetings just to keep some sense of connection.
And of course, there was the health anxiety. I wanted to keep my clients safe — and myself. Shooting while masked, keeping my distance, constantly sanitizing gear… it was a completely new rhythm. I had to learn how to read emotion from eyes alone, because smiles were often hidden behind masks.
But even in the hardest moments, there were silver linings. Intimate weddings became more intentional. People stripped away the fluff and focused on what really mattered — love, connection, and shared moments with their closest people. And I was lucky enough to document those raw, stripped-down celebrations. They reminded me why I started doing this in the first place.
The pandemic tested me in every possible way, but it also deepened my gratitude for this work. It showed me just how resilient love — and community — can be.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a wedding and portrait photographer based in Memphis, and what I do is really about so much more than just taking pretty pictures. I tell stories — honest, bold, joy-filled stories that capture people exactly as they are. I specialize in weddings, elopements, and couples, but I also love documenting the quieter moments in between — the laughs, the nerves, the wild dance floor energy, all of it.
I think what I’m most known for is how comfortable I make people feel. A lot of my clients come in saying they’re awkward in front of the camera or that they’ve never had professional photos taken before — and by the end of the session, they’re laughing, relaxed, and fully themselves. That’s what I’m most proud of: creating an environment where people can just be, and then giving them photos that feel like their true selves.
What sets me apart? I’d say it’s the combination of intentional storytelling, inclusivity, and bold, vibrant editing that leans into emotion over perfection. I’m not interested in stiff poses or staged moments — I want movement, connection, real energy. I also deeply value inclusivity and representation. My work is a safe and celebratory space for everyone — especially LGBTQ+ couples and folks who don’t always see themselves reflected in traditional wedding media.
At the end of the day, I want every person I photograph to feel seen, celebrated, and beautifully documented. That’s the heart of everything I do.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
The wedding industry has shifted in some pretty big ways over the last few years, and I think we’re just starting to see how those changes will shape the next 5–10 years. One major shift is how much more intentional couples are being with their weddings — they’re choosing experiences over tradition, personal touches over perfection. Smaller guest lists, more creative venues, and non-traditional timelines are becoming the norm, and I think that’s only going to continue.
At the same time, I’ve noticed that expectations have gotten a lot higher — sometimes to an overwhelming degree. Couples are more detail-oriented than ever, and there’s a desire for everything to look and feel like the highlight reel they see online. I get it — we’re in an era where Pinterest, TikTok, and Instagram show endless beautiful inspiration, and that can create pressure to have every single moment feel picture-perfect. But with that comes more scrutiny, more comparison, and sometimes more stress for both vendors and couples.
It’s not necessarily a negative thing — I think it’s more about how people deeply want their day to be reflective of who they are. It’s a big investment, and they want to get it right. My job, and really the industry’s job as a whole, is to meet that with patience, clarity, and creativity. We have to guide clients with a calm, grounded energy — help them cut through the noise and come back to what actually matters to them, not what social media says a wedding should be.
Looking ahead, I see the industry continuing to lean into more personalized, emotionally-driven experiences. I think storytelling will become even more central, and authenticity will outweigh perfection. And I’m here for it — I want to be part of an industry that celebrates the real, the raw, and the wildly human moments that make each wedding unforgettable.
Pricing:
- Portrait sessions start at $585
- Boudoir sessions start at $650
- Elopements start at $1,550
- Wedding start at $2,950
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleybenhamphotography.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleybenhamphoto
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleybenhamphotography
