lauren ashley

Owner, Lead Photographer & Creative Architect

meet

I’ve had a passion for art my entire life, one that could not be subdued. Fate kept telling me that I was going to be a photographer. Following my heart, I founded Lauren Ashley Studios in 2013 with a goal to wow my clients for generations to come. To this day, and more than __ weddings later, I am still honored and beyond excited when a couple chooses us for their wedding day. I always strive to be a better person for myself and those around me. That includes my clients!

I’m from Orland Park, IL and start every day with coffee, feeding my slight addiction. I love animals — dogs, cats, deer and snakes — but I will scream over a spider. I guide this business with my family in mind, as I raise my son, Noah, and spend time with our black Labrador, Daz. 

view lauren's portfolio

A Snapshot of Lauren Ashley's Life:

18

cups of coffee per week

300+

weddings
photographed


43

US States
Visited


700,000+

tik tok
followers

Associate Photographers & Videographers

"This team was an absolute dream to work with."

- maureen s.

Taylor 

executive assistant

Nicole 

photographer

Mallory 

photographer/ Assistant

Micheal 

photographer

Jose 

photographer

Michael 

associate photographer

Sam 

photographer

Carter 

Lead cinematographer

Eddie 

associate cinematographer

taylor

Executive Assistant

1. Where are you from: New Lenox, IL
2. Describe a typical day in the life (do you enjoy coffee, walking your dog, etc.) A typical day for me is working out in the morning, and then getting ready to teach high school students. Then in the afternoon I get to work for this amazing company along with taking care of my dog Kane. I also love to cook so I try to
3. Why do you do what you do? I love working for this company, because of the people I work for. I also love to help our clients whether that be talking them through the consultation process, letting them know we are here to make their big day amazing for them, and all the little details/ behind the scenes work that goes into it.
4. What's your favorite part about your job? I would say making the timelines to ensure our clients get their day to go as smoothly as possible or just talking with the clients. I have met some amazing people doing what I do.
5. What drives you? I would say knowing that people depend on you, and also being able to work for an amazing photographer like Lauren. You want to make sure their work and their business does well. :)

nicole 

Lead Photographer

1. Where are you from?
I'm from a little town called Romeoville. (:
2. Describe a typical day in life:
Weekdays are for my furry babies! Weekends are for my beautiful couples!
3. Why do you do what you do?
Ever since I was a little girl I loved to make others smile. I like to express not with words, but with showing. Photography really chose me for this purpose. I always say everything happens for a reason!
4. What's your favorite part about your job?
Story-telling! The EMOTIONS! Becoming friends with my couples! There's so many I can keep going! I absolutely love being able to create these special moments and showing them the back of the camera. Their eyes just fill up with smiles and that says it all!
5. What drives you?
Others! Just seeing how I can make their day even more special! (:

mk

Lead Photographer

1) I'm from Pekin, IL
2) On a typical day, I wake up, get Ellyotte, my daughter off to school, clean, edit, edit, workout, edit, spend time with family!
3) I do what I do because I’m obsessed with weddings. Who doesn’t want to basically join in on the party?!
4) My favorite part of my job is seeing love in all forms, seeing how each of my couples love each other so differently from the previous couple.
5) I'm driven by striving to build a life for my family that sets them up for success, while showing them how to pursue their dreams and not settle.

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Njeri 

Lead Photographer

1. Born in Tanzania, I moved to the US when I was 12 years old.
2. My days start super early in the morning with a “Power Hour” routine that consists of:
Reading, Meditation, Exercise (really this is me dancing a jig to my favorite dance music or power dancing on a treadmill — fun times), Devotional, I love my coffee....like a lot. So I always brew a fresh one before getting started. And let’s not forget my daily dose of Dave Ramsey every day to keep me focused on my goals.
3. I love photographing people’s stories because, at the end of the day, that’s all we have left to pass down as our legacy but even beyond that the images are a great reminder of our life journey and our adventures.
4. Freezing time with each image captured. It’s so powerful to know that my couples remember the exact moments that are captured just by seeing the images.
5. Excellence! I want to show up as my best self EVERY time....that’s my heart’s intention.

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carter 

Lead Cinematographer

1. I was born and raised in Beaverton Oregon! Go Ducks!
2. I start everyday walking my dogs to the park. We never miss a morning park run! If im working in the ER that day I usually grab a cup of coffee before my 12 hour shift. If im working on client work I like to make a list of goals to accomplish for the day and get cracking at it!
3. I love the creativity that I get to express with my filmmaking. Getting to tell the stories of my clients is such a fun and exciting experience. When I get to see their reactions after, its priceless.
4. I love that filmmaking is a hybrid between understanding technology and also having a creative edge. My favorite part is merging both of those passions of mine.
5. I've been through a ton of struggles in my life. The thing that drives me most is that I get to work hard on something that I love doing everyday.

micheal

Associate Photographer

1. Where are you from? Wherever you want me to be. LOL I am from a small town in Bolingbrook.
2. Describe a typical day in the life: I'm a coffee connoisseur, and I have the privilege of being a cat dad. Hang out with my fiancé Nicole who is also a photographer on this team! I like to be fun and a hilarious guy, I like trying anything new, as long as it doesn’t involve heights or spicy food. I love cooking for my family and it’s honestly one of the best thing to have is bring family together at one table.
3. Why do you do what you do? I love seeing people happy in my photos, and I love making people smile with my jokes, plus the food isn’t half bad at some venues.
4. What's your favorite part about your job? Just being in the middle of stressful situations and making magic out of very little, whether there is no time, bad locations or it’s pouring rain, I make magic with my lens.
5. What drives you? What drives me the most is going to bed at night and seeing the dreams that I want, and waking up in the morning and making it a reality. It’s not perfect but it’s always a step forward!

jose luis uribe

Main Photographer

I’m Jose, a Chicago born photographer with roots in Mexico. I enjoy golf and sitting in a coffee shop, enjoying my drink on our usual refreshing, windy mornings. I love using light to create thought-provoking images. My process often consists of visualizing a scene and entering a zen-like state that keeps me coming back for more. I enjoy interacting with people and if I can get them to laugh and enjoy the moment, the images are that much better.

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michael nguyen

Associate Photographer

1. Where are you from?
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. I moved to Chicago in 2011 and still loving the cold weather and city.
2. Describe a typical day in life (do you enjoy coffee, walking your dog, etc.)
My typical day during this crazy time is still quarantining, morning coffee, and lots of wine throughout the day. My wife and I just had a baby in July and we are loving the parent role. Blessed to still be able to work from home and have plenty of time to be with our baby girl.
3. Why do you do what you do?
Photography is a creative outlet for me. It's an itch that I must scratch. Being able to create beautiful images is a natural high that I seek. So naturally, wedding days are simply the best. A lot of smiles, laughter, and love throughout the day.
4. What's your favorite part about your job?
My favorite part about my job is building a relationship with the couple and continuing to stay in touch long after the wedding day.
5. What drives you?
My daughter now motivates me. She initiates, guides, and creates my life's goal. All that I do is for her and for her future success. Nothing else matters.

Sam sansudsavat

Associate Photographer

I was born and raised in Thailand and now call Chicago home with my wife, Sierra. A day in the life consists of cuddling with Twinkie, my Aussie mix doggie, as well as rock climbing and cooking. 
 
As for work (if you can call it that), seeing couples live the best day of their lives all while smiling, madly in love, brings me joy. Who doesn’t like seeing other people happy? My favorite part is encouraging moments that allow the couple to let loose and authentically express their love to one another. Not only do you get better photos that show their personality, but the experience at that moment is going to trump everything.

eddie tolentino

Associate Cinematographer

1. Where are you from?
Originally from Manila, Philippines. I have lived in the Chicago area all of my adult life.

2. Describe a typical day in the life (do you enjoy coffee, walking your dog, etc.)
I love nature. A morning cup of coffee before a long walk at a forest/nature preserve is an ideal start to the day for me. More coffee followed by some kind of pastry or muffin after the walk would highlight the day.
 
3. Why do you do what you do?
I love it, that’s why.

4. What's your favorite part about your job?
When I’m acknowledged for being part of someone’s day. When I receive compliments for my work.

5. What drives you?
Being around wonderfully positive people.

sky kim

Associate Cinematographer & Photographer

I'm from Chicago and love to be adventurous, crafting artwork as I travel the world. I am an adrenaline junkie and enjoy giving back to the community as a firefighter. I love what I do as a creator because it gives my life a sense of freedom. It also gave me an appreciation for all the shapes and colors of the world. Moreover, building positive relationships all while creating art gives me a sense of satisfaction like no other.

Scott lubbee

Brand Rep, Cinematographer & Photographer

1. I am from a small town near the Quad Cities, called Taylor Ridge, IL
2. I work in the quality assurance industry for my 9-5, but when I get home, I am usually helping my daughter with homework, making dinner, and playing with my dogs. I am a hobby breeder of the Cane Corso, and they take a lot of my time up. I also have a sweet little puggle pup. My wife and I enjoy kayaking, swimming and just being with each other outdoors. Family is very important to me so I usually try to spend as much time as I can with them, cooking out or playing board games.
3. I fell in love with photography about 6 years ago. I consider myself to be a creative type, and with my analytical job, I needed a creative outlet. It started with landscape photography and evolved into family, and ultimately wedding photography and videography. Now, all I prefer to shoot is weddings. At heart I am a hopeless romantic and I love having the opportunity to tell other peoples love story through my work.
4. My favorite part about my job, is the emotions that come with weddings. Seeing a groom that cries at the very sight of his bride (It was me), a father trusting a man to love and protect his little girl. Then the excitement and party that ensues at the reception. And I get to capture all of that! Best job in the world!!
5. There is a great deal of responsibility that comes with being a wedding photographer. A couple has entrusted you to capture, potentially, the most important day of there lives, and I do not take that responsibility lightly. I am driven by their faith in me, artistically and journalistically to provide them with the best work that I can. I am a firm believer in quality over quantity, and we are paid to capture the memories they are making, as they are making them.

kim failing

Associate Photographer

1. I am from the western burbs and still live in the western burbs
2. A typical day for me consists of raising my 3 young kids, school drop offs, running them around, etc. And yes I love my coffee in the mornings (AND afternoons...) I also love to relax with a glass of cabernet at night while watching shows with my hubby.
3. I love photography. I love looking at beautiful pictures and I love capturing beautiful pictures. I also love the challenge. Wedding photography especially is very challenging and never ever the same. I learn something new every single wedding.
4. My favorite part about what I do is the chance to have that creative outlet. I love the fact that you can strive to be as creative as possible while making your clients happy. I also do like being challenged to always evolve and constantly learn.
5. What drives me are the challenges I face as a photographer and the excitement of achieving that perfect shot

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@laurenashleystudios