Love Her Campus WFU photography? Meet the wonderful Karleigh Ash, one of the girls behind the lens of HC’s photography. Karleigh is a freshman from picturesque (pun intended – couldn’t help it) La Jolla, California. It didn’t take long for Karleigh’s photography skills to be discovered, and she’s already on her way to photo superstardom at Wake.
Karleigh has always been interested in photography, but honed in on her talent because of her grandmother’s influence.
“My grandma was an extremely talented photographer,” says Karleigh “She had a darkroom in her house and everything.”
However, due to eye disease Karleigh’s grandmother became blind. In turn, Karleigh became her protégé.
“She passed a lot of her lenses and stuff down to me, which has really helped,” explains Karleigh.
Photography was a major time commitment for Karleigh in high school, and she was surprised with Wake’s relatively small amount of photography opportunities.
“I thought that there would at least be a photo club,” she says, “but maybe I’ll just have to start one.”
Nonetheless, one day one of Karleigh’s friends spotted her carrying her camera bag and introduced her to another Her Campus photographer. From there Karleigh’s talent took flight, and she began taking pictures for both Her Campus and the Old Gold and Black.
“I get to go places that I would never get to go and have met so many people that I would never have met otherwise,” she says. “And they are being profiled so you know they are cool!” She even landed a job recently taking engagement pictures for a woman who saw Karleigh’s pictures on Her Campus.
Karleigh describes herself as a very nostalgic person – one of the reasons she loves taking pictures. Looking back at the pictures she has taken allows her to relive past experiences and revisit old memories.
“I go through my Facebook albums all the time. On a bad day, looking back just makes me instantly happier,” she laughs.
Despite her amazing talent and love for the camera, Karleigh says she would never pursue a career in photography.
“I don’t want to have to struggle to make a sufficient profit like even many successful photographers have to do” she says. Though no matter what, “photography will always be a hobby.”
So, if you see a gorgeous, tall brunette with curly hair toting a camera bag, introduce yourself to Karleigh Ash and hope that maybe one day she will be snapping your picture.
*Photo credit: Karleigh Ash