Let me tell you about my friend Samantha—Messy Momma, storyteller, chaos-embracer, and one of the fastest rising photographers in our area. But more than that—she’s a woman I’ve had the honor of calling a friend for over a decade.

We didn’t start as photographers. Years ago, she was my hair and makeup artist. The girl with the sparkle in her eye and a kit full of lashes, dry shampoo, and magic. She’d show up early, stay late, and hype the hell out of everyone around her. Our friendship grew, the kind where if you dont talk all the time thats ok you can pick back up where you started. Then I moved to Hampshire, and somehow life kept finding ways to keep us close. Our oldest kids had a crush on each other. Her youngest and my boys became inseparable.

To say we have a lot in common is an understatement—we raised kids side-by-side, built businesses from scratch, and navigated some of the hardest years of our lives… together.

To say we have a lot in common is an understatement—we raised kids side-by-side, built businesses from scratch, and navigated some of the hardest years of our lives… I confided in her about my struggles while they were happening and she never judged me. She Saw my glow up and now I am seeing hers.

Samantha always had the eye. That unteachable skill of seeing beauty in imperfection. But like many moms, she doubted herself before anyone else ever did.

She decided one day she wanted to follow her passion slowly getting her feet wet. I told her to assist me in a wedding “I had already purchased my gear… I was supposed to assist another photographer who ended up getting sick. I reached out to Ashley, and instead of just giving me a task, she encouraged me to dive in, start learning, and really go for it.”

Samantha didn’t need a push—she needed a launchpad. And that’s what I gave her. Because I already knew what she was capable of. I saw the fire before she felt the heat. She just needed some tough love from this messy momma but in a different way. By no means am I claiming any credibility of her journey but this is our story together.

“She believed in me and in the Messy Momma idea I had been dreaming about. She saw it in me before I fully saw it in myself.”

That quote? I’ll carry that one with me forever.

Here’s a little back story on this baddie….

In November 2020, Samantha officially launched Messy Momma Memories. By February 2021, she was working out of her first studio—which we both were at the Dole Mansion.

“Since then, little by little, I have built this dream into a real, full-fledged business… I now have my own beautiful studio inside the Starline Factory.”

But what’s wild is this was never just about photography. She always had a vision similar to mine but jusssst a little bit different.

“Starting this business gave me a second chance at getting to know myself outside of being a mom… I found joy in the little things again—like learning what clothes I love, exploring my own interests, and even redecorating my home to reflect my personality.”

Do you know what it takes for a woman to come back to herself after years of being buried under roles? It’s not easy. But Samantha made it her mission. Women hold so much guilt for finding themselves again. I see it daily.

And this shoot—this playful, soap-slicked, Americana dream of a boudoir session—it wasn’t about sexy. It was about freedom. It was about joy. And hard work. And celebration. We celebrated her the way I know how.

“When Ashley finally photographed me… it was so much more than just a fun shoot. It was a celebration of confidence, growth, eighty pounds of hard work, and everything this journey has brought me.”

Yes, you read that right—eighty pounds. Not just weight loss. Emotional release. Shedding. Healing. Rebuilding.

“Sexy is definitely not in my wheelhouse,” she joked. “But give me a sponge and some suds and I can rock playful and adorable all day long.”

We weren’t faking it. This wasn’t performance. It was power—clean, chaotic, beautiful power.

And the impact hasn’t stopped with her.

“One of the proudest moments of my journey was when my husband told me I was truly thriving… because of the success of my business, he was able to leave his second job and buy into the carpentry company he had worked for since he was sixteen years old.”

Let that sink in. Her business didn’t just transform her—it transformed her family. Her husband. Her kids. Her community.

And this is where it gets even more raw.

“The heart of Messy Momma Memories has always been about more than just pretty pictures. The Messy Momma Movement was inspired by my own experience as a new mom. I felt immense pressure to parent a certain way and found myself in constant comparison… I wanted to change that narrative and help moms feel empowered and supported instead of criticized.”

Because truthfully? Most moms don’t get to be in the photo. Most moms don’t feel seen. They’re behind the scenes, carrying the weight, making the snacks, handling the mess. This is so true and if you are really reading this I am sure you can agree. .

What Sam and I are doing is not just snapping a shutter—we are rewriting the narrative for so many moms who’ve felt invisible for far too long.

“Throughout this journey, I have made lifelong friendships with other photographers and clients who have shared their stories and struggles with me… I have bonded with clients over stories of infertility, loss, and the challenges of motherhood.”

A little bit more of some of Samanthas passions and awesomeness.

She’s donated her time. Partnered with incredible organizations like Gigi’s Playhouse, Impact 100, Women in Philanthropy, and the Community Foundation of McHenry County. She’s given back to schools, families, and women who needed someone to say, I see you. I hear you. Let me show you who you are.

And on this day, it was my turn to return the favor. I was able to do what she does for others… and that right there is MY why and MY superpower.

“Ashley made me feel strong, beautiful, and completely seen.”

and a little end note to you my friend:

Samantha, I’ve watched you grow from the girl who doubted herself to the woman running her own damn show. I’ve seen your heart in motion. I’ve seen you pour into others while still figuring yourself out. I’ve seen you let motherhood mold you—but not erase you. And I will always, always be proud of the artist, mother, friend, and firestorm you’ve become.

You are not just behind the lens anymore. You are the moment.

So go get messy ! more women are remembering that playful is powerful. And you? You’re the proof. Love you friend