Behind the Lens: My Conversation with NPR Illinois
There are certain moments in your career that make you stop and think, Wow… is this really happening?
Being invited to sit down with NPR Illinois was one of those moments for me.
Before our family moved back home to Texas and I began this new chapter of Ash Norstrom Photography | ANP Studios in Austin, I had the incredible opportunity to be interviewed by Jeff Curtis Williams with NPR Illinois 91.9 UIS.
As someone who is much more comfortable behind the camera than being the one in the spotlight, I’ll admit—I was nervous! But once we started talking, those nerves quickly turned into gratitude.
We talked about my journey as a photographer, my work, and the creative process behind the portraits I create. Photography has never been just about taking a pretty picture for me. I love creating something imaginative and artistic—portraits that capture childhood while also turning it into a little bit of magic.
From whimsical birthday portraits and elaborate Dream Dress sessions to the tiny details of a brand-new baby, so much of my work is centered around creating an experience and telling a story.
From Illinois to Austin
Illinois will always hold an incredibly important place in the story of ANP Studios.
It’s where I spent years growing my business, refining my style, meeting so many wonderful families, and watching little clients grow up in front of my camera. Some families trusted me to photograph milestone after milestone, and those relationships became one of the most meaningful parts of running my business.
Having my work and story recognized by NPR Illinois as that chapter of my career was coming to a close made the experience even more special.
And then, almost immediately afterward, life changed in a very big way.
Our family packed up and moved to Austin, Texas.
Coming back to Texas has been something we wanted for a long time, and getting to bring ANP Studios with me feels like both a fresh start and a continuation of everything I built in Illinois.
A New Chapter for ANP Studios
Today, I’m creating from my home studio in Steiner Ranch, where I’m focusing primarily on the work I love most: newborns and children.
Whimsical birthday portraits and Dream Dress sessions remain some of my absolute favorites. I love watching a child walk into the studio, see the gowns and sets, and realize that—for a little while—the entire experience is about them.
I’m also continuing to photograph newborns, with a curated studio collection of wraps, props, backdrops, and all the tiny details needed to create timeless portraits of those first fleeting days.
My studio may be in a new state, but the heart behind my work hasn’t changed.
One for the Memory Book
Being featured on NPR Illinois is something I’ll always be proud of—not simply because my name or business was featured, but because it gave me an opportunity to reflect on how far this little photography business has come.
What started with a camera and a love of creating has grown into years of beautiful families, published work, incredible opportunities, and now an entirely new chapter here in Austin.
To every family who trusted me with their babies, their children, their milestones, and their memories while I was in Illinois: thank you. You helped build ANP Studios into what it is today.
And to Austin…
I can’t wait to see what we create next. 🤍
