Women at Work: Ashley St George

Posted on 11 February, 2019

I remember first meeting Ashley when she was an intern in the HerCanberra office many years ago. 

In fact, she was the second intern ever we brought on board (the first being myself), and it’s safe to say she set the bar high.

Now an established food photographer, you’ve probably seen her colourful shots and smiling face around town, capturing everything from Canberra’s newest restaurants to the perfect croissant cross-section.

I caught up with Ash to chat morning rituals, iced lattes and an exciting collaboration with the National Multicultural Festival.

Tell us how you started out as a photographer?

I started getting into photography when I was in high school. My Dad and I would actually shoot weddings of family friends together! He isn’t a photographer by profession but took it up as a hobby when he was young. Shooting weddings was fun father-daughter bonding.

My elderly neighbour gave me their old 35mm film camera to play with, and I used this through college which luckily had a dark room for me to develop my own photographs. This really kicked off my love of the medium as I loved getting a deep understanding of the process.

Baby Su. Credit: Ashley St George.

Can you describe your photography style in three words?

Emotive, relaxed, Gourmet-Traveller-esque.

What do you love working with most – food or people?

Hmm both… I can’t decide. I am really into cooking so I love getting up close and personal with the dishes I’m photographing.

On the other hand, I love the process of photographing a person or people, so that in one image it can convey something about them, whether it’s their personality, their emotions or hobbies.

Lazy Su. Credit: Ashley St George.

What does it mean for you to work with the National Multicultural Festival on their upcoming cookbook?

I am so, so excited. I love cookbooks – so much, in fact, I needed to build another shelf in my tiny apartment so that they would all fit. To be able to help in the process of making one is something I’ve been wanting to do for ages.

I’ve been busy gathering props to use for the recipe photographs. Anything from fabrics with an African vibe to Chinese soup spoons that will bring in an element of the country that the food is from.

Pilot. Credit: Ashley St George.

What is the most exciting part about photographing food?

I love making something look as delicious it can. Sometimes that’s hard as not all food looks good… but trying to get the bits that look crunchy, or oozy, or silky so that the mouth starts to water and it makes people want to eat it – that’s the fun part.

What’s do you have in store for 2019?

My partner Rohan Thomson, who is also a photographer, and I are combining our photography forces to start a business together! It will be called Pew! Pew!, so expect to see us around shooting anything from food and restaurants, to corporate headshots and exhibition installations.

Trecento. Credit: Ashley St George.

Coffee or tea?

Iced latte. Even in the depths of Canberra winter, an iced-latte is my go-to.

What is your morning ritual?

Mornings are my favourite time of the day so you’ve asked the right person.

Wake up 5.45am, literally jump out of bed, go to yoga, have a post-yoga coffee catch up with my yoga crew (the most important part of the morning ritual), muesli for breakfast, then 30 mins of admin otherwise I would drown under a mountain of emails and finally editing or shooting or planning.

Bar Rochford. Credit: Ashley St George.

Who would you love to photograph, dead or alive?

My family – I love getting super natural, beautiful photos of my grandparents, parents, brother and my large extended family. They’re so lovely to have and be able to cherish.

Follow Ashley’s photography on her Instagram. Feature image: Rohan Thomson.