Ashley Prikryl
Ashley Prikryl
Buyer / Stylist / Decorator / Photographer
Los Angeles, CA
www.ashleyprikryl.com
instagram @ashley.prikryl
instagram @tartlette_0_lo
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I’m a stylist and photographer. I enjoy curating objects, capturing the unseen & working alongside designers & other creatives to tell a story.”
Sometimes I work directly with decorators or designers and curate the pieces they need. If I have a different role, such as decorator or stylist; I piece together the space myself. I also prop style for product and table top shoots. In the past I've worked with jewelry or smaller decorative items, occasionally food is involved (sometimes with a food stylist). I'm good at putting together a story based on character, color or texture.
WHAT STEPS DID YOU TAKE TO GET TO WHERE YOU ARE NOW?
After studying photography at the Columbus College of Art and Design, I decided to uproot to Los Angeles and pursue a career that combined my love for photography and the arts. It was there that I found my passion for art direction and story telling and began to take on projects that allowed me to curate objects and express my creativity while working in film & tv. Having nearly a decade of experience in the motion picture industry, I realized Los Angeles had given me a gift. I had gained knowledge in myself and how I could combine all my passions to broaden my professional career.
Combining my passion for photography and my career in production, I began to shoot still life and food in my tiny kitchen I had converted into a studio in North Hollywood, CA. This is when I understood how story telling through props in motion picture and being a buyer had trained me to be detail oriented while styling for still shoots. Branching out into the world of photography, pursuing styling, I have had the experience of working in both the commercial and fine art worlds.
My love for story telling through objects, color theory, functionality in design and the arts is something I manifest in my work. I enjoy collaborating with other photographers, stylists and creatives to push boundaries and make beautiful things. Grateful for my experiences with prop assisting and being a buyer in motion picture, I look forward to building my connections and clients in the print/ commercial world while maintaining my running credits on IMDB.
How do you stand out in your field?
I'm incredibly hard working, honest and I hustle. I know that nothing is ever just handed to me, so I push myself to work outside my comfort zone. I'm always striving to do better and grow both in my professional network and for myself. I try to stay grounded. I've been told I make people feel comfortable because I am easily relatable. My creativity enables my strengths when it comes to executing what is needed during a job.
WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON RIGHT NOW?
I am currently working on growing my network and putting myself in situations creatively where I'm meeting new people in my field and trying to push my work to new heights.
WHAT'S YOUR STYLE/PERSPECTIVE/TASTE? DO YOU HAVE A PROJECT THAT REPRESENTS THIS?
My style is a collaboration of visual and aural inspiration. If I were to describe what inspires me aesthetically I'd use words like; edgy, moody, niche, unique, counter culture, deviance, non typical, rich, dark, elegant, progressive, relatable, fantastical & stylized. I'm inspired by specific film, tv, art, fashion, design, music, friends, cultures and experiences. I enjoy the inspirational works of David Lynch, Sophia Coppola, Gideon Ponte, Grant Cornett, Maurizio Cattelan, Amy Chin, Toiletpaper Magazine, Gather Journal, Sophie Leng, Nicholas Winding Refn, Anna Biller, Wes Anderson, Darren Aronofsky, Rembrandt, Degas, Vermeer & Cliff Martinez. I would say the work I've done that ties all of these references together would be my "Moody Fruit" photo series. You can see bits and pieces of that in the "food styling" section of my website.
Aside from inspiration, I always like to stay humble and be true to myself.
WE ARE ALL SLASHIES WITH MULTIPLE SKILLS, WHICH ONE DO YOU WISH YOU COULD DO MORE OFTEN?
Right now I feel like I'm laser focused on styling and decorating. I'm looking to collaborate and work with photographers, art directors and other stylists. Dually, I would like to find collectors and designers that may be able to use my photography in the right space.
WHAT IS FRUSTRATING YOU RIGHT NOW?
Explaining what it is that I do to people that I'd like to work with. Also, keeping my confidence up during times that don't work out how I'd like them to.
IF YOU COULD HIRE SOMEONE FOR $20/HR, WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THEM DO TO MAKE YOUR DAY EASIER?
Honestly, I would ask them to take care of my dog, clean my apartment, do my laundry. Maybe listen to me occasionally when I'm needing an ear. Lol, so like a therapist...
LET'S BRING OUT THE TIME MACHINE. WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU COULD HAVE TOLD YOURSELF, WHEN, AND WHY?
I would've told myself to turn right, instead of left. Make conscious decisions about my career based on what feels right and propels me creatively opposed to operating in fear of what may or may not come next.
I'm glad for all my professional experiences, but I'd say to walk through that fear if it means I'm doing something I really love.
IF YOU COULD TALK TO AN EXPERT TO GAIN MORE INSIGHT ON SOMETHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE ABOUT?
I would probably ask someone who inspires me what their key to success in their life is/was. Also, I would ask them how they keep their calm in times that feel chaotic and uncertain. How they keep their head up in times that crush their confidence. How they stay true to themselves and humbled. How they feel they battle their ego in their personal as well as professional work.
WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITIES/PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
I am looking to expand my commercial client list and body of work in any form of media.
I want to work with people who appreciate progressive creatives and thinkers and I want to make really interesting and beautiful art. Whether it's a test shoot, collaboration or a day(s) on set, I'd love to help clients and brands feel good about their business.
I'd love to manifest a tribe and gain knowledge and experience in refining my skill set.
DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL JOB/CLIENT/COLLABORATION.
Recently I decorated a commercial for Hulu. I was able to work with a designer I admired. When I was on the job I visited prop houses and curated pieces from "Little Bohemia", "Modernica" and "Nest". Each of these places speak to my own personal style for different reasons. It was a great experience because I was able to create beautiful spaces that allowed me to express myself and have a creative voice. Because our team shared love for that specific aesthetic, there wasn't a lot I had to compromise to make everyone happy. I felt respected for my creative opinions and liked that I had a visual voice that was appreciated.
WHAT IS YOUR HOURLY RATE, RETAINER, OR SALARY RANGE?
My rate is determined by my role and work flow. Whether it's hourly or daily, it's always negotiable. Send me the deets!
HOW SHOULD SOMEONE APPROACH YOU ABOUT WORKING TOGETHER?
I love that in the examples of how to answer this question, "hilarious GIF" is used as an actual approach. I've never had that happen, but I kind of love it. I'm good with texting, emailing or calling. I'm adaptable and have been approached a variety of ways. I'm fairly direct so I don't mind if someone is very specific; dates, client, job description, hours, rate...
Other times I've been asked my availability first and we move forward from there.
I really enjoy collaborating and testing with other artists, so feel free to reach out! Let's make art!
HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
Feed your hunger, but keep your teeth sharp.
This member profile was originally published in May 2018.