Ashley Dobson stays at Bushy Summers
“I’ve always dreamt of staying
at Bushy Summers. It is honestly
a dream location.”
We love that Bushy Summers has become a refuge for creatives, a place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of normal life, to reconnect to self and practice in nature.
Over the summer we had the pleasure of hosting travel photographer, Ashley Dobson in our little black shack and I photographed her and her partner Alex during their stay. Read on to find out more about her work, why she loves Bushy and future plans.
Where are you from?
I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States. Home of football, beer and cheese (mainly deep-fried haha)!
Where do you call home?
It will always be Australia. At the moment home is in Northside Brisbane. I really would love to live in Tasmania for some part of my life.
What bought you to Australia?
My dad is Australian and I’ve been very lucky to come to Australia since I’ve been 10 years old. I’ve always been back and forth between Aus and the US. When I was 20 I received my dual citizenship and decided to take the full leap and move here permanently. What really inspired me to make the move to Australia was the Great Barrier Reef. I fell in love with he beauty of the ocean and I decided to take the path of Marine Biology and study at JCU in Townsville. Funny enough, that path lead me to where I am today and I will be forever grateful.
Describe yourself
An ADHD adventurous creative. My mind is always wandering and thinking about the next thing. I really try and embrace slow living when I’m not travelling. I love morning coffees at home, hanging with my dog Rusty, and enjoying those little moments in the everyday.
Your loves your hopes and a bit about your work
I am a travel and lifestyle Photographer. I create imagery for brands and tourism boards for promotional purposes. I also share the brands that I love and experiences on my social media. I hope that I can continue doing what I do and inspire people to go out and explore.
What started you on the path of exploration?
I guess you could say my visits to Australia at a young age really sparked my inner wanderlust. I learned very quickly that there is so much more out there in the world to explore. I will be forever grateful for my experiences as a young kid that made me who I am today.
Something you would like to achieve in your life?
I just want to be well traveled, happy and healthy… what else could you want? The dream would be to build a shipping container house on a block of land surrounded by beautiful bush with our Kelpie and our future pet ducks.
What on your journey is important to you?
To have balance with my work and being in the moment. This can be very hard sometimes because I almost always want to capture the moment but it is really important to enjoy the moment as well.
What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from nature and travel. I love visiting new places that I’ve never been before and experiencing new things. My inner creativity comes out.
What is your favourite sense or senses and how does it fit into your daily life?
The smell of the salty sea or the smell of the rain. Those two smells really put my mind at ease and my mood instantly goes into relaxation and happy mode. If I’m ever feeling down or need some time to balance myself out, the ocean always seems to help.
What made you choose Bushy Summers as a place to stay?
I’ve always dreamt of staying at Bushy Summers. It is honestly a dream location. It’s very The Notebook vibes.
Describe the experience for you
My experience at Bushy was so magical. You literally have no worries in the world and the most beautiful slow mornings. First things first, you go outside and and you’re instantly welcomed by the coolest ducks. Go make a cuppa, toast up some fresh sourdough bread, spread some local butter and eat breakky with the most amazing view. I mean... what else could you want? I can’t wait to come back!
What drives you?
The biggest reward that I get with my job is being able to inspire people to get out of their comfort zone and explore places that they’ve never been. It is the best feeling when I get messages saying that I’ve inspired them to go somewhere or do something. It is literally why I do what I do.
Where are you heading off to next?
Well! Queensland international border just opened up so I’m hoping to go overseas in the next few months. So exciting! Hawaii is in the talks at the moment but we will see!
CREDITS
Photography & Words - Claire Lloyd
Follow Ashley on Instagram
Ashley’s website
Book your stay at Bushy Summers