Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashlee Crouse.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Faith can sometimes feel hard to come by when life hands us uncertainty. My story is one that began in brokenness but has grown into something far greater than I could have ever planned on my own.
For years, I walked through seasons that tested my strength and my faith—seasons of loss, addiction, rebuilding, and rediscovering who I was in Christ. But through it all, God was working behind the scenes, turning my pain into purpose. He began to open doors for me to serve others through recovery and faith-based outreach across Tennessee, helping individuals and families find hope and healing. That work became the heartbeat of everything I do.
Then, a few months ago, God did something that reminded me He still writes stories bigger than our imagination. My husband, who owns an automotive shop, expanded his business into a new space. The old shop he had been using became available, and instead of letting it go, he looked at me and said, “It’s time for you to build your dream studio.”
At first, I laughed. The space was anything but glamorous—concrete floors, a roll-up door, and zero charm. But deep down, I knew God was stirring something. I prayed over it, wrote down names, crossed them out, and waited for confirmation. Then one day, a familiar verse settled in my heart:
“If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.” — Matthew 17:20
In that moment, I knew. The studio would be called The Mustard Seed Studios—a reminder that faith, no matter how small, can move mountains.
What began as a dusty old shop has now become a space filled with warmth, creativity, and purpose. I’ve hung drywall, painted murals, and laid flooring with my own hands—each step reminding me that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Today, The Mustard Seed Studios is not just a photography and podcast studio; it’s a faith-inspired creative space where stories are shared, healing begins, and dreams take root.
Through my photography brand Ashlee Marie Photography, my podcast Under Construction: Pain to Purpose™, and my work with recovery and faith-based initiatives, my mission is simple: to create spaces—physically and spiritually—where people can be seen, heard, and reminded that their story still matters.
Looking back, I see now that every season of uncertainty was preparation for this one. The mustard seed wasn’t just a name—it was a promise. A promise that even the smallest faith, when planted in God’s hands, can grow into something extraordinary.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7
Today, The Mustard Seed Studios stands as a living testimony that God doesn’t call the equipped—He equips the called. And if He can use my story to remind someone else that their mountain can move, then every struggle, every prayer, and every act of faith was worth it.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Not at all—and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The road to building The Mustard Seed Studios has been equal parts faith, hard work, and learning to trust God in the in-between.
When I first stepped into the space, it was far from what it is now. We’re talking unfinished walls, concrete floors, and a big roll-up garage door staring me in the face. I didn’t have a crew of contractors or a big renovation budget. What I did have was a vision, a lot of prayer, and a determination to build something meaningful from the ground up.
Most of the renovations I did myself—with some help from my husband when he could spare time from running his own business. There were nights I’d come home from my full-time job exhausted, then spend hours sanding drywall, painting walls, or laying flooring. On weekends, I’d haul décor, rearrange furniture, and create sets one corner at a time. It was physically draining at times and emotionally stretching in others, but it also became one of the most faith-building seasons of my life.
There were moments of doubt—times I wondered if I’d taken on more than I could handle or if I’d misheard what God was asking of me. But every time I hit a wall (sometimes literally), He showed up. Whether it was a friend dropping by to help, an unexpected donation, or a piece of décor that perfectly fit the space, God had a way of reminding me that I wasn’t building this alone.
Through scraped hands, sore muscles, and late nights filled with paint fumes and prayer, I learned that faith isn’t just believing—it’s building. It’s showing up day after day, even when you can’t yet see the finished product.
Today, when I walk through the studio, I see more than pretty walls and cozy décor—I see answered prayers. Every inch of this space tells a story of perseverance, obedience, and grace. It wasn’t a smooth road, but it was sacred ground every step of the way.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
At my core, I’m a storyteller. Whether it’s through photography, podcasting, writing, or community outreach, my passion is to capture and share stories that reflect hope, redemption, and purpose.
Through Ashlee Marie Photography, I specialize in lifestyle, branding, and family photography — but what truly drives me isn’t just creating beautiful images; it’s creating meaningful ones. Every session is an opportunity to freeze a moment in time, to remind people of their worth, and to reflect the beauty that exists even in life’s imperfect seasons. My approach is rooted in authenticity and connection — I want people to feel something when they look at a photo, not just see it.
That same heart flows into The Mustard Seed Studios, my creative faith-based studio designed to be more than just a backdrop. It’s a space where stories are told, dreams are nurtured, and community is built. The studio has multiple themed sets and an atmosphere that blends warmth and creativity — but what makes it special is the spirit behind it. Every detail was designed to remind people that faith, no matter how small, can move mountains.
I’m also the host of the podcast “Under Construction: Pain to Purpose™”, where real stories of struggle and transformation take center stage. It’s a space where faith meets vulnerability — a reminder that we are all a work in progress and that God often builds purpose out of our brokenness.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the projects themselves, but the people they’ve impacted. Seeing someone step in front of my camera and rediscover their confidence, or hearing that a podcast episode helped someone feel less alone — that’s the real reward.
What sets me apart, I believe, is that everything I create comes from a place of lived experience. My art isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about authenticity. I’ve walked through darkness and found light, and now I use my creativity as a vessel to help others do the same. My work is my worship — a reflection of God’s grace, creativity, and the truth that even the smallest seed of faith can grow into something extraordinary.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
f I had to choose one, I’d say faithful perseverance — the quiet, consistent kind that keeps you showing up even when the outcome isn’t clear.
For me, success has never been about numbers or recognition; it’s been about obedience — saying yes to what God places in front of me, even when I don’t feel qualified or ready. There were countless moments when I wanted to give up, when fear whispered that I wasn’t enough, or when exhaustion from juggling full-time work, motherhood, and building a studio by hand made me question everything. But it was in those moments that I learned the real meaning of faith — trusting that God was working behind the scenes, even when I couldn’t see the bigger picture.
Perseverance doesn’t always look glamorous. Sometimes it looks like late nights covered in paint, early mornings spent in prayer, or quietly believing that your small seed of effort will one day grow into something beautiful. It’s choosing to keep going, not because it’s easy, but because you know Who called you to it.
I think that’s what has carried me the most — an unwavering belief that purpose is born through the process. I don’t have it all figured out, and I fail plenty of times, but I’ve learned that if I stay faithful in the little things, God will handle the rest.
So, if there’s a quality that’s shaped my journey, it’s that steady combination of faith and perseverance — trusting the process, honoring the calling, and showing up with a willing heart even when the road is uncertain. Because when God plants the seed, our only job is to keep watering it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://themustardseedstudios.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579265529573
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashlee.marie.phot
- Other: https://ashleemarie-photography.com/
