RESUME + REFERENCES

EXPERIENCE

Valley Catholic High School  |  Photography and Fine Arts Teacher

Beaverton, OR • 2024 – Present
I develop and teach high school photography courses, creating a curriculum that balances technical skills, artistic expression, and industry relevance. My lessons cover composition, lighting, digital editing, and visual storytelling while incorporating fine arts principles to expand students’ creative perspectives. I design hands-on projects encouraging experimentation, critical thinking, and real-world photography applications. In addition to teaching, I write and refine curriculum to ensure students gain a strong foundation in traditional and modern photographic techniques, preparing them for creative careers and personal artistic growth. https://ssmo.org/vcs/

Ashlan Taylor Creative + Portland Birth Stories | Freelance Creative

Portland, OR  •  2013  – Present
I run a freelance creative business specializing in branding, photography, and visual strategy. My work includes developing brand identities, marketing materials, UX/UI design, and content creation for businesses and agencies across various industries. I have led teams of designers, developers, and copywriters, managing projects from concept to execution.

In addition to design and strategy, I have built a successful photography business, including Portland Birth Stories, where I document maternity, birth, and newborn experiences with a focus on storytelling and brand-aligned imagery. My freelance work has strengthened my expertise in client management, project coordination, and delivering high-quality creative solutions that meet business objectives. https://www.portlandbirthstories.com/

Riff Creative Agency | Senior Designer

Vancouver, WA • 2022 – 2024
Led creative direction for branding, content creation, print and packaging design, and marketing campaigns. Developed strategic, people-centric design solutions tailored to diverse clients, ensuring a balance of aesthetics and functionality. Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams to create engaging, market-ready brands that align with current industry trends while maintaining long-term relevance. https://riff.agency/

Yardi Systems, Inc.  | Graphic Designer

Santa Barbara, CA •  2012  – 2014
Created a wide range of marketing materials, including ads, brochures, emails, logos, websites, direct mail, event signage, and promotions using Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver) along with HTML and CSS. Maintained corporate branding standards while staying aligned with design trends. Managed multiple high-volume projects under tight deadlines, focusing on graphic creation, resizing for ads and trade shows, photo retouching, typography, and color correction. Problem-solved creative challenges both independently and within a team. https://www.yardi.com/

Federal Reserve System  | Senior Graphic Designer

Philadelphia, PA  •  2008  – 2011
Providing Graphic Design solutions for all departments of the Federal Reserve, including (but not limited to) exhibit/museum, teaching material, report books, conference and event design, and in-house magazines with the use of Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver, HTML, CSS. I also worked directly with the web developer and UI/UX during the intranet redesign. I managed the in-house photography studio, attended press checks when necessary, and was responsible for presenting clients with concept work through the final approval of projects. The position required the management of multiple clients and project deadlines simultaneously. Day-to-day duties strongly emphasized graphic creation, photo retouching, typography, and color correction. Projects required problem-solving and various creative challenges, both on a team and/or individually. https://www.philadelphiafed.org/

Dugan Media Group  | Art Director

 San Luis Obispo, CA •  2007  – 2008
Provided content design structure, editorial layout and advertising design needs of monthly publication schedules for Dugan Media Group magazines. Managed writers and content providers and was in constant communication with our sales team. Daily use of Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop. I demonstrated awareness of current design trends while adhering to consistent branding policies for each publication. Day-to-day duties had a strong emphasis on graphic creation, resizing, photo retouching, and typography, as well as team and time management. The position required problem-solving challenging spatial issues and ensuring all publication deadlines were consistently met by the team.

New Times Media Group  | Editorial Designer

 San Luis Obispo, CA •  2006  – 2008
Provided design layout for content structure, editorial layout, and advertising design needs while meeting strict weekly deadlines of both publications as well as all special release publications for the New Times and Sun newspapers. Daily use of Adobe Creative Suite: InDesign, Photoshop, and occasional Quark Express. I demonstrated awareness of current design trends while adhering to consistent branding policies for each publication. Day-to-day duties strongly emphasized graphic creation, resizing, photo retouching, and typography. The position required problem-solving challenging spatial issues and ensuring all publication deadlines were met consistently.

EDUCATION

MSc Marketing (Consumer Behaviour)

University of Leicester
Leicestershire, England  • Graduated (with Merit) 2016

BA Graphic Design & Photography

Kingston University
Surrey, England. •. Graduated (with Honors) 2005

Art Foundation / AS Level Photography

Swindon College of Art & Design
Wiltshire, England  •. Graduated 2002