Aura Photography: Tampa Bay Entrepreneur Launches Mobile Studio

Three years ago, Lauren Ashley stood in a line at a tech conference in San Francisco, waiting for a photo that would change her career path. She had just attended a design event where Google hired photographers to use special equipment to capture human energy fields. The experience left an impression that would eventually lead her to launch a new mobile business in St. Petersburg.

Ashley, who works as a user experience designer for a software company, attended that conference nearly three years ago. Google had contracted several photographers to use special cameras to capture the auras of attendees. After receiving her own image, Ashley asked for an interpretation of the colors. The photographers explained they were only there to take pictures and provided a basic list of color descriptions.

That moment sparked a realization for Ashley, who describes herself as spiritual or witchy. She said she was shocked that no one was offering this service locally. The question became whether this was her calling. While she enjoys her current job designing web interfaces, the rise of artificial intelligence in the tech industry made her seek more human connection in her professional life.

Ashley spent time researching auras and chakras, the seven main energy points in the body. She became master certified in Reiki, a hands-on energy healing practice. She also researched the specific technology required for the work. She chose the AuraCamera 6000, an analog instant film camera that is the oldest and most popular in the industry.

The camera was a major financial commitment. Ashley did not specify the exact cost but noted that the price tag was high enough to be a major life decision. She mulled over the purchase for two years. She finally bought the camera in May and launched Stellar State Aura Photography at the same time.

The camera was first developed by Guy Coggins in the 1970s. It is based on chakra colors and is designed to represent which energy centers are blocked or open. Twenty years of research went into determining how the colors appear on the photo. The device measures the subject's body temperature, heart rate, and other biometric factors using hand sensors.

Ashley explained that the camera reads the meridian endpoints in the hands. She said the meridian system carries chi, or life force energy. The photo is an illustration of that current energy through biofeedback from the palms. There are no bad aura colors, she noted. A rainbow aura is considered ideal because it indicates all chakras are present. The placement of colors around the body carries specific meanings.

Auras can change based on physical or mental states. Ashley said her own aura is consistently mostly the same. She is usually red and purple, sometimes with blue and yellow. After an hour of meditation or a massage, she reports showing up as rainbow or almost rainbow. Her aura photos come in a card that explains the meanings of the colors. For an extra cost, she provides a personal reading to make clients feel seen.

Stellar State frequently pops up at metaphysical stores Ace of Cups and Spellcrafter in St. Petersburg. The owners have taken Ashley under their wing. She also takes the business to private events. She has traveled to Richmond, Virginia, and California. She was surprised to find no resident aura photographer in the San Diego area. She is filling that void there as well.

Clients often open up during sessions, revealing deeply personal details. Ashley said she thrives on that human connection. She believes people are primed for it. She said the world has been in shambles for a period of time, forcing people to look within. As a collective, people seem to be starting to heal themselves. In turn, that healing helps heal the planet and the world. For more information, the business is available at instagram.com/stellarstateaura.