From Small
Beginnings

The story of 45th Pictures began not in a boardroom, but with our founder Ashton's childhood passion for telling stories through a camera. His professional journey started from the ground up as a “does-it-all” production assistant in Northern Michigan, learning every facet of the craft while putting himself through broadcasting school. This foundational period, rooted right here on the 45th parallel, gave our company its name and its grounded approach. Over the next decade, Ashton’s career crisscrossed Michigan and the West Coast, producing everything from high-energy live events to polished commercials, guided by incredible mentors and hardened by the realities of the business—the financial stress, long hours, and occasional failures that teach more than any success.

Through it all, one thing became clear: technical skill is essential, but strong intuition is what truly brings a story to life. 45th Pictures was founded on this belief. We are the culmination of that entire journey—the highs, the lows, and the invaluable experience earned along the way. We don't just create videos; we use our finely-tuned intuition to find the heartbeat of your story and share it with the world.