We recently connected with AMY HUTCHESON and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, AMY thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is The Metal Maidens. Currently in our 23rd year and celebrating over 10 years of our annual calendar contest. This group for creative empowerment in the underground metal scene is one of my pride and joy. We are currently in the last leg of our annual calendar contest and model search. www.metalmaidens.org
AMY, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Being a Colorado native I grew up in Loveland, Colorado, where I still live today. I got into metal music when I was very young. My older brother showed me Slayer and Skinny Puppy at a very young age and after he passed away my love for metal and underground music thrived with the help of my cousins who all played in metal bands growing up. I grew up in the Colorado metal scene and I absolutely love how creative and diverse our beautiful state is. I loved photography from a very young age and often had my mother’s cameras with me. This is how I fell into photographing my cousin’s metal bands in Fort Collins area. When I turned 18 I started modeling and photographing models. My work quickly got noticed and we where asked if It could be used on some show poster’s for Uncle Nasty’s band Horse. From there the Metal Maidens and Resident Rock Star were born. With the Metal Maidens I really wanted to create an outlet that would allow ladies like myself to express themselves anyway they wanted to creatively without feeling exploited. At the same time, I saw a huge need for some self-care and self-esteem boosts in my pear group. I can’t tell you how many girls have come in front of my lens who’s lives where in turmoil or who’s self-esteem had been shattered by some horrible life experience. This Metal Maidens gave them a place to be themselves and to feel good about it. It’s a support group for bad asses. These ladies and gents have been through it all and they are still smiling and shining. I hope the Metal Maidens is a huge part of why they smile every day. I know it makes me smile when I think abut all the amazing women who have come through my life because of it.
Resident Rock Star is much the same, but it is more of a network or band aid system for creatives across the country. We believe that every band started somewhere so we want to support the Resident Rock Stars and Touring Rock Stars and creatives as the go from garage bands to household names. Even Metallica was just a garage band at one time.
Right now we are hosting our annual Metal Maidens Calendar contest and I can’t wait until this year’s calendar show! I have big plans and big news for everyone who attends. We also hope to highlight some awesome local female talent that have been kicking butt through the pandemic!
: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The goal or mission of my journey is to honor and capture the music and creative arts scene in our area. Along the way I hope to reward and highlight some amazing artists and creatives who are helping keep our arts scene alive during these trying times.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative I think is seeing people’s reactions to the images I create. Weather it be a portrait of themselves or a piece of artwork, I enjoy bringing smiles to people’s faces and showing them how beautiful they are to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.metalmaidens.org
- Instagram: residentrockstarphoto
- Facebook: rrsphoto amy hutcheson
- Twitter: rrsmagazine
- Other: www.residentrockstar.com
Image Credits
Photo of myself taken by Sheila Broderick Photography