Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ashley Lewis. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Ashley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?
I’m Ashley Lewis, a passionate artist and portrait photographer finding inspiration in the vibrant tapestry of the world around me, with a special focus on celebrating the beauty and resilience of females. My work is a celebration of the beauty and uniqueness of young women, expressed through colors and emotion.
As a former classroom teacher of 13 years, I’ve observed how girls are often torn down by their peers, forgotten by their love interests, and their self-esteem took a hit in the process. This personal experience is the driving force behind my artistic journey. I seek to empower and uplift the spirits of the females I photograph, allowing them to shine in all their unique brilliance.
Through the lens of my camera, I aim to capture the essence and the stories of these remarkable young women. Each photograph is a testament to the resilience and beauty often overshadowed by societal pressures and expectations. My portraits are a canvas upon which the strength, dreams, and identities of these women are celebrated.
As I travel, I’m continually moved by the incredible stories and experiences of the women who make up our world. These experiences are foundational to my creative process. The vibrant hues in my art reflect the kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences these females bring to life. My palette is an ode to the rich tapestry of womanhood, with each color representing a unique story, and each click of the shutter is a connection to the young women who inspire me.
Through my art, I aim to bridge the gap between societal expectations and individual identity. I believe empowering females and building their self-esteem is essential in a world where they’re often marginalized. By using my photography as a medium for connection and empowerment, I strive to break down the barriers that limit their potential. Every photograph attempts to convey shared experiences, dreams, and aspirations of the people on the other end of the lens, by helping them feel limitless.
In a world where women are often overlooked and underestimated, it’s my hope these portraits will inspire you to see beauty and possibilities in everyone, including yourself. Through my photographs and my unwavering commitment to celebrating our shared connections, I aspire to be a catalyst for change and a symbol of empowerment in a world that desperately needs it.
Ashley, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I have been taking pictures since I was 11 years old. My dad and stepmom bought me a Kodak and I remember spending so much money on film and development. As I got older, I bought a small point and shoot digital camera and began taking photos of my younger brother and my friends. When I was a freshman in college, I bought a used 35mm Olympus and spent every penny on rolls of black and white film. I went forward in college and graduated with a degree in Education and landed a job right out of school. Looking back, I should’ve gone to art school, but at the time, I had changed my major 3 times and had no idea what I wanted. I knew creativity had to be a part of it and teaching allowed that. During my career in the classroom, I wrote grants for classroom sets of digital cameras, taught my students how to shoot and organized community showcases. It felt amazing to pass my skills on to the next generation.
During this time, I had a child, sought out photography leaders that I knew I wanted learn from and eventually went to New York City to be mentored by a Street Photographer named James Maher. I felt that I finally had a grasp on the type of photography I wanted to pursue. After teaching for 13 years, I decided to make a go of photography full-time. I had recently given birth to my second child and it seemed like a good time to transition into something new. After a year of getting my business in place, I had a wild idea at 3am: what if I take these Arkansas girls and show them what’s outside of our state? I had spent a lot of time, before children, traveling across Europe and wanted to make sure my students knew there was more to the world than the Razorbacks and Walmart. I may had not been in front of students anymore, but I knew their struggles and their dreams. So I made a call that morning and asked a close friend if she thought this was a wild idea…..to take girls someplace they’ve never been, pick out their clothes, have somebody do their hair and makeup and then photograph them. Make them feel like they’re something, that they’re more than just a lanky girl or awkward teenager. She immediately said: this is amazing, I’ll help you do it. At that point, Destination Session was born and it became the most amazing ride with shoots in New York City, Los Angeles and Paris, France. Then Covid hit and that changed life for all of us, but Destination Session left a huge impact on those girls and my styling team, one we will never forget. I can confidently say that creating the Destination Session experience and seeing it through to multiple trips to NYC, LA and Paris was one of the proudest moments in my photography career.
In the midst of traveling and creating these experiences, I met Dani Diamond. Dani was an amazing portrait photographer from NYC and learning from him took my photography to the next level. I’ve noticed in my life that there’s this voice that says, “Ashley, you can do more and you can do better, go to the next level.” For this reason, I’m always seeking out those in the industry that are better than me, those that can offer me advice and I can learn from.
In 2023, I was invited to be on a stakeholders board for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, here in Northwest Arkansas. The focus of this board was to introduce photography to kids, underserved communities and those that don’t really know much about the field. This was very exciting to me because it allowed me to once again, work with kids and the community. What I didn’t anticipate was what came next.
In late 2022, it was announced that Annie Leibovitz would have an exhibit at Crystal Bridges. Alice Walton was friends with Annie (she had photographed Alice many times) and encouraged her to show off her anthology. When the curators asked Annie what she wanted out of this exhibit, she said she wanted to mentor teens and talk about her work, to inspire them to go further in their craft. In order to pull this off, she needed help. I, along with 2 others, was chosen to be one of these mentors with Annie. To say I was excited is an understatement. This was an opportunity of a lifetime and I jumped at it.
Just when I thought my time with the younger generation was quiet, it sprang back into my life and I couldn’t have been happier. I guess, ultimately, I was meant to be a creative and a teacher, just in a different way and luckily I was lucky enough for it to come back around, in the form of Annie Leibovitz and her vision.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is making other’s visions come to life. Everyone has a vision of themselves, others, a message….etc. You name it, there’s a view. I love looking at them through my lens or hearing their thoughts and creating something out of their words. or capturing an emotion during a session. I’m freezing a moment that can’t be given back and that’s truly amazing. It breathes hope into a world that can be so cruel sometimes.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My goal is simple: to help people see a version of themselves that they normally wouldn’t. To see the bigger picture.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ablewiscreative.com
- Instagram: ablewiscreative
- Facebook: Ashley B Lewis
- Linkedin: Ashley B. Lewis
Image Credits
All photographed by me