Her grandmother was Chipuwa and she grew up next to a reservation in Montana. Her dad taught her to hunt and her passion for Native American culture is how we arrived at this theme for her session. We used a beautiful leather outfit that she was gifted from her mother years ago and a head dress that was handed down. We pulled her bear down off the wall that she shot in Montana while hunting with her dad for the final touch. After the sun went down we moved the car and used the headlights as our only light.
From Ashley: “I asked one of my favorite photographers to capture my Native American Heritage. I’m a mut my family has always said. I have always had a spiritual connection to my Native American Heritage though. My Great Great Grandmother was a Chippewa woman. A very strong and living off the land kind of woman. Growing up in Montana I was taught to be the same. I have been hunting, fishing, planting vegetable, and canning food for as far back as I can remember. The Bear Rug featured in the images is my actual rug. By that I mean I hunted the bear and harvested it for my family when I was 13. I have also always used women of this culture as beauty inspirations. Their bold clothing, beautiful long dark hair, and deep in thought far off gazes captured in photos or illustrations covered the walls of my Mother’s house most of my life. The way these women are depicted is always Epic. Always Breathtaking. I can’t believe how well Kate Carlton from Kate’s Lens Photography understood my vision. I told her “old school Native American pin-up” but with a solid grounded connection to the earth. We knew it could be a little controversial, but we took on the challenge. Showing omage to a heritage and the spirit of its women was what we wanted and what we got! This was a once in a lifetime kind of shoot. Thank You Kate for bringing my vision to life. You are so gifted in your craft.”
Leave a Reply