An independent spirit

What motivates multi-faceted Florida-based photographer Ashton Ryan of ALR Imagery?

AN INDEPENDENT SPIRIT

Some artists are not easily pigeon-holed. Richard Plume finds out what motivates multi-faceted Florida-based photographer Ashton Ryan of ALR Imagery.

Portraits, weddings, music, events, commercial, landscapes, nude art. You seem to do the lot?

The worst advice I was ever given was to choose one genre of photography to specialise in. I am so happy I didn’t listen! I would have been limiting myself, saying ‘no’ to things that might not necessarily have felt right at the time, but which I have ultimately ended up loving. And if you want to earn a good living from photography, you sometimes have to be practical, and take the jobs that pay well. That has now given me the freedom to do the things I like.

One of which is nude photography?

When I established ALR in 2016, it was partly with the intention of offering clients the opportunity to enjoy their freedoms and try new experiences, uninhibited by what society might think or deem ‘appropriate.’ For some, that means a set of boudoir photos; for others, it's posing nude in the sunshine on top of a mountain. I’m all for encouraging others to strip themselves of their clothes, and delight in the joys of nudity.

And you’re a true naturist photographer, in that you’re also happy to get naked with them?

If they’re happy to allow me, or it helps them relax. I love being naked, and I love to shoot in nature. I am fortunate to live in a place [St. Augustine in north Florida] where there is an abundance of beautiful landscapes. I also have a full studio that I utilise, but find that I really just end up bringing so many natural elements inside, it’s almost silly to shoot there. I spend so much of my time exploring nature for new and beautiful shooting locations, and I am never disappointed with what our Earth has to offer us. While I do use some models, I love to shoot with women who have never been in front of the camera in this way. To see their faces light up as they review their images is a feeling that I will never tire of. I am so inspired by those who love their bodies, no matter the shape or size.

And nudity has never been a problem with you?

For as long as I can remember, I have felt comfortable and free to be who I am, and be naked, even though I didn’t meet anyone similar to myself until I was much older. As a kid, I never wore shoes, and spent most of my days outside, playing in the woods around my home. If it weren’t for my very modest parents, I would have been nude or at least topless most of the time, because where I grew up in central Florida, it’s hot pretty much all year round. While my parents could tell that I was an independent spirit, and did try to reign me in a bit, in fairness they really didn’t try to change me. They just showed me their own ways and probably hoped it would stick with me and I would eventually ‘grow up’ or grow out of it. As I ‘grew up’ however, I realised there was more than one way for humans to be, and I was always thankful for my free spirit and open mind as I went out into the world. I moved out as soon as I could because I didn’t feel all that understood at home, and loved to experience things in my own ways, without rules or constraints.

And how did you discover photography?

I always had a camera as a kid, and still to this day, I have entire trunks full of photo albums with images I captured from as young as age seven or eight. I dabbled in the modelling industry when I was young but didn’t dive in fully until I was around eighteen. I loved to be in front of the camera just as much as I loved to be the one shooting others. I was so fearless as a young adult, showing up to top-end photo shoots wearing nothing but high heels. I also loved traipsing around remote forests shooting nudes in nature; it quickly became a passion of mine, and I still love it just as much at 36. I guess I’ve never grown up!

It's a competitive industry.

Yes. But my love for photography has only grown over the years, and I always knew my life would revolve around it. My first professional camera was given to me by my boss at my first job at a local newspaper, and it’s by far one of the most cherished gifts I’ve ever received. Working for newspapers and magazines taught me so much, and helped push me into a career running my own photo and video business.

Where does the work mainly come from?

I shoot a lot of weddings these days, which is good fun. And often, I also work with the brides before the big day if they’ve asked me to create a set of boudoir images for their partners. These often open the door for women to explore their own freedoms further, and I now have quite a few clients who book a shoot with me several times a year, as a gift for themselves. It’s so rewarding to see the smiles and pure joy as they look at their images and videos of themselves being truly free.

And apart from repeat business?

Social media and word-of-mouth are the best modes of promotion these days. Most new people that I meet for shoots have been recommended by someone who worked with me and showed their own images to them. I share some images on social media, but I feel that any praise is so much better coming from an actual client. I submit some of my images to magazines and have been published a few times, but my heart truly is with the actual experience and the people that I meet and create with, not the plaudits. The feedback I receive from those who work with me is what fuels my fire and love for this work. While so many are thankful and grateful for their experience, I remind them always that they are the ones who had the courage to show up, and loved themselves first. I am merely capturing what already existed or showing them what they may not have seen yet.

And on your days off?

I was fortunate to get to know some awesome nude beaches and nudist resorts near me when I attended college, and I truly never realised how many people had never been exposed to this type of lifestyle. I felt bad for people who weren’t aware that it existed, and constantly dragged friends of mine to nude beaches, nude events and persuaded them to pose for my nude-in-nature photoshoots. My favourite local naturist beach (the place where I surf nude) is called Playa Linda, located within the Canaveral National Seashore on the East Coast of Florida. Arrive early to get a parking spot. It's so crowded these days, which is a little bit frustrating, as I always felt I had discovered it myself. On the other hand, it does make me happy that so many people have found a spot like this to be free. I know how exhilarating it feels to drive home after a day lounging in the sun and swimming in the sea wearing absolutely nothing. Even my parents might approve!