Ashley Kickliter

Issue 006 featured artist Ashley Kickliter talks about what its like to be an artist in Birmingham

ACM: Can you explain briefly who you are and what you do for our readers?

Ashley: I am a photographer from Alabama that recently dove into photography as my full time career. I started taking photos around the age of 15 and haven’t stopped since.

ACM: How did you first get into creating art?

Ashley: My parents really supported me trying any and all forms of art since I was little. They believed it was a great way to express myself. I did painting classes, I was into ceramics for a year or so, I designed wedding gowns by collaging my favorite pieces from magazines, I took portrait drawing classes - really tried it all. It wasn’t until 10th grade that I picked up a camera. Things really shifted for me in high school - I took AP Art and all the graphic design classes that were offered. I got my first ‘real’ camera that year and began staging photoshoots with my friends. I really never put my camera down since. It all blossomed from there.

ACM: How does living in Birmingham shape your art if it does at all?

Ashley: Being in Birmingham has been a transitional year in general for me. I moved to Birmingham from Atlanta and it’s definitely a change of pace. Mostly, being back in a city in Alabama reminds me of how passionate I am about capturing the South in a different light and highlighting all the beautiful people and things here. I want to be apart of changing the way everyone perceives the work being produced from the state of Alabama.

ACM: What is the art community like in Birmingham?

Ashley: Because I left my job and decided to go full time freelance when I moved to Birmingham, I haven't gotten greatly involved in the art community in Birmingham. Transitioning from a 9-5 lifestyle to working for yourself has just taken me time to figure things out. And I think a lot of time by myself - figuring out how to manage my time efficiently and remain in general really happy and not burnt out. I hope to get more involved soon. I know there is a really special community exploding with talent in Birmingham.

ACM: Do you fee like the art community is growing in Birmingham? and what do you think it will add to the city?

Ashley: Definitely!I think the art community is playing one of the biggest roles in pushing the city forward! With the rise of film productions coming to Birmingham, I think it’s given many people in the community new opportunities that is adding to the growth and creativity in the city.

ACM: What do you feel like Birmingham lacks, in terms of spaces/opportunities for artists?

Ashley: I would love to see more affordable community or co-working spaces specifically for young creatives. I’d love to see a community darkroom happen.

ACM: What to you are the hardest/most rewarding parts of being a freelance photographer in Birmingham?

Ashley: For me, when trying to land jobs outside of the South, I think sometimes when they hear I’m based in Alabama it can throw them off. I really like to use that in my favor, like I said, and change people’s perspectives on work coming from the South. A lot of times, it’s refreshing to them. However, there’s been a few times where people hear Alabama and think it’s so far and don’t have the budget to fly me out or it’s just easier to hire someone closer to the client. I know being in cities like LA or NYC is sometimes easier to grab opportunities just because of the convenience of location. But, you can’t let that be your focus. Being in Alabama, feels like an even bigger challenge, working with what we have around us. That’s the exciting part to me.

ACM: Your work tends to have a distinct style, how did you discover your style and what are some of your major inspirations?

Ashley: Films really changed everything to me. David Lynch has been a huge inspiration for me - I submersed myself in learning everything about him and his creative processes. I can also remember the first time I watched this film by Wim Wenders, “Paris, Texas” and it completely shifted the way I look at light and color. That was in 2016. Quality of light is everything for my work and I knew after watching films how crucial lighting is to set the right mood or convey the story your after to your viewers. I started keeping a notebook or voice memos as I would watch films writing down any ideas that came to me or techniques I’d love to try - anything. I became completely obsessed with watching movies in a way not really for entertainment - but watching them for how they could support my creativity and approach to photography. I love to challenge myself by guessing how scenes are lit or what they did in post to create a certain coloring or mood. It’s a great way to learn - I could study stills from films all day everyday.

ACM: What is your favorite part of creating an image?

Ashley: It’s hard to say just one thing. When creating photos of people, my favorite part is how this medium can make someone feel. When one of my photographs make someone feel good about themselves, there’s nothing better. When I’m not creating portraits, I think my favorite part still has something to do with human connection. Finding that link in the image you’re creating with someone else, maybe a stranger, where the setting or the light or colors or the subject’s emotion makes them feel something - something they can relate to. Or maybe makes them forget for a moment where they are. I do love creating an escape for people when creating images.

ACM: Does color theory play a huge role in your art or are your color pairings instinctual?

Ashley: Instinctual, I suppose. Pairing colors is totally a feeling thing for me. And sometimes I can’t articulate why certain colors aren’t working or they are. And when they aren’t, I push them in post until they do become just right. I never settle and always give my eyes time to recalibrate. Letting my work sit for a bit and coming back with fresh eyes plays a huge role in how I approach coloring in post.

ACM: Does traveling grow you as an artist and change your work in any way?

Ashley: Absolutely. For the most part, a change of scenery just gives me a boost. It feels like a reset for me on a human level which plays a role into what I create. It’s easy to find yourself in a rut and traveling is one of the best ways to bring yourself out of one. I try to be really present when traveling though, not behind a camera all the time...I learned that the tough way once when I went to Paris for the first time and at the end of the first day I realized I didn’t really remember anything we did - because I was so focused on capturing the city the whole day. Putting the camera down when traveling and really absorbing the different surroundings is important to me. It’s a tough balance though.