Ashley Mathena

I enjoy various forms of art but only photography has given me a connection not only with others but also with myself. I was first introduced to photography at a young age, I loved it because it made me view the world differently, but as I was discovering who I was I forgot about the world of photography until I got to high school and took a class. After that I knew photography was what I wanted to do with my life. During high school, I used photography as a means to escape my life for a moment, to take a breath and focus on something else. Now I use photography to tell my truth, to bring awareness about medical conditions, to show how I feel so others don't feel like their alone and to document what I see. I was never good at communicating how I feel, but because of photography I can show what I'm feeling in a moment and talk about it. I believe in photographing things that aren't always beautiful but are relatable, it is how I am able to form a connection with others, myself and the world around me. My escape turned into a adventure that I never want to separate from, it became my joy.