seen
An In-Body Portrait Experience
“This was, hands down, one of the most empowering experiences of my life.”- Molly
Seen is presence over polish, feeling over performing.
feels>looks
You don’t need to be “empowered,” enlightened, or healed…
The wanting is reason enough.
You don’t have to be certain.
Or brave. Or photogenic.
You don’t need a better reason than your own desire.
You don’t need to explain it to anyone.
You’re allowed to do it a little thrilled, worried, or scared, to be a little raw, a little full of yourself.
You’re allowed to want to be seen.
But what does Seen feel like,
“It’s a whole process happening in me!”- Kerryn
“It felt like art! I got really excited about what we were making and kind of took myself out of the equation.” - Sabriel
“Her photos speak for themselves--she's a master behind the lens--but you'll value your images even more for the experience they represent. She doesn't shy away from our raw, most human experiences, and her capacity to stay open and vulnerable while sharply aware and present allow her to capture images that no other photographer can.” - Errin
“I was nervous at first, but that quickly melted away and I just felt peace, like it was the most normal thing for me to be doing. I felt like a child and like the most powerful goddess at all the same time. It was as if time stood still while this was all happening and I was in a little bubble just for me.”- Molly
“You aren’t a subject in Ashley Thalman’s photos. She doesn’t control the narrative or how you look in the photos, but instead offers value to settle into your own.”- Miranda
“To be beholden by someone with that level of freedom, someone who isn’t expecting anything, to whom there are no bad angles, to be witnessed in a way that is as unconditional as anything I’ve ever experienced, is more effective than heart surgery.” -Whitney
“It's an experience you'll won't get anywhere else. The connection you'll feel to yourself…to the magic of Ashley is simply thrilling.”- Steph
“The season of life I'm in didn't allow me to hide what was true for me at that time, and being able to show up in honesty (an invitation Ashley is good at extending) it made me feel more capable of addressing the life I'm actually in. As opposed to pretending to be something else or denying what I'm not.”- Maddie
“I cannot believe how uninhibited I felt shooting with Ashley. I have SO MANY issues with how I see myself and my appearance in real life AND in photos and I honestly gave two shits during the shoot. Those concerns that feel like bricks were not even present. I had COMPLETE trust that whatever we were going to create together, I would love. Ashley also created an EXPERIENCE that provided absolute specific intention and purpose for the shoot. I honestly didn't want the session to ever end!”- Andrea
When Seen is meant for you, you know it.
A body-neutral portrait experience without pretense Seen is created at the intersection of connection, creativity, and courage offering for you portraiture.
No fan of low hanging boudoir fruits, pouty lips, and popped hips you’re not interested in making images for “him”. The male gaze bores you.
You want portraits that mark a threshold: portraits that show you, as you, for you.
These images are a part of the truth of setting free the wildness of womanhood. From age 12 I wanted to see these images; to make them with friends, to be in them, to direct them.
The skinny dip thrill, the splash of cold rain, icy rivers, salty oceans. To build fires, to gather under sunrise light where your body takes shape in nature.
Let’s see if we vibe, let’s explore what Seen feels like to you. A Vibe check call is exactly that. Fee applies to Seen session fees when booked within 30 days.
I’m in, now what
The Seen Experience
Seen Sessions are shot in private locations, homes, gardens, and studios.
Seen Outside are nude-in-nature portrait experiences.
Seen Includes:
20-30 minute call + as needed text, voice note, email and Marco Polo exchanges both pre and post session to connect, plan, process, talk themes and determine the best location and session time
Self-reflective pre and post session questionnaires to document and process your Seen experience
Approximately 60-120 minute photo session created in a private indoor or outdoor location of your choice. I say approximately because we will both know and feel out the “end”.
Delivery of 30+ fully edited high-resolution (printable) images via a private, password protected gallery.
I shoot how and what I’m feeling most inspired by switching between digital and film mediums, polaroid, 35 mm- whatever I feel tells the story we are
$222 print/album credit
payment plans available
* Seen may require additional travel, admissions, rentals, and possible accommodation fees.
Who is Ash?
Skinny dipping’s biggest fan I once lost my swim bottoms in the ocean.
I come from a lineage of stare-hards: detail adorers. The demonstrative ones who hold your face in their hands and said, “Aw look at you!”; a sensory-sorta grandma who rubbed earlobes, grew rare iris varieties, a mother who gave tenderness and confidence as a hairdresser, and a dad who was never afraid to awe and wonder at the beauty of life. As the living rarity of these I create Seen.
Got questions? Contact me HERE
“Though the reflection in the pool
Often swims before our eyes:
Know the image.”
- Rilke