Ashleigh Scully is an accomplished artist with a passion for telling stories. Her photography emphasizes her compassion for wildlife and empathy for nature and its many vulnerabilities. Her work has garnered an international following and has been recognized by prestigious institutions. I recently connected with Ashleigh and got the opportunity to learn more about her, her art, and her artistic process.
Question: Your passion for wildlife led you to success in the field of photography at an early age. What inspired you to pursue wildlife photography, and how have your successes enhanced your passion for wildlife since?
Answer: My pursuit of wildlife photography began at the age of eight when my grandparents gifted me an Olympus point and shoot for my birthday. We went on a family trip to Alaska later that year and that solidified my love for documenting the natural world! Within a couple years I was introduced to the world of photography competitions—which had me striving to capture a photograph perfectly in the camera (settings and composition wise) to make sure I’d have a good original RAW file to submit. This strategy grounded me in the knowledge of camera settings, understanding light and the behavior of my subjects. I love to live by the saying “luck always favors the prepared”, so I dedicate my success to that moral.
Question: Wildlife photography requires creativity, as well as mental and physical stamina. How do you stay patient and persistent while waiting for the perfect shot?
Answer: I’ve always had a sense of patience in the field. It’s funny because in other aspects of my life, I’m not patient. I’m go-go-go, get this done at this time, and move forward. But I think I’ve crafted space in my mind for where I can take those breathers and just be myself. Being out in nature, connecting with wildlife and sharing those stories—it brings out a peace within me. The same goes with when I’m diving. I travel to photograph, I sit in a blind to capture the shot I’m envisioning—I’ll wait all day long as long as I’m maintaining an ethical and respectful relationship with my subject. I think a lot of other photographers can say the same. In those areas, out in the world, I’m in my element.
(Ashleigh Scully)
Question: As a wildlife photographer, your objective is to capture animals living in their natural habitat. How do you anticipate the behavior of animals in order to get the perfect shot?
Answer: Anticipating behavior comes with understanding and preparedness. There are also boundaries, laws and ethics that require respect and attention. I had a good eye for composition from a young age and used that to my advantage. Knowing where my subject is heading—based on direction, behavior, predators, etc—helps me frame them in the camera. I’m constantly moving my focal point from left to right, up and down, preparing myself for wherever the subject decides to take direction. I was raised and mentored on traditional photography, and I’m not as tech savvy as people are with it now with tracking sensors and heavier editing. I’m very old school. The lessons I learned and taught myself about image framing from an early age gave me a head start. I also used to make little books on animals and present them to my elementary school classes as a kid. If you have a love for wildlife and nature, anticipating the behavior of your subject comes naturally! You figure it out as you go.
Question: You have taken beautiful images of stunning wildlife all around the world. What has been the most rewarding or memorable photograph you’ve taken, and why?
Answer: There was a photograph I took of two brown bear cubs in Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, when I was thirteen. I didn’t know at the time what a profound impact it would later have on my life—or the lives of others. But that photo won me the Youth Photographer of the Year title in 2017 and was hung in the Smithsonian. The print was later donated to a children’s hospital. A friend of mine sent me a photograph of a little girl standing next to it, holding her hand out to touch the bear's face. It brought me to tears. That’s what my job means to me—-telling stories and sharing experiences with people to educate them and bring love to the subjects.
Question: Your portfolio includes images from Svalbard in the Arctic, Tanzania in East Africa, and many other locations. Do you have a favorite wildlife species or location that you love photographing, and why?
Answer: People know me for my photographs of foxes, owls and bears. It’s been that way since the beginning. I grew up in the countryside of northern New Jersey in a beautiful home and it was my mission when I was little to find something to photograph every day. Foxes and owls became my favorite subjects because they were difficult to find and hard to anticipate. I loved the challenge and felt a deep connection to both species whenever photographing them. I still do. Later, as I traveled further (and kept going back to Alaska), bears came into the picture! My trip to Svalbard, Norway in July and August of 2023 was by far one of the best experiences of my life. I felt the stories I was capturing could make a difference in a rapid and climate changing world. Especially with the polar bear, the face of the melting arctic, I felt it was my job to go out there and give a voice to speak up for what can’t speak for itself.
(Ashleigh Scully)
Question: Your photography is consistently viewed by hundreds of thousands of individuals. How have you been able to use your work to influence conservation efforts around the world?
Answer: My work didn’t blow up until late August of 2023. Originally I had 9,000 or so followers—I was busy in college athletics and wasn’t very active on my account and was doing my best to balance my worlds. When I went to Svalbard in July of that year, I hadn’t photographed, truly, in a few years. Social media changed. People became more expressive and vulnerable and creative online. I discovered that although people love watching reels of polar bears, and seeing images of them, it’s originality that people want to see. I had to find a way to incorporate my own story, and that’s the reel that took off. Sticking with my guns and my passions for so long are what I hope can serve as an inspiration to others to never give up and pursue your dreams. The reel got around 12.5 million views and skyrocketed my following to 160,000. Then I thought, now I have something to work with. I was later invited to serve as a contributor for the 100 For the Ocean Campaign in June of 2024, showcasing one of my photographs from Norway and donating funds to three separate ocean conservation groups. Ever since, I’ve been using my platform to educate and inspire others to support conservation efforts and projects I believe in.
Question: With your rigorous academic schedule, are there any projects you’re working on, or goals you’re working towards at this moment?
Answer: Currently I’m on the verge of completing my second degree in English literature. My master’s thesis is centered on establishing oceanic space as territory and how the nineteenth century whaling empire sparked a worldwide greed for oil. I’ve been able to strategize and use my photography and stories from the field to shape a conservation-driven and empathetic work towards the conflicts between whales versus man and man versus man. I’m crafting it in a way to project the violence of the industry but how necessary it was to the people of that time—I think adding the dual perspectives makes for an interesting argument. My writing has transformed significantly under the guidance of the English department at my school and they’ve given me full rein in nerding out to incorporate my loves for geography, history, nature, oceans, wildlife and art into one. I’m really grateful for the support of my thesis committee and I believe I’m creating a story that will sit with people. Writing is one of the most important tools in life, and I hope I can sway someone or give them a chance to see the industry and species in a different light.
Continued: I don’t have any specific goals from here on out, aside from navigating my way through life after college. I have plans to apply to a couple PhD programs—but that’s all still up in the air! My dream would be to do what I love everyday and chase the spirit of my younger self and my passions for the natural world and its inhabitants.
(Ashleigh Scully)
Ashleigh takes great care in shouldering the responsibility of “speaking up for what can’t speak for itself”. Her fierce loyalty to ethical wildlife photography and multifaceted approach to key topics make her an intriguing and influential figure in the field of conservation. Most importantly, Ashleigh is prepared to seize each opportunity, tell stories that honor wildlife, and educate anyone inclined to listen.
To access Ashleigh’s online print store, follow the link below:
