Today we’re excited to be connecting with Ashley Rose Ramirez again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.
Ashley Rose, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
Thank you so much for checking back in and taking interest in my continued journey! To newer readers just tuning in, I am an all around artist, entrepreneur, and story teller. My predominant mediums focus on directing, fashion, photography, and writing. I am a huge proponent for taking risks and investing in oneself, while eliminating self imposed, limiting beliefs. As an American with familial Mexican roots, so much of what I do comes from a place of passion and honor to my cultural ties. As a sexually fluid woman and person of color, I am finding my purpose in becoming the person I wish I could have had around when I was younger. I aim to keep making space for myself and others like me in places that weren’t initially made for us. I’ve called Paris home, on many occasions, and trail blazed a unique path in the world of fashion that is all my own.
Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Let’s see! Last where we left off, reader’s may have been introduced to me as an emerging photographer that was just about ready to give directing a try. Since then, I faced a slew of tumultuous obstacles, seemingly insurmountable failures, and deeply painful, personal trials. What I learned in turn and what came into fruition was that these obstacles were preparing me for the path ahead, the failures did indeed force me to pivot into the unknown, and the pain felt only reinforced my strength.
I was so set on becoming a photographer, tunnel visioned since college on this being my absolute and final outcome, that I ignored the fact that my storytelling within photographs never felt completely satisfying. I kept longing to tell the moments of the in between. Rejection after rejection of my still images from contest after contest, submission after submission, took a toll. That was when I decided on a whim to listen to my gut and venture into the world of motion.
Even some of the closest people in my life don’t realize that my first love in the arts was writing. I studied all forms of creative writing since middle school, from poetry, songwriting, playwriting, short stories, novels, and screen writing. At the age of 16 I wrote nearly a whole feature length screenplay, all the while feeling like the biggest imposter.
I was obnoxiously shy throughout high school, wanting nothing more than to hide away in a dark room developing film in a photography class as my elective, but as fate would have it, I got stuck with acting year after year. In those acting classes, I inadvertently learned how to take direction and how to give it. This slowly got me out of shell and helped me grow into my new found confidence.
I actually didn’t even get to take a photography class until college, when I immediately then declared it as my major, and left writing in the dust. Something in me though, felt unfulfilled. Until recently, the pieces began to click.
I have the heart of a writer, eye of a photographer and mouth of a director. It was destined all along, and I’m just now beginning to realize it.
I began tapping into micro films a few years ago, and my first film, ‘Nuestro Orgullo,’ made alongside an incredible team, has gone on to become a part of the official selection and nominee at the London Fashion Film Festival, Berlin Fashion Film Festival, LA Fashion Festival, as well as the UK Fashion Film Festival, even earning a win at the LA Fashion Festival, in their Best Emerging Director category.
If it weren’t for the continued rejection of my photography, I never would have felt the overwhelming frustration that it took for me to try something new. In this case, the cliche is true, rejection was truly redirection. I feel so in sync with what my purpose has been all along when I direct.
I am also thrilled on the release of my next fashion film, ‘GIRLHOOD,’ made along side a beautiful cast and exceptionally talented crew. The world is yearning for stories told from a new perspective. I’m finally ready to rise to this call to action.
We have now arrived at one of our favorite parts of the interview – the lightning round. We’ll ask you a few quick questions to give us all some fun insights about you.
- Favorite Movie: It’s hard to choose! The one that resonates the most in sequencing, jump time lines, and over all melancholic love: Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind.
- Favorite Book: Just Kids by Patti Smith.
- Favorite TV Show: Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. It’s my end all comfort show! Her journey and story arc as she rises to fame is honestly like a map of reference for my life at this point. As and an example, “Ok I just met my Sophie Lennon and got left on the tarmac with all of my suitcases. Now what?” Viewers of the show just know.
- Favorite Band or Artist: Of all time? It’s a toss up between Sade and Nirvana.
- Sweet or Savory: Both!
- Mountains or Beach: Big Sur. Where the mountains meet the beach!
- Favorite Sport (to watch): Does yoga count?
- Favorite Sport (to play): No really, does yoga count?
- Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): I’m a total nerd since birth. Sports have never been my calling.
- As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: As a kid I wanted to be rockstar. I have this little laminated self portrait drawing of how I envisioned myself all grown up, holding a mic in my hand. I still feel like there’s something left in that to discover…
- French Fries or Onion Rings: French fries! Potatoes of all kinds.
- Chuck Rhodes or Bobby Axelrod: Who or who? I had to google this one. I’m truly a creature of comforts or perhaps it’s my undiagnosed ADHD, as I prefer to rewatch the same shows over and over again.
- Favorite Cartoon growing up: Ren and Stimpy or maybe Rugrats? Both explain my bizarre sense of humor.
- Favorite Childhood movie: Tough one! I’d have to say Disney’s Mulan. The only leading lady who could fend for herself and save the nation while she’s at it.
- Favorite Breakfast Food: Black coffee, with a piece of fresh challah, and a spoonful of peanut butter with a drizzle of honey and dash of cinnamon. It’s oddly specific, but it wins every time.
When you look back on your life, what are three things you expect to be proud of?
There’s a saying in Latin that I have tattooed as a daily reminder, ‘momento mori,’ or remember death. Remembering one’s own mortality will get you to actually appreciate life all the more. My hope is to live a life worth lived, with no rock left unturned.
I want to be proud of my courage to live a life authentic to myself, who I really am, and what I truly have desired, not what other’s expected of me. Second, my ability to take risks, to venture off on the path less traveled, and third, that I chose to be bold.
Too many people water themselves down. They don’t wear they want, love who they want, or go where they want, all for fear of what other people will think of them. Truth is, everyone is mostly just preoccupied with themselves, and more often than not, choose to go against their instincts.
If I could tell one story over and over again as a theme in every bit of art I create for others to consume, it’d be that, life is too short not love the person you are or the life you choose to lead. Love yourself first, and all else will follow.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ashleyroseramirez.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleyroseramirez/
Image Credits
Image 1:
Self Portrait, Creative Director, Stylist, MakeUp, Hair, Post Production:
EQ Rentals: Samy’s Camera, Santa Ana @samys_camera
Image 2:
Director, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Editor, Photographer: Ashley Rose Ramirez @ashleyroseramirez
Starring: Jazz Walters @jaazzzss, Jasmine Marie @taeyungs_gucci_model with Photogenics LA @photogenicsla . Mackenzie Evita @mackenzieevita , & Nicole Anahi @kneekoole
Director of Photography: Amber Buchanan @ambermbuchanan
First AC: Naomi Portillo @Naomi.portillo
Gaffer: Michael Suraci @michaelsuraci
Stylist: Nicole Grasty @nicolegrasty_
Hair: Lesley Gomez @todays_project
Make Up: Diksha P Malhotra @the_face_couture
Hair & Make Up Assistant: Gabriel Mejia @gabrielspoolie
Agency Representative, BTS, PA: Aubrey Rotino @yerbua_r
Stills Post Production: Katarina Ove @tender.retouch
Image 3:
Photographer: Fabio Piazza @fabiopiazzaphotography
Courtesy of The London Fashion Film Festival @londonfashionfilmfestival
Image 4:
Photo courtesy of Monica Galindo. Featuring ‘GIRLHOOD,’ cast and crew.
Director, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Editor, Photographer: Ashley Rose Ramirez @ashleyroseramirez
Starring: Jazz Walters @jaazzzss, Jasmine Marie @taeyungs_gucci_model with Photogenics LA @photogenicsla . Mackenzie Evita @mackenzieevita , & Nicole Anahi @kneekoole
Director of Photography: Amber Buchanan @ambermbuchanan
First AC: Naomi Portillo @Naomi.portillo
Gaffer: Michael Suraci @michaelsuraci
Stylist: Nicole Grasty @nicolegrasty_
Hair: Lesley Gomez @todays_project
Make Up: Diksha P Malhotra @the_face_couture
Hair & Make Up Assistant: Gabriel Mejia @gabrielspoolie
Agency Representative, BTS, PA: Aubrey Rotino @yerbua_r
Image 5:
Photographer: Aubrey Rotino @yerbua_r
Featuring ‘Girl Hood,’ Director and Cast:
Director, Executive Producer, Creative Director, Editor, Photographer: Ashley Rose Ramirez @ashleyroseramirez
Starring: Jazz Walters @jaazzzss, Jasmine Marie @taeyungs_gucci_model with Photogenics LA @photogenicsla . Mackenzie Evita @mackenzieevita , & Nicole Anahi @kneekoole
