The day we met Aspen we felt like we hit the jackpot. It felt like a synchronous dance — they had interest in getting back into the editorial and fashion side of photography, and we had this opportunity to collaborate with a new photographer. We yearned to tell a visual story after taking a brief hiatus and were honestly weathered after doing so much physical and mental work to get into the new space. Aspen brought the energy, nuanced lingo, and a brilliant eye behind the lens. True to the name 'bevelcut' — Aspen approaches every frame at an angle, reinforcing the image with the kind of strength and integrity only a well-cut edge provides. Their quick-strike approach, when shooting on model and in precarious settings, brought a new emotional charge to our images. It was obvious that years of photographing musicians and live music gave them an anticipatory reflex, allowing them to capture dynamic, intimate micro-moments in time. But what's more important than their skill is their aura. Technique can impress — aura persuades. Aspen has been one of our greatest champions, weaving connections into experiences and opportunities we could not have accessed, or imagined, without them.
We felt like we got some juice in this interview, but if you want additional squeeze check out more of Aspen's work and consider them for your next event, show, or portrait. The boost you get with them on set is undeniable.
@bevelcut_shawti #aspenshotthat
Your work lives somewhere between music, fashion, and the internet’s collective moodboard. What’s the last thing online (a meme, sound, TikTok spiral, archive pull) that genuinely shifted how you see image-making right now?
I love this question so much! Lowkey I've been heavily inspired by Zara Larson’s makeup artist lately. Her name is Sophie Sinot and she is inspired by nature, creating these absolutely insane makeup looks for Zara’s shows. It’ll be the most vague image of like a moon over an ocean and she’ll create these absolutely brilliant makeup looks, and that’s been inspiring me a lot lately. To draw inspo — specifically for art direction — it's not about what’s already been done or concepts that are well known, and more about just phenomena’s of life. Like what would a photoshoot inspired by a rip current in the ocean look like?
You have shared you still shoot with the same Polaroid camera you had when you were a child. Do you feel like you’re living every dream you could conceptualize at that age through your work now?
I truly could not even fathom that the life I live now would be possible when I first picked up my camera at 4 years old. Making photos of people has been something that has always brought me so much joy, helps me ground myself, and connects me to other people and the world around me. I think baby Aspen would absolutely be mind blown that I’ve stuck with it and made a career out of it! I feel so lucky everyday to get to spend my time doing what makes me the happiest, it always has. I’ve always been known to have a camera on me, and it’s crazy to think that’s now my career.
What is making you feel good these days?
Mannnnnn I love making fresh pressed juice so much, especially with friends or for friends! I’m a big gratitude-list-maker — and I love the fun fact that your brain can’t be anxious and grateful at the same time. So when I start to get overwhelmed, sometimes I just left myself feel it, but sometimes I shift to [focusing on] what I'm grateful for. Also boxing makes me feel so good!!!! I’m so grateful for Kai at 'Hit Like A Girl' because the confidence and joy that boxing has given me is something I never could’ve expected. Also he makes us jump rope and at first I hated it, but now I'm obsessed and keep a jump rope in my purse. It's always there in case I gotta jump out some energy!! Also can we get an honorable mention for colorful pens? IDK they just slap and give me seratonin.
"Like what would a photoshoot inspired by a rip current in the ocean look like?"
You shoot musicians for a living, but off-camera you’ve helped build a recovery community. How do those two worlds talk to each other in your work — and where do they clash?
It’s so amazing how much they go hand in hand. So many times I’ve had a client end up pursuing sobriety or at least get curious about it after working with me, and it’s led to some very honest and open conversations that bring us closer together. Much closer than we would be if we just took some pics. I get the question of “How do you run your business?” or “How do you have so much energy” and my answer is always "I’m not numbing myself with substances anymore!" It’s helped me a lot and it’s cool to get to share that with people who are curious. I’d say it can be a little difficult — on the flip side — because being around musicians a lot means being around (and offered) a lot of drugs and alcohol. But at this stage of my sobriety (5+ years in) I no longer feel any curiosity or shame for not doing anything. My decision to get sober is the fundamental building block that has made this beautiful life possible, and I am very unapologetic and open about that! I can’t imagine ever giving that up.
When you’re stuck feeling unmotivated or visually bored, what’s your reset ritual?
When I'm feeling a lull in creativity or a lack of motivation, I love to meditate in silence or go for walks in the rain. When I sit in silence I'm able to clear the mental clutter in my brain. Usually any lack of creativity for me is rooted in overwhelming stress or anxiety that debilitates my creative muscles, so clearing that out is a game changer. Rain walks have always been one of my favorite sensory experiences — I love the sounds, smells, textures, and the way the rain looks hitting the pavement or droplets resting on the leaves of plants. One of my all time favorite smells is the smell of pavement in the summer after it rains, it’s just so calming and fresh to me. When I walk in the rain, usually there aren't many people around, and I can observe and be quiet while still moving. Usually I get a lot of inspiration on these walks. I’ll let my intuition guide the path I take and feel so present. It invigorates this sense of whimsy in me to splash around and touch plants that usually gets me back into a creative flow state. for someone that only really photographs people and never nature, it’s always wild to me how much nature inspires the conceptual side of my art for me.
"For someone that only really photographs people and never nature, it’s always wild how much nature inspires the conceptual side of my art for me. "
Plans to travel for 2026? Where are we going?
I am just got back from Jam Cruise with one of my music clients! I was doing some video work for them and the cruise went to Grand Turks and Bahamas! My next travel plan is to go to LA in March to do some networking and exploring, then Salt Lake City in April to photograph a wedding. I am plotting a trip to either Mexico City or Puerto Rico with some friends and also need to get back up to New York to visit some galleries and museums! I’ve never been much of a traveler, but a year ago I set a goal to travel more and have been blessed with tons of travel opportunities ever since. I now prioritize travel, it's a way to get inspired by other ways of living — the art. the music, the fashion. I just need to get some mental space from where I’m at sometimes!
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