Shelley Calton is a Texas-based photographer who documents various
female and female-dominated subcultures that challenge stereotypical notions of
womanhood. In this work, the artist explored the prevalence of female gun ownership
in the United States. Calton’s portraits are complex, revealing how women
relate to their firearms by highlighting where the guns are concealed on their
bodies or in their homes. “My concern is for the safety of all women,
especially realtors,” Calton’s sitter Donna noted. “It’s simple; we need
protection. Most of the time there is not a man around to do that.”