Beyond the Ribbon: How Ashleigh Davis Turned Pain into Purpose
Beyond the Ribbon: How Ashleigh Davis Turned Pain into Purpose
At 38, Ashleigh Davis was living life fully — balancing her thriving photography business in New Orleans with time spent capturing the joy and love of families across her community. But one quiet moment in her home changed everything. During a self-exam, she felt something unusual — a small lump that would alter her life forever.
That unusual discovery, she now says, saved her life.
“My lump was detected through self-exam, which is why I stress monthly self-exams,” Ashleigh recalls. “You have to know your body. Don’t wait until something feels wrong — be proactive.”
It was the beginning of a long, grueling journey with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma – Triple Negative Breast Cancer, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat forms of the disease. Two weeks after her diagnosis, she began 16 rounds of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, followed by a bilateral mastectomy, reconstruction, and later a preventative hysterectomy after discovering she carried the BRCA2 gene mutation, which gives carriers a 75% chance of developing breast cancer and a 27% chance of ovarian cancer.
“Finding out I had the BRCA2 mutation helped me make tough but necessary decisions,” she explains. “I opted for the hysterectomy because I wanted to remove any chance the cancer had to show up again.”
The Reality of Survivorship
Many assume that finishing chemo marks the end of the fight, but for Ashleigh, survivorship became another full-time journey.
“It doesn’t end with chemo,” she says. “It’s constant scans, doctor appointments, blood draws, and living with the side effects of treatment. It’s one day at a time.”
Chemo also worsened a pre-existing condition, and now she receives monthly infusions to manage it. Still, through fatigue, pain, and uncertainty, Ashleigh’s spirit never wavered. Her determination became a light not just for herself, but for others watching her journey unfold.
“Survivorship is not easy. Too many women — and men — are walking this same road. But I’ve learned to listen to my body and take care of my peace.”
Lessons in Living and Healing
Ashleigh’s experience reshaped how she sees life, health, and work. It made her fiercely protective of her peace and more intentional about her joy.
“My perspective on life and health is simple — live your life and stay on top of your health,” she says. “Don’t neglect your annual doctor appointments. Protect your peace. Do the things that bring you joy, no matter who doesn’t like it or understand it.”
The same lessons now guide how she runs her business, Kimarie Photography, named in honor of her late aunt Kimberley Marie, whose photo once brought Ashleigh comfort in a moment of grief.
“That picture of my aunt made me smile when I thought I couldn’t. It reminded me why photos matter. That’s why I started Kimarie — to give other families that same gift.” Ashleigh’s portraits tell stories of love and legacy, often encouraging clients to print their memories rather than keep them on screens. “In the end,” she says, “photos are what we have left.”
Redefining Success and Work After Cancer
When she began treatment, Ashleigh thought she might have to close her studio. But her “village” — friends, family, and loyal clients — stepped in to keep her dream alive.
“I was ready to shut everything down because I knew I couldn’t work the way I used to,” she says. “But my village said absolutely not. They told me I wouldn’t have cancer forever, and they meant it.”
For a full year, her community covered the studio bills, sent gifts, checked on her health, and showed up for photo sessions just to lend a hand. “They made sure the lights stayed on every single month. It was the hardest help to accept, but I’m beyond grateful. They showed me what real support looks like.” The experience changed how Ashleigh defines business success. Today, she only works with clients who align with her values and respect her boundaries.
“You keep your money, I’ll keep my peace, and we’ll call it even,” she says with a smile. “Peace over profit — that’s my motto.”
She prioritizes rest, spacing out sessions to accommodate her infusions, and limits herself to one Sunday a month for work. “My body thanks me for it,” she adds. “I’ve learned that saying no is not selfish — it’s necessary.”
The Birth of an Advocate
Ashleigh’s battle with cancer ignited something greater than survival — it sparked advocacy. She wanted to use her art and her story to shed light on what breast cancer truly looks like beyond the pink ribbon.
“We see the pink ribbons everywhere,” she says, “but not enough people understand what really happens behind them. What it’s like to lose your hair, your breasts, your energy — but still find hope. I wanted to give voice to that.”
In 2024, she launched “She’s in Focus: Beyond the Ribbon,” a campaign that combines photography and storytelling to share the real-life experiences of breast cancer survivors. Each participant receives a photoshoot and interview to tell their truth — how they discovered their cancer, how it affected their families, and what survivorship means to them.
“It’s about showing the faces and stories behind the statistics,” she explains. “Bringing awareness that cancer doesn’t care how young or old you are — and that early detection truly saves lives.”
Her work has quickly evolved into a community movement, providing survivors with visibility, validation, and the courage to speak out. She hopes to evolve the campaign into a full foundation dedicated to awareness, advocacy, and survivor support.
Balancing Health, Life, and Business
Ashleigh often reminds women that it’s okay to seek help — a message she learned firsthand. “We all need help at one time or another,” she says. “Talk to someone you trust. Vent in a safe space. Don’t sit there and drown — there’s no shame in asking for help.”
She believes that self-care isn’t selfish; it’s survival. Whether it’s rest, therapy, or simply saying “no,” she encourages women to prioritize themselves. That business and the money mean nothing if you’re mentally or physically drained,” she adds. “You have to be here to show up for your clients and your family. Take care of yourself first.”
The Reality of Life After Cancer
For Ashleigh, Breast Cancer Awareness Month is more than a calendar event — it’s a lifestyle.
“It’s not just a month; it’s a reminder that early detection saves lives,” she says. “It saved me.” But she’s also honest about the difficult parts of survivorship — the neuropathy, brain fog, sleepless nights, and anxiety that never fully fade. “Survivorship has its ugly side,” she admits. “There are moments you feel a headache and wonder if the cancer has spread. You grieve who you were before cancer, even while being grateful for your life now.”
Still, through it all, she chooses gratitude.
“Cancer changed my body, but it didn’t take my spirit. I’m thankful for my life, even on the hard days.”
Carrying Light Forward
Through Kimarie Photography, Ashleigh continues to celebrate life, love, and legacy — capturing stories that outlive the moment. Each image, each campaign, and each survivor she photographs is a testament to resilience.
“If my story helps one woman check herself sooner or speak up to her doctor, then it was all worth it,” she says.
Ashleigh Davis stands as living proof that beauty can rise from pain — that advocacy can be born from adversity — and that no matter how dark the journey, there is always light to focus on.
📸 Connect with Ashleigh Davis
Kimarie Photography
📧 bonjou@kimariephotography.com
📱 504-435-2183
📷 IG/FB: @kimariephotography
📍 1019 Whitney Ave Ste A, Terrytown, LA 70056
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