Houston-based photographer Shelley Calton is no stranger to guns. Ever since she was a little girl, she's taken part in target practice with her father and sisters.
In her latest series, Concealed, Calton photographs fellow Texan women who own firearms for the sake of self-protection. Growing up in Texas, these women have been raised around guns, and are now expert shooters. That being said, they are not exactly forthcoming about their decision to carry a weapon and/or keep one in their homes. Calton made sure to assure her subjects that her series is not intended to make a political statement about gun ownership or laws in America.
Calton's main focus within the series is to take a weapon that has been traditionally associated with masculinity, and place it within a feminine context.
Gun-Toting Texan Photography
Shelley Calton Photographs Texas Women and Their Firearms
Trend Themes
1. Female Gun Ownership - There is a growing trend of women owning firearms for self-protection, presenting opportunities for businesses to cater to this market with tailored products and services.
2. Feminizing Firearms - The trend of placing guns within a feminine context, as shown in Shelley Calton's photography series, opens up possibilities for companies to create stylish and customized firearms and accessories targeted at women.
3. Concealed Carry Culture - The rise of concealed carry culture, where individuals carry concealed weapons for personal safety reasons, provides opportunities for businesses to develop innovative and discreet solutions for carrying firearms.
Industry Implications
1. Firearms Manufacturing - Gun manufacturers can capitalize on the trend of female gun ownership by designing firearms and accessories that cater to the specific needs and preferences of women.
2. Fashion and Accessories - The increasing demand for feminine and customized firearms presents a market opportunity for fashion and accessories brands to create stylish and functional gun holsters and cases for women.
3. Personal Safety Products - The concealed carry culture trend spurs the need for innovative personal safety products, such as specialized concealed carry clothing and accessories, providing opportunities for companies in the personal safety industry.