According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation one in nine Australian women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85. One local artist is doing her bit to bring attention to this sobering statistic. Photographer Ashley Shumann is working on a project that showcases women, their breasts, and their stories.

The project is aptly titled 'one in nine' with Ashley hoping to photograph 81 women by October next year, in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Week. "I want to shoot nine groups of nine women, so that the statistic of one in nine women will be really obvious when it's up on the wall," Ashley says.

The photographs will be black and white portraits of each woman baring her breasts. Ashley says the women she has worked with so far have found the notion of being photographed topless very daunting at first but they soon lose their inhibition.

"It's a pretty awkward moment to begin with - I shoot them clothed at first and then I actually take my top off as well so that it's less awkward in the room, and it just becomes fun really. "A lot of the portraits capture a really natural side of the women because you break the ice and it end up being a lot of fun. They're very brave to come into the studio, but from then on it becomes really comfortable."

When the photos are exhibited, beneath each portrait will be a letter written by each woman telling of how they feel about their breasts, how they have been affected by breast cancer, or what they think they would do and feel if they were to be affected by it.

"The stories behind the women have been amazing and inspiring and I've really enjoyed having a laugh with these women but at the same time learning and educating myself on the cancer itself.

"I think these stories are really important because their responses end up being quite interesting because they go off on all these tangents about what their breasts mean to them - I think it's really interesting to hear everyone's individual stories, rather than an overall perception of breast cancer."

Ashley hopes that her project will really shine a light on breast cancer and on just how common it is amongst women.

"For me , I don't think there's a really visual experience when it comes to breast cancer awareness campaigns - so that's what I want to do produce, something that is eye catching and will attract women my age - I'm 22 and I never thought about it until this - and I think if it's visually appealing - they're big huge black and white portraits of breasts and they're shocking but at the same time beautiful - and I want that to come out and then I hope the importance of breast cancer will stream through the stories behind the women."

For this to be achieved Ashley still needs more women to get involved to reach her target of 81. And, she will come to you. "I don't mind where you're from, just send me an email and I'll find my way to you. I can shoot it anywhere - I've actually shot a portrait in the back of my combie before so I'm pretty flexible!"