A couple of photographers have dedicated a series of images to the beauty of black girls’ natural hair, hoping to help other children embrace their own appearances.
Regis and Kahran, of Atlanta, Georgia, have traveled to several states to stage photo shoots as part of their AfroArt series. Each shoot has a different theme and features children modeling various fabulous hairstyles while posing confidently in edgy decors.
‘We feel that it is so important for kids of color to be able to see positive images that look like them in the media,’ Kahran, who operates with Regis as Create Soul Photography, wrote on their website.
Snaps: A couple of photographers have dedicated a series of images to the beauty of black girls’ natural hair, hoping to help other children embrace their own appearances
Work: Regis and Kahran, of Atlanta, Georgia, traveled to several states to stage photo shoots as part of their AfroArt series
Variety: Each shoot has a different theme and features children modeling various fabulous hairstyles while posing confidently in edgy decors
Inclusive: The series, which aims to show how beautiful and versatile natural hair is, includes people of various skin tones
Getting ready:In preparation for the photo shoots, Kahran and Regis, who traveled to Georgia, Texas, California and New York for their project, start by thinking of a theme
Main event: Then, the couple puts together outfits, including both clothes and accessories, to bring that theme to life
Team work: Once that’s done, they rely on the help of their hairstylist, Lachanda Gatson, to create unique styles
‘Unfortunately the lack of diversity often plays into the stereotypes that they are not “good enough” and often forces kids to have low self-esteem.
‘We try to combat these stereotypes in our photography by showing diverse imagery of kids who love the skin they’re in, their own natural curls and their culture. Stories like this are important to show so that we can shatter the current standards of beauty.’
The couple hopes that viewers will realize how beautiful and versatile natural hair can be, and that other girls will come to see their own beauty thanks to the photos.
In preparation for the photo shoots, Kahran and Regis, who traveled to Georgia, Texas, California and New York for their project, start by thinking of a theme.
Then, they put together outfits, including both clothes and accessories, to bring that theme to life. Once that’s done, they rely on the help of their hairstylist, Lachanda Gatson.
‘On set, we just styled everything on the fly and worked with our hairstylist to create unique looks for each model,’ Kahran told My Modern Met.
Message: ‘Unfortunately the lack of diversity often plays into the stereotypes that they are not “good enough” and often forces kids to have low self-esteem,’ Kahran wrote on the pair’s website
Helpful: The couple hopes that viewers will realize how beautiful and versatile natural hair can be, and that other girls will come to see their own beauty thanks to the photos
Goal: ‘We try to combat these stereotypes in our photography by showing diverse imagery of kids who love the skin they’re in, their own natural curls and their culture,’ the duo added
Making a point: Kahran and Regis believe stories like the one showcased in the series matter, because they show it is possible to challenge current mainstream standards of beauty
Pulling it off: The young models featured in the series wear edgy outfits with ease and confidence
Success: Regis and Kahran didn’t expect the series to take off like it has, but it has become a success with many viewers
Retro: Each photo shoot has its own atmosphere, including this one throwing it back to a few decades ago
Surreal: Some of the images take on an otherworldly atmosphere, such as this one with its futuristic background
Simple: Other images have a minimalist decor and still manage to hold their own as part of the series
Duo: One photo features two girls posing next to each other against a shiny pink background with pink accents