CreativeSoul AfroArt Photo Series Highlights Natural Hair
A crown of gemstones and cowrie shells adorns a princess’s fluffy afro. Friends pose in a metallic, cotton candy landscape. An ice angel embraces the cold. A golden ballerina serves looks. A baroque monarch looks ready to make history.
What makes these dreamy scenarios even more special is that they feature girls of color — subjects that aren’t usually the first choice for fantasy and beauty shoots. CreativeSoul Photography, a husband and wife duo based in Atlanta, Georgia, are on a mission to broaden the faces and possibilities of child photography — one gorgeous shoot at a time.
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography1/8Ice Queen (Lyric, 9)
Founded in 2009 by Kahran and Regis Bethencourt, CreativeSoul Photography celebrates youth of color by showcasing them in stunning, imaginative photoshoots. In 2014 they started composing conceptual shoots based on natural hair.
“In the AfroArt series, our hope is that black children (and parents) look at these photos and see themselves represented in ways that they have not seen before,” the Bethencourts said. “We also hope that they are inspired by the hairstyles and feel more confident about their own natural hair journey, skin, and culture.”
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography2/8(Ava Clarke, 7)
Within this decade, natural hair has become a symbol of empowerment, beauty, self care and individuality. But it wasn’t always that way — it was once considered unmanageable and unwanted — in both our homes and schools, as well as in the beauty industry. “Our goal was to normalize the idea of kids wearing natural hair in the industry,” the Bethencourts said. “We started this series to showcase the beauty and versatility of afro hair and show the endless styling possibilities.”
From asymmetrical afros, to springy spirals, to spiky, stretched out kinks, natural hair becomes a sculptural piece that further entices us to the fantasies these images exude. For too long, textured hair was considered a burden. Here, they are building blocks for a masterpiece.
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography3/8AfroEarth (Aziza, 9)
Not only are the Bethencourts celebrating natural hair, they’re also broadening children of color’s narratives. AfroArt gives young people a futuristic, fantastical playground to let their imaginations run wild. We already know that representation is important, but it’s especially exciting in sci-fi and fantasy landscapes, where representation is scarce but slowly growing.
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography4/8Steampunk (Nina, 11)
“We feel that it’s so important for kids of color to be able to see positive images that look like them in the media,” the Bethencourts explained. “Unfortunately, the lack of diversity often plays into the stereotypes that they are not ‘good enough.’ 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. We think that these stories are important in order to shatter the current standards of beauty.”
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography5/8Baroque (Zoi, 11)
Growing up, I rarely saw black princesses or kids of color playing in funky, far-out scenes. With the AfroArt series, young people of color are transported to otherworldly settings, where their hair is the highlight of the story. They prove that black hair can transform into powerful, unusual, and innovative shapes that make these visual stories more exciting and lively.
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography6/8Queen Things (Jordyn, 8)
With Black Panther in theatres and A Wrinkle in Time soon arriving, I’m grateful that young people today have enthusiastic, ethereal visions of Afrofuturism to idolize and engage with. In this, CreativeSoul Photography personalizes Afrofuturism by providing spaces for young models to write their own identities — by exploring their wildest daydreams.
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography7/8Steampunk (Nina & Nici, 11)
“We are currently going through a renaissance period in black culture where we’re starting to write our own narrative of what it means to be a person of color,” the Bethencourts said. “We are taking control of our own identity and showcasing it beautifully through the arts, fashion, hair, and more. The AfroArt series shows kids that they can be proud of their culture.”
Courtesy of CreativeSoul Photography8/8Holographic (Kheris, 11, Amber Searcy, 12)
And the AfroArt series is just the beginning. CreativeSoul Photography’s Instagram overflows with remarkable images of children of color exuding happiness and empowerment in Afrocentric and eclectic scenes and costumes. Black girl magic, black boy joy.
