Apr 9

Apr 9 Afro-Art Series Celebrates the Beauty of Natural Hair in New Orleans

by Tara Nicole Dorsey

When was the first time you became lost in an image? I remember at only four years old, I would gather all of my grandmother’s photo albums and sit on the couch for hours studying each image. From time-to-time, I’d look up and ask my grandmother questions, but for the most part, my imagination would run wild. Those moments are what sparked my interest and eventual transition into photography as a side profession.

Photo: Reg and Kahran / Creative Soul Photo

More recently, I discovered CreativeSoul Photography. Immediately, I was taken back to those childhood days of wonder while reviewing their captivating images. Founders, Reg and Kahran have said that their goal is, “to help kids around the world love their unique beauty within.” They have created a brand that captures the true essence of childhood through the celebration of natural hair and authentic cultural appreciation.

Reg and Kahran have gained global recognition for their photography. On April 15, they are heading to New Orleans for one day only to both display and capture images for their AfroArt Series. Check out our interview below and view some images here first! If you’re in New Orleans on the 15th, head over to their show and prepare to become lost in beauty, authenticity, and of course, Afros!

Tara: How did you guys meet?

Reg: We both started out in the marketing and design world and fell in love with photography while dating cross-country long distance. We actually met in an online graphic designer forum at the time and would do photo dates while we were dating to explore new locations and take photos of each other.

Tara: What inspired you to start Creative Soul Photography?

Kahran: We decided to start CreativeSoul Photography together while Reg was in school studying photography. We both always had a love for photography and telling stories through images.

Tara: How do you use art to empower children? What is it about these images that you think resonates with your audience?

Kahran: We hope to empower kids around the world to love their natural curls, the skin they’re in and their culture. We hope that they can see our photos and feel confident to go out into the world with pride.

Tara: Tell us about the Afro- Art Series and the inspiration behind that?

Kahran: The AfroArt series is a recognition and celebration of the versatility of black hair and it’s innate beauty. The purpose of this series is to illustrate the story of our royal past, celebrate the glory of the here and now, and even dare to forecast the future. With this series, we aim to empower children of color to embrace their natural curls and the skin that they're in. In this series, we photographed kids in unique ways highlighting Afro hair throughout various themes.

Tara: New Orleans is a magnet for artists, musicians, and culture-seekers. What is it about this city that inspires this kind of art - soulful artistry?

Reg: We absolutely love New Orleans. Just like our work, we feel that New Orleans has “soul” and it is seen throughout the entire city in the form of art, architecture, food culture and more. We’re always feeling inspired by this vibrant city.

Tara: How can your art help empower the people of New Orleans?

Kahran: Oftentimes kids are not empowered to feel confident about their natural hair if they are not surrounded by it on a regular basis. We hope that our images will help promote positive self-esteem in our youth and encourage them to love their curls.