Black photography has always been used to speak to our struggles and our victories. By portraying our experience through our own eyes, we fight the lies of a culture that tells us that we are little more than slaves.

This – and every – form of Black expression is in and of itself a revolutionary act.

That’s because what you are taught in schools, what you see in the media, and your culture’s standards of beauty all send powerful messages to the Black subconscious mind.

From the stories we tell each other to the reflections of ourselves that we see in art and fashion, we seek a deeper truth about who we are by interpreting the signs and sounds and symbols in the world around us.

These messages come in the form of music, art, photography, and through institutions like the church, the state, and the media.

And if those messages are seen and heard often enough, they become deeply held beliefs that shape our identity and behavior.

Therein lies the danger of living in a culture built on white supremacy.

When we are constantly bombarded by white supremacist cultural cues that smack of anti-Blackness, we internalize the hatred that surrounds us.

We become anxious and dont know why. We become depressed and aggressive in some instances, passive and submissive in others.

The negative effects of being Black in an anti-Black culture are not only internalized but are also externalized – towards anyone and anything that resembles what our culture teaches us to hate.

So the question of whether Black on Black crime, deteriorating Black relationships, and disunity becomes less a matter of nature than of nurture.

This is exactly why mental decolonization is a critical first step in our efforts to elevate our communities and heal ourselves.

And that process begins by telling ourselves a different story: one that acknowledges our painful past while elevating our strength and dignity and divinity.

Decolonizing Our Culture Through Black Photography

Kahran and Regis Bethencourt are the husband and wife team behind the project and owners of Creative Soul Photography.

For the past 10 years they have used AfroArt to decolonize our culture by combining the beauty of natural hair with beautiful Black children from around the world.

These are just a few examples of their award winning Black photography:

GLORY: Magical Visions of Black Beauty is a compilation of their work that doesn’t just change the narrative, it completely shatters all preconceptions.

Rich stories are combined with gorgeous imagery to give us just the kind of visual storytelling that we need to decolonize our culture.

You can support Creative Soul and bless your bookshelf with their work by clicking the link below.

The art, the stories, and the messages in Glory inspire much needed confidence in our young Queens and Kings, and you will find yourself flipping through the book cover to cover.

The Creative Soul couple has gained worldwide recognition for their custom themed sessions. Every city has a different theme that is chosen by the couple, and are unique. Some of their past themes were

The Kids of Whokanda – a combination of The Grinch Who Stole Chrismas and Wakanda
Flower Girls ReImagined – a collaboration with hand made dress company Monbebe Couture
Floral Fantasies – whimsy, colorful art pieces blooming with a rainbow of flowers

Full custom sessions are only available in the Atlanta area, so if you want a specific theme for your child, you will need to travel.

And their photo shoots are surprisingly affordable: headshot and portfolio sessions start at just $695 and Afroart sessions start at $1495.

Compared to other Black photography companies out there, this is a steal.

This book is a must have for Black children, parents, and Black photography enthusiasts alike.

I have personally purchased several copies to give to families in our organization, and I encourage you to order a copy of Glory for your family and yourself here.