With this project I wanted to expand the medium of photography to say something different about Jamaica. There is a multitude of photo books about Jamaica filled with archetypal tropical island images. When I think of those books, I imagine tired figures deserving of rest. My goal has been to move beyond superficial icons.
These pieces represent, not the just the ripe mangoes, but the juice that runs down fingertips and stains clothes. With layers of colors and words, I convey not just the literal image of Jamaica, but the emotional space it holds for me.
Fashion design and styling by Lauren Stein. Makeup by Marlene Brown. Photography by Jeana Lindo.
Fashion design, styling, and make-up by Katelyn Fay. Photography by Jeana Lindo.
inspired by Seydou Keita.
Fashion design by Berchell Egerton. Styling and photography by Jeana Lindo. Assistant Javier Dayes.
Fashion design and styling by Space. Makeup by Ntangou. Photography by Jeana Lindo.
Fashion design and styling by Sarah Joy. Photography by Jeana Lindo.
8 x 10” silver gelatin prints
Through collaboration with my fellow black students, I made studio portraits that communicated the feelings that people have or may have had about their hair. In the darkroom, I used painted overlays to create unique compositions relevant to the people's abstract feelings.
The image-making process began with an interview with each person in which I asked “how do you feel about your hair?”. Many of the people I photographed had a long story to tell about their ongoing struggle with their hair, how it affects their identity and the role it plays in society.
Together, the models and I discussed poses, but I didn't shoot or chose not to print images where they appeared to be stiff. My first thought was that I didn't want the mood of this series to be sad. I heard the phrase “I love my hair” from everyone involved here, so although it's important to mention the pain, it is the beauty and love that resonates most.
My series presents the truth about the sensitivity of boys, especially boys of color. It is important to have images that positively portray boys of color because they are stereotyped in ways which lead people to believe that they feel less pain than other people. Their negative depiction in popular media contributes to a lack of empathy for them and robs them of human qualities. My images show that boys of color are people who feel pain just as strongly if not more than others. Like flowers, they are beautiful and must be protected. Please do not step on them.
