The concept for this shoot was to put anything unnecessary to the flames. When we met up to plan, we came up with a few things. Vanity. Destructive criticism. Self-doubt. Hate. Anything that didn’t promote our overall health and well-being, or at least add some type of value to our lives. Anything that didn’t make us feel good about ourselves or about our lives had to go. 

We wanted to do away with anything that makes us feel bound by societal chains. Although there are so many forces out here telling us what to do and what to wear, and showing us good and bad examples of fashion and lifestyle, we can’t get caught up in the daily pursuit of impressing the next person. We don’t live by the norms that are set by social media and otherwise. We live by the norms and values that we have set in place for ourselves. Nothing can hold us back when we invest 100% into ourselves and the empowerment of the people around us.

Now just to be clear, this collection is not an indictment of the drip by any means. Because believe me, we all like to put that shit on. But when it gets excessive and we are basing how we feel about ourselves off the opinions people have of our clothes, then we need to take a step back and re-assess WHY we like to dress the way we do. So it’s just a reminder to be confident and have high self-esteem, but always remember to stay humble. The example we set with humility will take us much further than the example we set with conceit. 

When MK came to me with the idea for this shoot, we agreed that vanity and materialism were plaguing our culture and society, and that we needed to set these things ablaze. So we just wanted to come together with some models, put clothes and other items in the fire, and also have a great experience. We knew we wanted to get some experience shooting fire, and what better way but to set some things ablaze. We sought after inspiration from our real lives when we did this shoot. It was very personal, and very meaningful and honestly took a turn that I didn't expect, but that was very relevant. 

FDT

Donald Trump would lose the presidency just a few days after this shoot. I had these visuals hot and ready right in the midst of the election. The first time he lost, I dropped the visual on Instagram almost immediately. It’s all I worked on that whole day. It meant a lot to be a part of that moment in history, whether my pictures and video were recognized or went viral or not. It was just lit to be able to make a statement at a moment in history that will be remembered by many and learned about by even more. In 2021, we shed the bad skin of Donald Trump, a man who has plagued our country with the validation of hateful speech and actions, and has tried to return our nation to an era when our people were not even considered people in the eyes of the law. As we leave that behind, we set the old ways of this country to flames. It’s really crazy how the Trump pictures came about. Crystal, the creative director of the project, found and took these signs one day leading up to the shoot. They came in handy and we were able to make a strong statement with these photos. Donald Trump is a prime example of what we wanted to get rid of in the burning flames of this photoshoot. So as we move into the year 2021, I am proud to have been able to use my voice at the ballot box and contribute to the change that needs to occur in this country. It’s important for us to all know that voting is important. I preach this to my students on a daily basis, hoping that when they’re able, they will take advantage of this right. If you live in Georgia and haven’t already voted, I encourage you to go ahead and cast your vote because the power of the Senate rests in our hands. 

During the time leading up to the shoot, I was thinking about what type of shots I wanted to get. I showed up early, as always, and peeped the scene. I knew since this was a fire shoot, I wanted big flames and people close to the fire. And don’t worry, we had a whole plan. We filled up big buckets of water to throw the fire into when we were done, and had fire extinguishers, the whole nine. But it still didn’t go as expected. They never do. At the beginning of the shoot, I put all the lenses I wanted to use in the cargo pockets of these new pants I bought.  just knew I was the shit, having everything I needed for the shoot, right there on me. But I bent down to take a picture, and boom, pants ripped, in the front, on the first set of photos. I jetted to my car, which was luckily parked right near by and changed back into the sweatpants I pulled up in. Luckily, I was able to change without being seen. But that’s because at that moment, the fire had gotten a little out of control. It was time to extinguish the flames, and where was I? Changing my damn clothes. Ironic right? I was responsible for one of the fire extinguishers, and I was away, contradicting the whole concept of the shoot, and changing my clothes so I wouldn’t feel embarrassed by my ripped pants. Now don’t get me wrong, the pants needed to be changed, but still, very ironic. So after changing, I ran back with my extinguisher and eventually let the fire out. Crisis averted. But then, I was worried we wouldn’t have enough extinguisher for the rest of the shoot, and we didn’t. So now my mind’s all thrown off. I’m trying to remember what all my ideas were, but at this point, I’m just shooting whatever’s in front of me. But it worked. 

I realized that the fire didn’t have to be the focal point for this shoot at all.  The people who were behind, within, and headed toward the fire were most important. The fire symbolizes the things we go through in life. They’re constantly raging and figuring out ways to make life difficult for us, but our will to succeed and faith in what we believe is ultimately what allows us to free ourselves of those flames and rise from those ashes like the phoenix. As people, we must be broken down at times to be built up. Sometimes we have to strip ourselves to the bare bones to rebuild and rebrand ourselves in our daily walk. Recalibrating, recharging, and refreshing is necessary when it comes to getting to the next level. And that’s what we’re doing. We’re shedding the skin of 2020 and moving forward into 2021. 

As we transition into a new year, I encourage you to shed the negativity of 2020 and start 2021 with a fresh perspective. 2020 had its ups and downs. Some made it out better than others, some went through things that were unexpected and even unspeakable. We lost a lot of friends and family, and a lot of quality face to face time with the people that we love. The flames of 2020 burned a lot to the ground, both literally and figuratively. But in the words of my father, Rev. Frank Cornelius Brown, we are STILL STANDING. If you’re able to read this article and view this collection, you’ve made it. You’re still standing. And like a phoenix, you too will rise from the ashes of 2020 and achieve things you thought were impossible in 2021. 

For this project, I collaborated with a friend and role model in the photography world. We actually went to elementary school together, and then met again doing community service with Cam Kirk. Michole Kemp, @shotbymk is a great photographer and visual artist and I encourage you to check out her work. I’d like to thank her for the opportunity and for the fast-paced field training I got while doing this shoot. Look forward to more work from us, and go follow and support her. She just opened a new photography studio, and I can’t wait to shoot there. Don’t meet me there. Beat me there. 

Creative Direction was spearheaded by none other than Crystal Guerra, who I’m very upset is moving away because I was really looking forward to working with her again. She was a godsend when it came to the logistics of the shoot and did a tremendous job helping the models pose and get in the zone. 

Lastly, I have to give a special thanks to all of the models who were involved in this shoot. I didn’t know any of the models in this shoot previously, but hopefully will be able to work with some, if not all of them again. They all had true passion in their eyes and were able to tell the story through their actions and emotions. Seeing the intensity in their eyes made me feel like these shots were perfect. 

I appreciate them so much!! Everybody go follow them on IG. 

@aleeisha

@bachelor_hajr

@estas_enojado_

@_astoldbybussey

@its.lil.momo

@dej_dreana

@tahirahcbrie

@tiarabriann