Blessed | #TheArtHype . “My grandmother just passed and I just came back from Chicago from the funeral. My grandmother did everything for me, she showed me the whole country. They buried my mother in a 8,000 St. John’s suit, she was the standard of style. She taught me class, and as a black man it was one of the greatest gifts of all. She taught me class didn’t have a color and that my melanin was good enough. For that I am blessed.” . Words and Silhouette: @homme_dc . . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #blackskinwomen #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #supreme #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Moon Melanin | #TheArtHype . My first solo art show will be a moment and I would love for you to be present. . April 19, the full moon is upon us, 🌚. . SAVE THE DATE/LINK IN “GET TICKETS” . Flyer Design: @abidoehq Show Design: @brownbelle . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #blackskinwomen #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #moondust #queensonly #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #allwhite #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Sun | #TheArtHype . “Sunshine feeds melanin, we absorb and take in light. Its similar to photosenthesis. I am a lighter a guy but my pride has never faltered. I make sure to feed off the sun and take care off what I have been blessed with. I recieved this honor from my parents and its history has taught me to appreciate the beauty in all shades of melanin. I am indeed a native of the sun.” . Words and Silhouette: @dj_nativesun . . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #blackskinwomen #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #allwhite #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
O’Natural | #TheArtHype . Not all my shoots are big productions. I typically try to just capture friends in moments of purity. It was great having my homie @the_odditty come by the studio to talk all things Naija. . Someone’s glow emits from their soul and it cannot be faked or recreated. It is in these moments that we show our true selves. . Check out my little sis, she has something to say. . Featuring: @the_odditty . . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #naturalhairstyles #naturalhair #makeportraits #okayafrica #peoplescreative #melanin #curlsunderstood #beautygirl #africanqueen #crwnmag #beautycounter#blackgirlmagic #natural #blackfashion #bellanaija #acreativedc #africanart #africanqueen #okayafrica #nomakeup #blackbeauty #africanstyle #exquisiteblackart #naturalhair #africanexcellence
God’s Plan | #TheArtHype . They say if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. . When I was 25 years old, I was in the prime of my enjoyment. I had my own house I bought at the age of 24 in Omaha, NE ( shout out to the Lincoln Lounge!) and I had just completed my Master’s Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership. You could not tell me anything. . I was working in higher eduction as Assistant Director of Admissions at a University and I saw a plan laid out for my life that would make me a Dean or Provost one day. I mean I come from a family of educators and physicians thats what we do. . Our plans are not our own. It is us to up to ask God to order our steps and seek guidance as major life decisions will truly affect our outcome in life. At the age of 27, I was in my house one day and I said “ I need to move back to Maryland.” My culture is so important to me and being around my cousins and fellow Nigerians was something that I wanted my family to have. As the age old phrase goes “ It takes a village. . It took 100 applications as an out of state applicant that brought me back to the DMV and subsequently changed my whole path in life. I reconnected with a friend from high school (@glowbytasha) my now wife at a wedding where her cousin was marrying my best friends sister. I always tell people go to weddings, but keep your eyes peeled if you are single. You may just be looking at your future wife. . Fast forward I am 36 year old artist, photographer and black entrepreneur with one of the hottest studios in Washington, D.C. with my partner @worldtravelingq . Haythem and I met at a Step Show in South Dakota, him stepping for the Ques and me for the Sigmas. There is no way I knew our paths would cross again, let alone go into business together. . Birthday Blessings . Continued. . Captured By: @ducdubois . . #portraitpage #blavity #shootingwithshooters #postthepeople #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #melanin #darkskin #visualauthority #musephoto #okayafrica #blackmensmile #melanin #african #blackboyjoy #dapper #gq #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #nycportraits #manhattan #gqstyle #blackbeauty #makeportraitsnotwar #bbc #darknslay
Hot Chocolate | #TheArtHype . I hadn’t linked with the sis @lukewarm.love in years she see moved back to Ghana. Was glad to catch her before she jet settled again and the magic ensues. . Fitting that I post this on Ghana’s Independence Day. The tones of your melanin will always remind everyone where home truly is. . Akwaaba 🇬🇭 . Featuring: @lukewarm.love . . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #bellanaijaweddings #postthepeople #makeportraits #okayafrica #peoplescreative #melanin #curlsunderstood #beautygirl #africanqueen #crwnmag #beautycounter#blackgirlmagic #africanautumn #blackfashion #bellanaija #acreativedc #africanart #africanqueen #okayafrica #portraitmood #blackbeauty #africanstyle #exquisiteblackart #naturalhair #africanexcellence
Resistance | #TheArtHype . “Melanin is understanding power and privilege. Little black girls and boys don’t understand the power in their melanin. Racism is systematic and it is deeply rooted on the fear of black skin. One of the great triumphs that we have is resistance. . All shapes of black are beautiful. Growing up in the Midwest, I was taunted for my skin tone. When people can’t see themselves in you they reject your presence. They learned like I did, that my power is in my grace.” . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @honeyb_ii . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #blackskinwomen #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #allwhite #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Bridge The Gap | #TheArtHype . Part One. . Very proud that my @moonmelanin project was celebrated by the @wibridgedc + @washinformer newspaper here in D.C. . Special thanks to the featured sillouhettes: @curryhackett + @ducdubois + @jpulchritude . Additional praise to @lafayetteiv for his production of this well thought out and locally focused newspaper. @the_monroeproject wrote up the story with sincerity and passion. Bless. . Part Two. . Very proud of my bro @districtdodger and his Celebration in the same issue. I was lucky enough to capture his imagery and appreciate the words by @squallapatton. . We are the story tellers. . All images shot at @capitalcitycollective_ 💯 . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #washingtondc #portraits #peoplescreative #washington_dc #moonbeams #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #thebridge #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #washingtoninformer #blackstories #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Love | #TheArtHype . “Black represents love. We go through struggles everywhere on this planet, but we respond in love. I carry myself with love, if we operate in this code our melanin will shine across the world. Love is me and I’m melanin.“ . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @shootersart . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #cameroon #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #allwhite #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Day Dreaming | #TheArtHype . What happens to a dream deferred? Does it dry up Like a raisin in the sun? Or fester like a sore-- And then run? Does it stink like rotten meat? Or crust and sugar over-- like a syrupy sweet? Maybe it just sags like a heavy load. Or does it explode? . by Langston Hughes . No longer are our dreams, hopes and desires limited. Our own destinies are truly in our hands. . I love that platforms such as @instagram allow us to see what is possible from creatives and talents all over the world. . Much love to my guy @lucky_peters featured above who is making his dreams come true. . His dreams shall come true and like Lucky says, “Thank you for watching.” . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #shootingwithshooters #postthepeople #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #melanin #darkskin #visualauthority #musephoto #okayafrica #blackmensmile #melanin #african #blackboyjoy #dapper #gq #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #nycportraits #manhattan #gqstyle #blackbeauty #makeportraitsnotwar #bbc #darknslay
Ninjutsu | #TheArtHype . Sometimes used interchangeably with the modern term ninpo, is the strategy and tactics of unconventional warfare, guerrilla warfare and espionage purportedly practiced by the ninja. . Chidi and I are ninjas in this industry. Trust me. @naruto aint got nothing on us. . Featuring: @chidi.mma . . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #naijababes #postthepeople #makeportraits #voguebrasil #blackbeauty #melanin #fashionable #beautygirl #africanqueen #crwnmag #baldandboujee #blackgirlmagic #essence #blackfashion #bellanaija #acreativedc #africanart #africanqueen #okayafrica #portraitmood #blackbeauty #africanstyle #sweater #leap #naruto
Snowball | #TheArtHype . The snow today reminded of the last time I stepped out to explore with the lens. . So much beauty in the simple things, I needed to remind myself that photography is really about the moment. . Talk a walk with me. . . . . . #basketball #blavity #shootingwithshooters #hoopdreams #moodyportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #basketballshoes #basketballcourt #snow #snowhooping #okayafrica #blackmensmile #melanin #snowball #moonlight #moonlightmovie #gq #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #darkpics #sportspictures #blackbeauty #makeportraitsnotwar #nightshift #court
Valentines | #TheArtHype . Throwback to @glowbytasha carrying our second son, Adesoji. . This was one of the most fun wedding we attended in 2018 and it was special celebrating with our friends @ayo_umude + @oliseemcee . I probably had more fun than @glowbytasha considering she was 8 months pregnant at the time. 🤦🏿‍♂️ . Happy 6th Valentine’s Day to my wife, thank you for being the queen you were meant to be and the mother of princes! . Featuring: @glowbytasha . . . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #bellanaijaweddings #postthepeople #makeportraits #okayafrica #peoplescreative #melanin #curlsunderstood #beautygirl #africanqueen #crwnmag #beautycounter#blackgirlmagic #africanautumn #blackfashion #bellanaija #acreativedc #africanart #africanqueen #okayafrica #portraitmood #blackbeauty #africanstyle #pregnantbelly #naturalhair #africanexcellence
Don’t Poke The Bear | #TheArtHype . Winter is here and I feel amazing. @worldtravelingq and I have an amazing space in @capitalcitycollective_ that is changing lives and building brands. . My @moonmelanin project has taken up a lot of my time and imthe stories that are being told are shaping the culture. . Create with a purpose. . When you poke the bear you get the claws. Claws are out and I’m coming for jugulars. . There is no completion. Everybody eats B! . Captured By: @jive.shot . . . . #portraitpage #blavity #shootingwithshooters #postthepeople #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #melanin #darkskin #visualauthority #musephoto #okayafrica #blackmensmile #melanin #african #blackboyjoy #dapper #gq #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #nycportraits #manhattan #gqstyle #blackbeauty #makeportraitsnotwar #bbc #darknslay
Fela | #TheArtHype . Happy Birthday to my little bro, who is not so little anymore. . I started talking to your sister when I was 27, sheesh now you are the same age! . Blessings and love as you embark on another year of this beautiful thungn we call life. . Birthday Boy: @fela___._ . . #portraitpage #blavity #shootingwithshooters #postthepeople #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #melanin #darkskin #visualauthority #musephoto #okayafrica #blackmensmile #melanin #african #blackboyjoy #dapper #gq #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #nycportraits #manhattan #gqstyle #blackbeauty #makeportraitsnotwar #birthdayboy #darknslay
Luminous | #TheArtHype . “I feel like I always have a bright light and aura around myself. It is not just concentrated in my skin. It’s surround me, I am light. . I grew an appreciation for my blackness when I attended an HBCU. I feel that my experience shifted my perspective on my melanin. . As an African I grew even tighter to my appreciation for African-Americans and our joint history. I feel obligated to champion my homeland and all the melanin in it.” . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @dunnieo . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #naija #blavity #shootingwithshooters #melaninqueen #makeportraits #portraits #african #darkskin #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #melaninmagic #melanin #glowup #glowbytasha #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Royalty | #TheArtHype . “Straight definition tip - our skin embodies royal blood from our ancestors and within a society of racism n wild ish, our skin is upheld to a certain status of beauty - i.e., people of no Melanin will lay out for hours on end to become darker. . Our skin and the Melanin within, strikes fear in hearts of those without it....we jive like sit at a table of straight ROYALTY straight off appearance, The Melanin Crown! . . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @alexander_jah . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #curlsforthegirls #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #glowbytasha #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Belle | #TheArtHype . “Melanin is beautiful and every word that relates to beauty. Pure beauty. . Throughout our history as a people, we have had all kinds of evil and derogatory terms attached to our identity, but I feel that melanin is that one word that says ‘ah yes’, this is my true identity, this is who I am!” . . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @estlouis . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #curlsforthegirls #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #glowbytasha #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Joy | #TheArtHype . “For me it’s regardless of what you go through in life, the skin that your in. You can still have full confidence that you know where you are from and you love your shade. Your skin is your badge of honor including the scars that come with it. Loving your complexion and the joy it’s brings the world.” . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @dothiseverydede . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #blackblack #blavity #shootingwithshooters #moonmelanin #makeportraits #portraits #peoplescreative #curlsforthegirls #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #pursuitofportraits #melanin #glowup #glowbytasha #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay
Radiance | #TheArtHype . The sun illuminates a richness on melanin that the moon enhances. When something is eternal it is forever. Melanin is persistent and has stood the test of time. Yes, we are radiant. . #MoonMelanin . Silhouette and Words: @jpulchritude . “Moon Melanin is a photo series that touches on the relationship between melanated people and the moonlight that illuminates us. The moon provides direct reflection of the sun and in this light we find aspects of us that have been kept in the shadows.” - @thearthype - . . . . . #naija #blavity #shootingwithshooters #melaninqueen #makeportraits #portraits #african #darkskin #lightskin #visualauthority #melaninpoppin #okayafrica #queensonlyy #melanin #african #moonlight #moonlightmovie #manymoons #okayafrica #melaninmagic #melanin #glowup #glowbytasha #blackbeauty #moonlightmagic #blackglow #darknslay