Creative Soul Photography: Redefining Black Magic

With their elegant, artistic, high-class and couture images, photographers Kahran and Regis Bethencourt are redefining the notion of black magic.

Their images, positive and uplifting, help bridge an important representation gap in the fashion and beauty industries. Specializing in lifestyle photography, they especially enjoy visual storytelling. “We love telling stories,” Kahran said in a Rolling Out Magazine interview. “So we love photographs that allow the viewer to dig deeper into that person’s story and feel the emotion the subject was feeling at that point and time.” Instead of falling prey to society’s typical connotation with blackness, the Bethencourts have used photography to not only create their own artistic magic but to showcase the magic-like characteristics of young black models. Whether focusing on skin color, hair texture, neighborhoods or certain time periods, Kahran and Regis Bethencourt are out to show the word just how beautiful black is.  

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Boris Kodjoe: Handling Hollywood

Boris Kodjoe is all over Hollywood. He began acting on television’s The Steve Harvey Show and almost immediately jumped into movies after that. You can see him on the films Love & Basketball, Brown Sugar and most recently, he played in part of the Resident Evil franchise. Kodjoe is also well- known for his looks. The man is gorgeous and it’s no secret. He’s managed to keep afloat in the uncertainty of Hollywood, but that let’s us know that one thing is absolute: it’s hard work. It’s not just about getting by on your looks.

“I have to be very disciplined because the hours are ridiculous. We shoot 12 to 14 hours a day. To do all that physical stuff yourself, you have to be on a nutritional plan. I have six or seven meals a day. I eat every hour and a half, and make sure it’s all clean. I have absolutely no sugar at all,” Kodjoe explained to media, technology and entertainment site Collider about his role in the TV show “Undercovers.”

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Tim Rees: Rees’ Pieces

For many people, finding a place that's peaceful and serene is the goal. They want to live in a place where the fast paced, often chaotic city life is distant. There will probably be a bit of a culture shock that comes with the move depending on how you've lived, but for peace of mind it's worth it. As an artist, sometimes your peace is the best thing for you and it will reflect through your work. Tim Rees is a painter who is originally from Arizona, but found his peace in a unique place.

Rees currently lives outside of the U.S. in Pembrokeshire, which is located in the southwest part of Wales. He dwells inside of a yurt, which are tent like houses traditionally used to house nomads for the convenience of being able to get up and go. Not the most conventional home in 2018, but judging by the way he continued on about his home away from home, you get the sense that he loves it in Pembrokeshire. 

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Julia Michaels: Behind the Scenes

Songwriters have long been the driving force behind the music industry. Their creativity, motivation and desire to be completely vulnerable shapes songs on the music charts that range from top 40 to Alternative. Songwriters are the foundation of the music industry. Their tireless efforts are usually unrecognized in favor of the performers. However, singer-songwriters are not  easily overshadowed, they are a part of a the package deal.. Rising singer-songwriter Julia Michaels exemplifies both characteristics with the rise of her hit single “Issues.” She finally stepped from behind the scenes after years of writing for other artists to show the world her beautiful voice. The songstress was born in a small town in Iowa before moving to Santa Clarita, California when she was six years old. Michaels, originally named Julia Carin Cavazos, is of Mexican-Puerto Rican background. Her father changed his name to John Michaels at the advice of a casting agent when he pursued his acting career in the early 90s. She kept the surname Michaels as a stage name.  

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Liam Neeson: Gratia

Actions shape our world. The decisions of goodwill and grace as well as malevolent choices affects all outcomes. In the same manner, action movies revolve around choices. The main character is often presented with an issue, and has to make a decision on which path to take towards a solution. Action movies are more than just mindless violence, most contain plots of moral dilemmas. Critically-acclaimed actor Liam Neeson is one of the most prominent action movie stars in Hollywood. However, to consider him just an action star in thoughtless films is egregious. His films directly reflect his feelings towards life and its’ machinations as well as his faith, “We really had to strip away the layers and really confront yourself in what your real beliefs are. I certainly did, didn't come away with any answers...I'm still questing, let's put it that way," he explained to CNN about his role in the film Silence. Neeson’s movies represent important themes such as tragedy, religion and most importantly life and death. Neeson's quiet dignity and grace enhances moviegoers’ experience in any film he stars in. Although he has lived a life full of major film and personal successes, we should note his accomplishments beyond the silver screen.

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