This is sAsy Shutters photography's first installment of three for Sheena Alexander's Her Crown project.
When Sheena decided to embark on this project there were no political thoughts or agenda. Sheena wanted to highlight black women and the various ways we get to wear our hair. Braids, faux locs, locs, afros, twist out, bantu knots, bone straight, and many more that haven't been mentioned. All of these are different ways we as black women wear our hair, and find pride in ourselves.
Sure, we do what needs to be done to be "presentable" but the audacity we conjure up to do what has for so long been taboo; that's what Sheena Alexander is now after. Rocking her hair in whatever style that suits her.
Very recently, Sheena applied for a job and was asked to sit for an interview. She remembers a time she would make sure her hair was straight and "neat" to ensure Sheena put the best foot forward. But not this time. This time Sheena chose to wear her curly hair in a twist out. Sheena felt the most comfortable in her skin and rocked the interview. Did Sheena's hair play a role in her success? Maybe. Sheena felt like she belonged in the space and was ready for the next adventure.
Sheena Alexander's standard of beauty is no longer limited by what is acceptable to someone else but what makes her happy from the inside out. Will Sheena wear it straight from time to time? Absolutely! But her twist out, curly fro, faux locs, braids are also a part of what Sheena now deem to be "presentable" and "neat."
Meet the beautiful Alea.
Sheena Alexander met Alea for the first time a few months ago for her college grad session. One of the first things she noticed about her was how gorgeous her complexion is. Like, chocolate is clearly a new favorite color with anything that compliments it! She had such poise and confidence that she wanted to highlight one day. So, Sheena reached out to Alea for this project. sAsy Shutters photography had one stipulation for all models, keep your make-up simple. She wants this to be solely about your crown and your finessed natural beauty.
After the session, Sheena asked each woman what her crown means to her. Alea said "my crown means acceptance. When I locked my hair, it was the first time in a while that I felt comfortable in my own skin. It is my way of showing the world that I'm proud of who I am."
Is that not what we all want? To feel comfortable in our skin.
Check out sAsy Shutters photography favorite images from Alea's session!
Then she spoke with Creshona, lovingly known as "Tootie." She said "my crown means confidence. It's an expression of who I am. It's something that no one can take from me. It speaks for me, even when I don't say anything. Its confidence, elegance, and simply one of the things that make me who I am."
Check out this collection of sAsy Shutters photography favorite images from Tootie's session!
Before you go don't forget to mark you calendars for 3/19/24. Pre-booking will be open for sAsy Shutters Photography spring/summer series.
What's your standard of beauty? How have you embraced your crown? sAsy Shutters photography would love to hear from you in the comments.
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