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Photographer IG- @sancho.smalls @sanchosmalls

IG: @alanaamayajanuary

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IG: @alanaamayajanuary

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As an artist I’ve always resisted the title “photographer”, for some reason I thought it questioned the validity of all of the other mediums I use to create. That notion held me back from expressing and creating fully for 3 years. That being said, I have started the daunting process of learning film photography. So far it’s been an exciting and rewarding process. Film has already removed the instant gratification provided by digital and brings me closer to my handmade and crafts roots. In the end embrace every form of creation and always push yourself out of your comfort zone. . Models - @iizidlaury, @jas_vines If you’re interested being guided through the serenity and chaos that is learning film photography I highly suggest @cdemeritt ‘s B/W film class at @thelightfactory In Charlotte. . https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwf7RROBJMO/?igshid=enakpu7j9od

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It’s not Thursday but here’s a throwback to one of my favorite shoots of all time featuring model @i_am_justino. The location, stylist, model and light all were all aligned for this moment. Styled by myself and the amazing @dressmemadison . https://www.instagram.com/p/BwkyJzbBM3H/?igshid=2s1e1gctrz0h

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I hate to ride a 🌊 but I will ride a 🐎. @milikkashad and I decided to throw our hat in the ring for the western vibes challenge! Who wants next?? . . . https://www.instagram.com/p/BwlGIVIBTPJ/?igshid=rrjnbkm4furt

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the album isn’t good. i am a free thinker. have never EVER followed the crowd. and am able to effectively detach the artist from their latest work.

for me, Solange has carved a presence within the Hollywood paradigm that seamlessly attaches to this new movement of individuals who do not identify themselves by the standards set forth in mainstream society. she very intentionally packages her projects in wrappings that intertwine the fibers of high art, black lives, women empowerment & undertones of what i like to call: psychedelic soul.

however, if being one hundred percent honest, i am quite disappointed in Solange’s latest, “WHEN I GET HOME” offering. the album as a whole is missing the solid hooks, melodies, choruses & background harmonies that made me truly appreciate the rich textures evident in her predecessor.

Solange’s latest music release is nothing more to me than a pretentious, minimalistic ode to avant-garde sound — a baseless project that would be dragged for all unholy filth had it been delivered by Teyana Taylor, Faith, Mya, Ashanti, Lil Mo, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys or any other belle of the R&B or soul landscape.

let’s just be honest with ourselves for five minutes…

aside from the layered promise evident in her outstanding inclusion of “Dream”, the rest of the barely there records shaping “WHEN I GET HOME”, are lacking in clear song structure. Solange not only abandons the core lyricism & solid experimental urban flare of her Grammy deserving, “SEAT AT THE TABLE” album, but she lacks pure conviction in any sense of vocal delivery on what are labeled the “songs” of this new era.

i was definitely expecting a non-traditional vibe from Solange when marketing began to land late last week, but i was not prepared for Pandora mood music packaged under the guise of a real, promoted LP.

i have been listening to Solange’s latest works since it’s midnight release on March 1, 2019. i think it was genius for her to pair what she knew would be the first listens of her bits-n-pieces project with the relaxed, zoned out atmosphere of bedtime hours. a midnight release rightfully paralleled the moon & stars vibe of every track.

otherwise, the material that comprises “WHEN I GET HOME” falls into the pedestrian rhythm of ironing & folding clothes on a Sunday type music.

the ultimate truth is… Solange gets by on her ability to hide behind the perceived idea of being this high priestess of incense depth & fragile eccentricities. the public has bought into her newfound persona & try hard efforts of being so far left of her contemporaries that releasing an album filled with quiet noise would still receive praise from cattle consumers of america.

but no other thirty something female artist or performer of our generation would be given a ground level pass to release this type of weak & fragile material as a solid body of studio work in the music industry of RIGHT NOW! nobody.

this is the public … buying into the act & dictatorship of “we love & embrace our WOKE sista, because this is what everyone else around me is highlighting as cool, mattering, messaging ART”.

it’s much like the hype surrounding our beloved Frank Ocean — remove the entity from the music, place the recordings without visuals on its own mantel & still try to love it for real. we possibly … would not.

and no one is willing or wanting to admit this truth. at least not publicly.

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Kish By Kish FW 2018 Lookbook

Kish by Kish Fw Lookbook - Charlotte, NC - 10.18

Designer - Kish by Kish (IG @kishbykish)

Photographer & Set Designer - Chris Smalls (IG @casmallsdesign)

Models- Fiona ( IG @fifi-girl) , Annick (IG @annickstopstime)

"KISH is a New York born designer based out of Charlotte, NC. Her artistic creations convey a sense of modern glamour and coolness. Each piece is made by her hands and deeply imbued with her distinctive taste. Made for independent women with a strong sense of style, each design captures the essence of individuality. Graceful silhouettes with edge drive the collection of dresses and stylish separates. "  -- Bykish.com

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Kish by Kish FW 2018

Kish by Kish Fw 2018 Lookbook - Charlotte, NC

Designer - Kish by Kish (IG- @kishbykish

Images & Set - Chris Smalls (IG- @casmallsdesign)

Models- Fiona Rose (IG @fifi_girl), Annick (IG @annickstopstime)

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Aesthetic Exploration. Color. Composition. Subject. ▫️ Model- @emory_hm Stylist- @iamlarryleestyles . . . #charlotte #naturalhair #clt #afripunk #noda #chatlottefashion #aesthetic #naturalmen #afro #nyc #fashion #charlottemodel #photography #blackmodel #blackboy #blackfashion #art #blackboyjoy #colorstudy #nyfw #lfw #blackmodels #darkskin #charlottephotographer #melanin #fashionphotography #menswear #photoshoot #artschool (at Charlotte, North Carolina)

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Tony Thornburg by Kenneth Lam for South China Morning Post 

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😂😂😂😂

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Lookbooks. Grace Bol. Paula Mendoza SS17. Images by Tigres Escobar.

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Editorials. Liza Silva.  Vogue Brasil. November 2016.  Images by Daniel Mattar.

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Thorncrown Chapel |  Arkansas  

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YAS IT’S BACK