feature: “idols of the tribe ” – atlanta based photographer cooper penn explores identity with latest editorial

Take a look at the new editorial from Atlanta based photographer Cooper Penn, ‘Idols of the Tribe’ (featuring models Julian Greene and Karen Rampersad, and the hair designs of Iman Atiba). Talking about the striking portraits, Cooper Penn states: “How we choose to identify ourselves often categorizes us. In many first world cultures, especially in the USA, we do not stay in the environment we were raised in. We often find ourselves alone, searching for an identity separate from our immediate family. Hairstyles, clothing, ideals, and the like, are all aspects of society that we willingly expose ourselves to in order to connect with similar people. No matter the race, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status–those people are part of your tribe. Idols of the Tribe is an exploration of identity. Though this is planned as an ongoing project, these images represent two black Americans and their search for “tribe”. Explore below.

By Alexander Aplerku, AFROPUNK Contributor

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Credits

Photographer:  Cooper Penn www.cooperpenn.com @cooperslight