GHANAIAN BEAUTY

This series is the result of an exquisite meeting of minds and collaboration between Esther, the model, me (Naomi Estment) as the photographer, and gifted mixed media artist Sara Sîan, who commissioned the shoot. The purpose was to create original images for her to paint, and potentially add fabric on the head wrap sections of her artworks, as well as gold leaf effects. She guided the style and mood, inspired by her vision to showcase and celebrate African culture and the Goddess in every woman. This resonates deeply with the core intention of my photography, which is to show women unequivocally how uniquely beautiful they are. Our shoot took place on a magical Saturday morning in my and my husband's studio in Johannesburg, South Africa, where we collectively created alchemy. May this Ghanaian Beauty series inspire those who see it to internalize the wisdom in these words by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Pretty is something you’re born with. But beautiful, that’s an equal opportunity adjective.” With special thanks to artist Sara Sîan and our model Esther, who was referred to us by the Randburg branch of Figures Models South Africa.