Ginger hair portraits show unexpected 'golden thread' connecting Americans

Photographer Kieran Dodds has dedicated the past ten years to an artistic obsession: capturing the diverse faces of people with red hair across the globe. Dodds, a self-described "proud ginger" from Edinburgh, Scotland, began this project in 2013, initially focusing on Scottish identity. His lens soon expanded to other regions known for red hair, like Russia and Jamaica, culminating in his 2020 book, "Gingers."

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I realised I didn't have any American citizens. Then all these people got in touch.

However, Dodds noticed a significant omission in his work – a lack of American subjects. This realization prompted him to turn his attention to the United States, a country he describes as a "microcosm" of the world. His latest endeavor, the book "Gingers of America," delves into the unexpected "golden thread" connecting Americans through their shared trait of red hair.

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I was like 'oh wow, of course, the whole world is in the States. It's a microcosm.'

A particularly captivating aspect of the project involves Native American individuals with red hair. Dodds was intrigued by a message from a Native American man, prompting him to explore the origins of this trait within these communities. The cover of his new book features Joshua Elliot from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Oklahoma. Elliot shared that his red hair might stem from German, English, and Swedish ancestry on his mother's side, while his father's side is Muscogee. He emphasizes that tribal identity is about community involvement, not just appearance.

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I found it very interesting and it made me think, 'where on earth did it come from?'

Dodds also photographed Lottie Wahkinney, a Comanche girl from Oklahoma with Scottish grandparents. Her father, Jared, explained that his mother was born and raised in Scotland, leading to Lottie's mixed heritage. Jared recounted experiences of being asked about traditional Native American attire upon visiting Scotland, humorously responding that he wears Nikes. The project underscores the complex and often surprising ancestral tapestries woven into the identities of Americans with red hair, revealing a shared heritage that transcends typical expectations.

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My mom's side has always been involved with the Muscogee tribe and traditions and I've grown up around it. Our chief's wife told me it's about your involvement in your community and your tribe, the people around you and what you put back into it. Which I really took to heart.