Join Kieran Dodds’ Gingers of America Portrait Project in Oregon!
Redheaded Oregonians, your services are needed.
Kieran Dodds, a Scottish photographer, will be in Portland on Nov. 29 for his project called Gingers of America. He has taken portraits of redheaded individuals around the world for over ten years. His work culminated in a small art book, Gingers, published in 2020, and received attention from the BBC.
In 2024, Dodds is focusing on the U.S., starting in Portland just after Thanksgiving. If you want to be photographed, you can register on his website by clicking “Get Involved.” Even if you are not selected for a portrait, your name will be placed on Dodds’ anonymous Gingers of America map, showing where redheaded people live across the country.
Dodds, who identifies as a ginger, began his portrait project in Scotland in 2013 and later expanded it to Europe, Russia, and Jamaica. He enjoys discovering how the ginger gene appears in various cultures beyond just Scotch-Irish. He aims to reclaim the term “ginger,” which is often used in a negative way.
How has Kieran Dodds’ background in Scotland influenced his approach to documenting the ”ginger” experience in the United States?
An Interview with Kieran Dodds: Spotlighting the Ginger Experience in America
News Directory 3: Kieran, thank you for joining us today. You’re on a mission to celebrate redheaded individuals across the United States through your project, Gingers of America. What inspired you to focus on this demographic?
Kieran Dodds: Thank you for having me! The inspiration for this project comes from my own identity as a redhead and the experiences I’ve had growing up. The term “ginger” has often been used negatively, and I aim to reclaim it by showcasing the beauty and diversity of redheaded individuals through my photography.
News Directory 3: Your previous work spanned various parts of the world. How has your experience in Scotland influenced your current project in the U.S.?
Kieran Dodds: My journey started in Scotland where I noticed the connection of the ginger gene within different communities. Expanding into Europe, Russia, and Jamaica helped me see how varied and rich the ginger gene can be. Coming to America, I found a melting pot of cultures, and I’m excited to explore how the ginger gene manifests here too. The complexity of American culture is intriguing, which makes this journey particularly appealing.
News Directory 3: You’ve mentioned that you’ve already photographed individuals from 30 states and started your U.S. journey with Native American groups. What stories or experiences have resonated with you so far?
Kieran Dodds: Each person I photograph has a unique story that contributes to a collective narrative about redheads. For example, meeting individuals from Native American backgrounds allowed me to witness the intersection of identity and heritage in a new light. Their stories often reflect resilience, community, and pride, which I find incredibly compelling.
News Directory 3: You’re set to kick off the U.S. segment of your project in Portland after Thanksgiving. What are you hoping to achieve by putting a spotlight on redheaded individuals in this city?
Kieran Dodds: I’m eager to engage with the Portland community and illustrate how diverse the experiences of redheads can be. I hope to not only create beautiful portraits but also to highlight the commonalities among us, focusing on shared experiences rather than division. Portland has a rich cultural tapestry, and I believe there are many fascinating stories waiting to be told.
News Directory 3: For those interested in being a part of your project, how can they get involved?
Kieran Dodds: Interested individuals can visit my website and click on the “Get Involved” button to register for a portrait session. Even if selected candidates are limited, every participant’s name will be added to my anonymous Gingers of America map, which aims to illustrate the geographic spread of redheads across the country. It’s important for me that everyone feels included in this celebration.
News Directory 3: what does the term “ginger” mean to you, and how do you hope your project will reshape its perception?
Kieran Dodds: To me, “ginger” encapsulates a spectrum of hair colors and unique backgrounds. My project aims to challenge the negative connotations associated with the term by emphasizing the beauty and diversity of redheads. By telling their stories and presenting them through my lens, I hope to shift the perception from insult to appreciation, allowing people to see the richness of each individual narrative.
News Directory 3: Thank you, Kieran, for sharing your insights and passion with us. We’re looking forward to seeing the stories you capture here in Portland and beyond.
Kieran Dodds: Thank you! I can’t wait to meet and photograph more redheaded individuals and illuminate the beauty of our shared experiences.
“The term ‘ginger’ was often used as an insult while I was growing up,” Dodds says. “But it describes a range of colors from deep golden brown to strawberry blond. My work showcases the beauty of these individuals and tells their stories.”
So far, Dodds has photographed redheaded people from 30 states. He started his U.S. journey with Native American groups in Arkansas and Oklahoma. He finds the U.S. appealing because of its diverse and complex culture. He looks for subjects with interesting stories and takes time to interview them during photo sessions.
“It is refreshing to focus on commonalities rather than division,” Dodds adds.