But it doesnt have to be this way.

Cameron Reed:Its always been Black people [that Ive photographed].

Black people invested in me… and that’s why I appreciate capturing them.

three portraits of black people with welllit skin

I don’t use any lights.

I don’t use a setup.

All I use is my reflector and the sunlight.

portrait of a person with eyes closed and holding their hands up to their face. they have long curly hair and are…

Cameron Reed

I use vintage edits all the time.

That never changes the skin color.

Study people likeTyler Mitchell, [who] is my biggest inspiration.

portrait of a person sitting on a brick road wearing a sheer white dress that is spread out on the street

Cameron Reed

Study how the tones [in his photos] are, study how he captures the light.

Watch the videos he has.

Some may offer a class or post videos that go behind the scenes on how they shoot.

portrait of a person covering the side of their face and head with their hand wearing many large gold rings

Cameron Reed

If you know that a photo is bad, then don’t put it out there.

It’s a trust system.

If the model can’t trust the photographer, then it’s not going to be a good photoshoot.

portrait shot from above of a person with short blonde curly hair wearing blue sunglasses and a blue and white jumpsuit

Cameron Reed

A lot of times, well be shooting [all the models] in the same exact lighting prefs.

Allure: Is the preparation and setup for a shoot different when the subject has darker skin?

JH:I think my most important advice would be more about the editing process.

portrait of a person standing in front of a blue sky with eyes closed peacefully. they wear a yellow button down shirt…

Jacq Harriet

[You may] also [be] trying to bring back more detail.

JH:My style does tend to go a bit bright overall on all skin tones.

The subjects separate from a softer background and become the focal point.

portrait of a person wearing a periwinkle turtleneck and white beret

Jacq Harriet

MYLES LOFTIN

Allure:What kind of stories do you like to tell through your photography?

Myles Loftin:My subjects are typicallyBlack and brown peopleor anybody that comes from a marginalized background.

That’s where my work steps in.

full length photo of a person posing against a white background with hands raised to their shoulders looking to the…

Jacq Harriet

I especially like to focus on the highlights of Black skin.

I love when it’s soft natural light and you get those really nice highlights on the face.

[Also] making sure the skin looks really even-toned.

portrait of comedian ziwe holding a magnifying glass up to one eye. she wears a brown and black fur coat and winged liner.

Myles Loftin

Some people have blue undertones, some people have yellow and red.

Allure: Do you have any special techniques when it comes to editing?

I typically go in Lightroom or Photoshop and enhance that.

portrait of a shirtless person with a green and white mohawk and wearing paisley pants leaning with one arm against a…

Myles Loftin

ML:Most of my work has some sort of positive feeling about it.

I don’t really photograph my subjects in a somber mood or use many cool tones.

I don’t even really shoot black and white.

portrait of model aaron phillips wearing a black strapless top with large round sequins surrounded by thin black and…

Myles Loftin

It’s honestly just what I gravitate towards more.

Allure:What is your favorite part about photographing Black and brown people?

ML:It’s a different jot down of energy on set.

portrait of a person with long ombre locs partially obscured through a green leaf. they wear a tan fleece coat.

Myles Loftin

It’s a whole different vibe.

Interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.