Malaysian photographer organizes an outstandingshoot titled ‘The Melanin Narrative’

by Susindhraseghar 29 September 2022

Series 2 of the The Melanin Narrative that consists of seven dark skinned individuals

Many people in South Asia have expressed their opposition to colorism, the praise of lighter skin, as skin lightening products are widely used and the oppression towards dark skinned people continues.

Photographer Daniel Adams, 26 and stylist, Vaneesha Krishnasamy, 28 are highlighting dark skin to overcome stereotypes of beauty.

Both of them, in collaboration with Adobe Stock, organized a photoshoot titled ‘The Melanin Narrative’ to highlight the intersectional struggles of dark skinned, queer, plus sized and disabled individuals in Malaysia and how they shine so brightly inpsite of it.

The shoot had three main serieses. The first series is called ‘Midnight Hues and Queer Culture’ that tells stories of dark skinned individuals from the queer community. The second series is called ‘Why, Is My Skin Too Dark?’ that tells stories of the oppressions faced by dark skinned individuals in Malaysia. And the third series is called ‘Dethreading The Onyx Suit’ that highlights the toxic masculinity faced by male individuals.

“We posted a model casting call for this shoot on our Instagram story and we received an overwhelming response by individuals with their experiences of being dark skinned in Malaysia,” Daniel said.

He adds that while light skinned and white talent is frequently the top pick for many corporations that concern beauty and fashion, beauty norms in Malaysia continue to be mostly mainstream and whitewashed.

“When I was going through the stories sent by hundreds of people who wanted to be part of our project, it really shocked me how dark skinned individuals have faced all kinds of negativity throughout their lives and that is when it reminded me of how important this project is,” Vaneesha said.

Daniel gathered over 35 dark skinned models with his team of wardrobe stylists and make-up artists and held the shoot at his residence and outdoors.

Vaneesha said that none of the models knew each other before the shoot and when they all met each other and chatted during the shoot, most of them had almost identical experiences of the prejudice they faced being a dark skinned individual.

Since Adobe Stock is part of this project, Vaneesha adds that a diverse range of dark skinned Malaysians can be on an international platform too and hopes that future Malaysian talent agencies can recruit dark skinned models for advertisements and brands.

Daniel and Vaneesha believe that this project would inspire Malaysians to recognise the inherent beauty of people with dark complexion and to develop in dark-skinned people a stronger feeling of self-esteem that will elevate them.