With just 1-2% of the world’s population boasting natural red hair, this unique attribute stands out as a truly exceptional and desirable feature, setting individuals apart in a crowd. Unfortunately, in some cases, it has also been subject to mockery due to its rarity. Yet, if we perceive uncommon hair colors as a celebration of individuality rather than an anomaly, we can foster a more compassionate and understanding world, acknowledging the shared DNA that unites us all, transcending borders.
Over the course of seven years, Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds embarked on an extraordinary journey, traveling across the globe to meet and photograph people who share one common feature—their vibrant ginger hair. However, his project goes far beyond merely capturing hair. For Kieran, it’s a profound exploration of connections between people across political and cultural boundaries, threading them together with the rare and precious essence of gold. Through his lens, he unveils a powerful message about unity and the beauty that lies beyond physical appearances.
#1 Clockwise: Steven Mckay, Esther, Rebecca (Mother), Chloe, Lois and Abigail, Scotland
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
Look, stare and marvel, that’s the entire point. Dodds invites people to match the portraits and enjoy the variety even without an apparently homogenous group.
#2 Alexander Soued, Scotland, Born In 2011
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
Kieran has made interesting discoveries in his photography project, although he mainly traveled across places that are considered hot spots of the ginger population like Scotland and the Russian city of Perm, and also Jamaica, with complex genetic inheritance.
#3 Sveta Ni, Russia, Born In 1996
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
These genes have traveled far across history even though they personally haven’t, due to constraints on money (this was all self-funded). In London, Dodds met gingers from across the planet, but in Scotland, he saw that you simply don’t have to travel far. One boy had an Indian great-grandfather and another had an Eastern European mother and Middle Eastern dad. He’s Scottish, but his story expands our expectations of that narrow political term.
#4 Jordan DeLeon, Jamaica, Born In 2016
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#5 Nixie Connelly, Scotland
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
Sveta Ni, said her father’s family had a Chinese descent. Western China, Afghanistan, and North Pakistan had the oldest recorded ginger mutation in history. Spanish conquistadors, French, English, and Scottish groups of invaders have seemed to bring the mutation along with them into Jamaica who have left their legacy behind. Over time, flows of human nature are seen all over the world.
#6 Photographer’s Daughters Izzy & Ada Dodds, Scotland
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#7 Jamie Hallam, Scotland, Born In 2004
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#8 Lucy Fleming, Scotland, Born In 2005
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
Kieran has dedicated his book to his twin daughters, who have the last portrait within the book. So that they won’t feel like they are strangers. Just that they are a part of a bigger family with a larger story in the world.
#9 Marteka Nembhard, Jamaica, Born In 2005
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#10 Photographer Kieran Dodds, Scotland, Born In 1980
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#11 Gilad Belkin, Israel, Born In 1988
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#12 Pacey Young, Scotland
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#13 Randy Wong, Jamaica, Born In 1988
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
#14 Chris McCabe, Scotland
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
