Photographer Kennedi Carter Pursues Excellence After Beyonce Shoot for British Vogue

Beyoncé's Fashion Power Punch by Kennedi Carter in Vogue UK December 2020 AOC Fashion British Vogue Fashion Story

In December 2020 photographer Kennedi Carter unseated British Vogue photographer David Bailey as the youngest image-maker ever to shoot a Vogue cover. Bailey held the honor since 1961. Carter took over at age 21, shooting Beyoncé' in all her glory.

Already on a rising trajectory propelled by excellence, the Durham, North Carolina, native who went to Texas and back again to NC hasn’t looked back. Carter finds herself reflective about the events happening around her, without embracing an Icarus mentality that takes her too close to the sun.

Beyoncé Covers British Vogue December, Lensed by Kennedi Carter AOC Fashion Beyonce Covers for British Vogue

AOC catches up with Kennedi Carter in this late May 2021 New York Times Style profile The Next Image Makers featuring Kennedi Carter, 22; Quil Lemons, 23; and Ahmad Barber, 30, and Donté Maurice, 26, who work together as AB+DM.

Anne of Carversville has been ‘woke’ since its inception in 2007. Reading Ahmad Barber’s comments in the Times article, I couldn’t agree more with his words. We have no guarantee that this trajectory will continue. American history is fraught with a reality of two steps forward, one and even three steps back on the road of social justice in America. At this point in time, Barber’s quote is factually correct from AOC’s POV:

NYT Question: The great “racial reckoning” of June 2020 created a pathway for historic firsts, including the use of young Black photographers for glossy magazine covers. How has it affected your working experience?

Ahmad Barber We’re using these opportunities to defy the odds — working from the south, like we do and Kennedi does, or even being so young and working from New York and Los Angeles like Quil. It’s no longer about “taking a chance.” It’s just “they’re qualified, they’re great.” We’ve all created undeniable work. It’s top tier work. It’s not about my Blackness or my identity. The work speaks for itself.