Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds has spent a decade documenting people with red hair, a project that eventually led him to the United States. While his previous work focused on global hotspots, he discovered that America acts as a massive, diverse melting pot for the ginger phenotype.
Dodds highlights how red hair often functions as a golden thread connecting individuals from vastly different backgrounds. Through his latest book, Gingers of America, he showcases subjects such as Joshua Elliot from the Muscogee Nation and Lottie Wahkinney, a Comanche girl with Scottish heritage. These stories illustrate how historical migration and intermarriage have woven European ancestry into diverse American families.
While most subjects can trace their hair color to ancestral roots, some cases remain mysterious. Lakia, a young Cherokee girl with no known European lineage, displays a unique deep ruby hair color that intrigued the photographer. Similarly, in Alabama, Dodds found families reflecting the nation’s complex history regarding race and identity, including individuals with mixed African-American, indigenous, and European backgrounds.
Dodds estimates that roughly 4% of the American population carries the genetic markers for red hair. By documenting these individuals, he aims to show that despite political divisions, the country is comprised of interconnected, vibrant communities. His project ultimately presents an optimistic view of American diversity.
