feature: nyc-based photographer jalese ayana brings vintage vibes to instagram portrait photography

NYC-based photographer Jalese Ayana is one of my favorite portrait artists using Instagram and Tumblr as creative platforms right now. What sets her work apart from some of her contemporaries, for me, is the aesthetic callback to the 1970s through her use of warmer color palettes (think mustards, rich reds, and browns) and the unapologetic, space-taking natural afros on many of her models. All of that combined with Ayana’s ability to translate her vision as a creative into images that accessible to her viewers. Check out some of my favorites down below.

Model: Alyssa Jones

Model: Binka

Nneka E. Ibeabuchi

Model: Kyemah McEntyre

Model: @damonstcloud

Models: Omar Seda

Model: @randomshane

www.instagram.com/leesythooo
www.leesytho.com

*Erin White is an Atlanta-based writer and AFROPUNK’s editorial and social media assistant. You can follow her on Tumblr or friend her on Facebook. Have a pitch or an inquiry? Shoot her an email at erin@afropunk.com.