(Courtesy Eunique Jones Photography)
(Courtesy Eunique Jones Photography)
LANHAM, Md. -- A photographer outside our nation's capital is changing the way some Americans see black history, one portrait at a time.
Each day during Black History Month, Eunique Jones Gibson is releasing a portrait of young black children in the shoes of historic black figures.
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The online photo campaign, "Because of Them, We Can," began Feb. 1 with a portrait of her 4 year old, Chase Gibson, channeling Muhammad Ali.
Jones Gibson said she wanted to show her sons how their opportunities and her own stem from the contributions of those who came before them and those still paving the way.
"Just the fact that we have an African-American president, that they too can sit in those shoes," she said. "You have a rich history. You can be the next Barack Obama, Muhammad Ali. You can pave your own way."
Her photos highlight history makers past and present. On Feb. 7, she featured a mini-Kerry Washington, the first African-American actress to play a leading role on television since Diahann Carroll.
"We've done so many positive things and are still doing so many positive things," Jones Gibson said. Still, she said media and social media often spotlight negativity.
"Looking up #BlackHistoryMonth on Instagram, I saw very negative posts by people of other races," she said. "If we don't put out images that are contrary to the things you may see in the news or social media, that will be what some people see in their minds."
"Everyone says a picture is worth 1,000 words," she said. "What can you really say? What do you want to deliver?"
Jones Gibson primarily focuses on lifestyle and wedding photography. She said she was first inspired to do more with her craft after the murder of Trayvon Martin. "I saw the opportunity to speak through images," she said, creating a photo campaign called "I Am Trayvon Martin." "Your gifts can shed light on issues or things our children need to know about."
For more of her work, visit www.euniquejonesphoto.com or follow her Facebook or Instagram.