Creative Soul

Colors That Pop Off the Page

By Daniela Cintron

Published April 1, 2025

In Atlanta’s ever-evolving creative landscape, Regis and Kahran Bethencourt of Creative Soul Photography have carved out a space that celebrates Black culture with bold, maximalist visuals. Known for their striking, imaginative portraits of Black children and families, their work exudes color, heritage and pride. Featured in the “Colors of Atlanta” documentary, the husband-and-wife duo shares how their art not only reflects the city’s vibrant culture but also influences the way Black beauty is represented around the world.

From Long-Distance Pixels to a Full-Color Love Story

Creative Soul Photography was born from an unexpected creative connection. The couple met online on a graphic design message board, long before “sliding into DMs” was a thing. At the time, Kahran was living in Oregon; Regis in Maryland. 

“When we did the long-distance relationship, we would take photos of each other until the next time we got to see each other,” Kahran recalls with a laugh. Little did they know that these sentimental snapshots would spark a passion for photography.

When they eventually settled in Atlanta, their love of documenting family moments evolved into a business. 

“We were always taking photos of our family. We were kind of like the designated family historians,” Kahran says. It all started humbly in her mother’s garage, a space that became the launch pad for a creative empire.

Atlanta: The City that Influences Everything

For the Bethencourts, Atlanta is their muse. 

“There’s that saying that Atlanta influences everything, right? And it definitely does,” Kahran says. 

Whether it’s the hairstyles, street fashion or the pulse of HBCU culture, the city’s essence is woven into their work.

In their recent photo shoot for “Colors of Atlanta,” the couple aimed to capture the city’s spirit in a single image. Inspired by iconic visuals from Atlanta’s hip-hop history, they conceptualized a shoot with a young Black girl holding a peach (a nod to Georgia’s identity) in front of Clark Atlanta University Stadium, Kahran’s alma mater.

The details were carefully curated to pay homage to the city’s culture. 

“Roller skates,” Kahran points out, referencing Atlanta’s thriving skate scene, “are big with our culture.”

To add an extra layer of authenticity, they collaborated with local artist Melissa Mitchell, who customized the skates with colors inspired by Atlanta’s sports teams.

Bold, Maximalist and Vibrantly Black

The couple’s signature style is defined by fearless color and unapologetic celebration of Blackness. 

“On darker skin tones, I love to see color. I want you to see the vibrancy in our work,” Kahran explains.

Whether through extravagant hair sculptures, couture-inspired costumes or richly saturated backgrounds, their images command attention.

“Sophisticated Soul” and “Glory” is one of their most iconic series, providing stunning examples of their visual storytelling. “Glory,” in particular, was a love letter to heritage and culture, celebrating Black children as royalty, wearing their “invisible crowns” with regal confidence.

Their work has garnered international attention, challenging mainstream beauty standards and redefining how Black children are portrayed in the media. Each portrait tells a story of pride, resilience and imagination.

Art in the Face of Adversity

Creative Soul’s commitment to artistic excellence is evident in how the two adapt to challenges. During the “Colors of Atlanta” photo shoot, a car accident damaged the vintage Cadillac they planned to use as a pivotal prop for the shoot. But the couple quickly adjusted. They improvised with props, lighting and post-processing creativity, using apple boxes and Photoshop to simulate the car’s presence.

“The main thing for us right now is just to have as many options to play around with in post-process,” Kahran says.

Telling Atlanta’s Story through their Lens

The Bethencourts’ work featured in “Colors of Atlanta” encapsulates Atlanta’s rich history, creative energy and cultural pride. Their dedication to capturing Black beauty in all its forms makes their photography both a visual feast and a powerful narrative tool.

Learn more about other talented photographers featured on “Colors of Atlanta” and watch the TV series.

Daniela is the content manager and bilingual editor for Discover Atlanta. As an award-winning bilingual journalist, she is passionate about shinning light on untold stories about culture, food and Atlanta.