It is estimated that just 1-2 percent of people worldwide have naturally red hair, making it a truly unique trait that will become a coveted selling point that stands out in a crowd—or, in some cases, invites criticism for being odd. The world would be more accepting if unusual hair colors were viewed as expressions of individuality rather than curiosity. All people, regardless of nationality or location, share the same DNA.

Kieran Dodds, a photographer from Scotland, has been making his way across the world for the past seven years, during which time he has met a variety of people who all share one characteristic: ginger hair. However, the project is not even close to being finished. It is about connecting individuals beyond political and cultural divides, using a rare goldthread, as Kieran stated earlier.

#1 From top left: Steven McKay, Esther, Rebecca (Mother), Chloe, Lois, and Abigail, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

Look, look and marvel. That’s the entire point. Dodds asks viewers to match the portraits and enjoy the variation even without an ostensibly cohesive group.

#2 Alexander Soued, Scotland, Born In 2011 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

Despite mostly visiting regions like Scotland and the Russian city of Perm, both considered hot spots of the ginger population, and Jamaica, with its complex genetic transmission, Kieran has uncovered unexpected discoveries in his photography project.

#3 Sveta Ni, Russia, Born In 1996 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

Although they couldn’t afford to travel much, their genes have spread widely throughout history (this was all self-funded). Dodds met gingers from all over the world in London, but he learned in Scotland that you don’t have-to-go very far to find a community of fellow lives. A Middle Eastern father and an Eastern European mother gave birth to two boys with Indian ancestry. He’s Scottish, but his life has broadened our understanding of what that political term may mean.

#4 Jordan DeLeon, Jamaica, Born In 2016 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#5 Nixie Connelly, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

A member of the Ni family, Sveta Ni, has claimed Chinese ancestry through her father. The earliest evidence of ginger in human history comes from western China, Afghanistan, and northwestern Pakistan. The mutation seems to have arrived in Jamaica with the Spanish conquistadors, French, English, and Scottish hordes that invaded the island and left their mark. Human nature seems to move in all directions over time.

#6 Photographer’s Daughters Izzy & Ada Dodds, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#7 Jamie Hallam, Scotland, Born In 2004 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#8 Lucy Fleming, Scotland, Born In 2005 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

Kieran’s twin daughters are featured in the final portrait of his book. To make them feel more at ease around one another. Only that they belong to a worldwide extended family with an epic history.

#9 Marteka Nembhard, Jamaica, Born In 2005 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#10 Photographer Kieran Dodds, Scotland, Born In 1980 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#11 Maya Duncan-Smith, Dundee, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#12 Gilad Belkin, Israel, Born In 1988 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#13 Pacey Young, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#14 Randy Wong, Jamaica, Born In 1988 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures

#15 Chris McCabe, Scotland 

Gingers Are Being Photographed Worldwide By A Photographer Who Has Been Doing It For Seven Years And Says It's Not Only Their Hair
Kieran Dodds/Panos Pictures
Cindy Westcott is originally from Canada and has a degree in hospitality and management. In the years since her graduation, she has continued to grow in her career and also works in the industry of travel and tourism! she also loved the field of event management and continues to fulfill her duties in the trade so far! In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes, reading, writing, online gaming, and exploring new destinations!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here