Casket Sharp Casket Ready

As an editorial photographer specializing in fashion and storytelling steeped in cultural nuances, I recently completed a portrait series titled “Casket Sharp. Casket Ready.” This project was inspired by a colloquialism rooted in Southern Baptist churches, where “casket sharp” refers to being impeccably dressed, with the morbid undertone that the attire is fit for one’s funeral. This concept, deeply embedded in the African American community, carries a blend of dark humor and resilience in the face of systemic oppression—reflecting the enduring struggle to maintain dignity and self-expression despite adversity.

Through this series, my goal was to spark meaningful dialogue around the ever-present awareness of the precariousness of Black lives in America. By capturing these portraits, I aimed to create a space where the complexities of our shared experience—shaped by the constant threat of loss and the pursuit of self-affirmation—could be explored and understood. Now, with the project complete, it stands as an invitation to open up conversations about this taboo.