Kirk Edwards Photography
Kirk’s respectful interest for hula and his fond appreciation for the Hawaiian Islands began when he married a local girl from Oahu over a decade ago. Having danced as a young child, his wife’s love for Hula, the importance of the Aloha spirit and her pride for her home inspired Kirk to begin “The Hula Project”.
“The Hula Project” is an exploration of the spiritual integrity of the hula and its significant relationship to nature. The concept was to capture the strength and grace of the dancer and their intimate connection and correlation to the diverse power and beauty of their surroundings at its most basic.
By shooting in black and white, the photographs are stripped of modern day filters and the distractions of digital effects, creating timeless images. Shot strictly in natural light, Kirk honors the sincerity of the dancer, capturing the grace and realness of his subject. The dancer is featured independently to acknowledge the importance and the significance behind the movement. However, the inclusion of landscapes and flowers is essential to give context, revealing the power associated with such grace, and the delicacy of its form to communicate stories throughout generations.
Kirk Edwards was born and raised in Iowa. He moved to New York in 2000 and gained a wide range of experience assisting some of the best photographers in adventure photography, fashion and portraiture. In 2008, Kirk created a name for himself shooting international fashion and commercial work, all the while working on his personal passion, exploring the world of environmental portraiture.
Combining his innovative knowledge of lighting with his elegant eye for detail, Kirk’s work is known to unveil the genuine beauty and the essence of the environment while respectfully capturing the true raw emotion and integrity of his subject.
Kirk has been honored as one of American Photo’s 10 Best Young Photographers in America. He has also been privileged to have been recognized as PDN Photo Annual Winner for Corporate Design/Photo Projects, Website Design, & Faces Competition.
