Matelli Graves

“Cornrows have been used in African culture for thousands of years to show status…now you’re seeing other cultures braiding their hair.”

Meet Matelli

Matelli Graves is a fashion and portrait photographer and cinematographer, based in Columbus, Ohio. Self-taught, he began shooting photos and video for friends, then decided to focus on a career in image-making. His work for clients such as Dior, Tommy Hilfiger, VSCO, ASOS, Henri Bendel, and others exudes confidence and cool.

For Adobe Stock, he focuses his lens on Black hair—specifically, cornrows. “Cornrows have been used in African culture for thousands of years to show status, then transition to holding food for Africans when they were transported to the States,” he says. “Now you’re seeing cornrows being used in fashion all over the world.” His project takes inspiration from the history, culture, and expressions of community through hair braiding and styling.

| matelligraves.com