karlton hood.

CONWAY, AR-2022.

I’m a girl dad…actually, an identical twin girls dad so that’s, that. Being a dad of two girls is really eye-opening because obviously I’m a man and don’t know what it’s like to be a woman. I like to sit and watch the girls tendencies develop to see their differences and the similarities that we all share. Although I’m in my early twenties, I’m still very much so learning and it’s refreshing to see my growth now stepping into fatherhood. I know see what my mother and grandparents experienced in raising my family. It’s difficult as fuck but not to the point where it would lead me to hang my hat and walk away like a lot of people do. I see beauty in this unknown territory, no matter the challenges.

Truthfully, I’m a bred city boy from St. Louis but I’ve lived in Conway, Arkansas majority of my life — certified country boi and I’m proud of it. One thing about me, I don’t hold my tongue for anyone, I say what needs to be said without caution. I was raised to always stand up for myself and truly own all aspects of me. I’ve always been outside the box, never conforming to anyones narrative - all of my family is like that. I’m built different and am nothing but grateful of the ways that my family molded me.

The epitome of Karlton is simplistic, deep, home-body who enjoys chillin and playing video games - this modeling thing what Kyra really nudged me into has never been for me. I work in construction, cutting concrete so stepping into this creativity is something new for me. But, when I see the feedback that I’ve received from previous shoots with Kyra and the amount of support my people give me, it has inspired me to take this further and actually see what can come out of this. At first, I thought this shit was simple — stand still, have a lil pose, and boom picture perfect…it’s so much more than that though. Each time I’m in front of a camera it just comes natural, like I’m supposed to be doing this - Kyra makes it easy.