"Chelsy & Melissa"
REDHEADS NOTE ONE ANOTHER on the street. We check each other’s freckle distribution and eye color. And while no redhead goes unnoticed in any room, it is only another redhead who notices these exact details. Rare as we are, we are always on the lookout for another of our breed. Maybe it’s because we’ve heard so many sentences that begin, “Typical redhead, you’re so….” Artists have always noticed us, too, and though perhaps the artist who loved us most was Pre-Raphaelite painter Dante Gabriel Rosetti, an artist we adore these days is photographer Julia Baum, who, for nearly two years, has been working on a portrait series called “A Rare Breed,” consisting entirely of natural redheads (like herself).
“I am the only person in our family with red hair,” says Baum, whose one sister, Jacqueline, is six years younger. “As most redheads do, I have always gotten attention for that.”
Photographer Julia Baum styling little redhead Claudia for her portrait.
Of the subjects Julia has photographed for “A Rare Breed” and why she started the project, she says this: “Because we all have these redhead experiences in common. I feel we understand a certain part of each other without even speaking.”
Details of how other members of the redhaired clan can apply to participate are below, but first a little more about Julia Baum:
THE TSP INTERVIEW WITH JULIA
Julia, with sister Jacqueline, her cousin and mother, is the only redhead in her family.
Q. “You know you’re a sister when…”
A. “…you find a common bond with someone unexpected. Though most of my subjects are strangers, we all share a unifying experience as redheads. I love swapping stories only to find they’re mostly the same.”
Q. What does the word sister mean to you?
A. “A sister is someone who is excited for you on your best day, and there for you on your worst. I think you can be a sister to someone you just met, as you can be to someone very close. One of my goals with ‘A Rare Breed’ is to create a sense of unity among all redheads. While celebrating our individuality I also want to illuminate the connection we all have.”
Q: How can others find out more about the project?
A: “Fellow redheads interested in being part of the project can contact me at juliabaum at gmail dot com with a jpg of themselves for consideration.”
THE TSP GALLERY OF JULIA BAUM’S WORK
More of Julia Baum’s work can be found at her website, or on the blog dedicated to “A Rare Breed.”
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Ha! Another post that’s near and dear to my heart.
Yes, I am a redhead, too. Very red growing up and hating every minute of it. But as an adult, my hair has darkened naturally and I actually miss the bright firey red.
Who says blondes have more fun?
Welcome, Amy. My sister, Marion, has a whole thread of posts on that topic…so go say hi to her (the byline is linked). Nice to see you (red hair and all) and do visit us again soon.
Ah, no one who ever met a redhead says blondes have more fun. Live your color, sister. Wear it proudly. Don’t you just love Julia’s photos? We sure do.
Fellow redhead here! And I, too, am the only one in my family. As a kid I was convinced I was adopted. But being a redhead truly is special and fun.
Amy, I’m opposite of you. Mine has become lighter as I’ve aged. My consolation, though, is that I’ve been told redheads turn white, not gray. I can get on board with that! (though I’ll miss my red if comes true)
I would so enjoy being apart of this photo project…trying to figure out how I would get to NYC!
Welcome, Malia, another red-headed sister! Nice to see you here. Marion got her red hair from our father, though we never knew him when he was a redhead (more grayish with some red highlights). She traced the genetic roots of her hair all the way back in our family lineage in her book “Roots of Desire” and has a whole category on her blog about redheads. :)
Uncanny.. finding something here everyday. So perhaps I am a sister! I have red hair. None of my five children got it though, so perhaps some redheaded grandchildren will bless the world someday.
I think this is such a fabulous idea, and was just reading an article that discusses the gradual loss of us reds!
oh , and I see that in her website, Julia quickly notes that the rumour is false. I’m so relieved. Because red hair is so beautiful.
Welcome, Deb. I am the non-redhead in my family so NOT the expert…but I will send Marion (my “baby” sister) over for some added information as well. See you soon again.
Hi, MAlia. Well, red hair can make one feel isolated. A fairly rare genetic quality, it is a wonder, I think, as beautifully displayed here by Julia’s photos. Mine, too has changed over the years, getting less orange, more brown, and somewhat more coarse. But it’s still red and even when I’m white, I’ll always be a redhead. Live your color, sisters. It’s a fine one. And for more info on our breed, do please see my book (shameless commerce from a shameless redhead), “The Roots of Desire.” http://www.indiebound.org/book/1582343446. Enjoy.
Hiya, Deb: Yes, that’s bad science is what that is. I’ve interviewed all the top researchers (for that book we keep mentioning shamelessly) on this, and there is no truth to it at all. Rest easy: Redheads will continue to rule.
My sister in law has carrot red curly hair. Simply beautiful. I went through a time in my twenties, when I was an unnatural red head, I loved every minute.
These portraits are stunning. I am a gray haired gal now, but with wonderful memories of being red.
Hey, Susan. Yes, we love Julia’s work. Just remarkable. Thanks so much for stopping in for a look. So glad they reminded you of your beloved red-haired days. My advice is for everyone to live like a redhead, no matter what their color. And why not? See you again soon.
Julia’s photos just brought me to tears because they show so well the stunning beauty of redheads, men and women. Wow! More please!!!
Welcome, Debra. She is doing something really lovely, yes. Glad you like. And glad to see you here; do visit again soon.
I am a redhead….helped along these days by L’Oreal. My hairdresser tells me that my hair is mostly white now at the roots. I don’t have the courage to let it grow out as she says I will look 10 years older. How do I send a picture to your gallery?
Welcome, Teri. You can email us at thesisterproject at gmail dot com with the photo. If you want it forwarded to Julia Baum, you may wish to use the contact on her site, or we can forward.
Julia and Marion,
I’m so glad to see Julia on Marion’s Website. Julia and I were in Lincoln City, Oregon for their Redhead Roundup Festival in February. I, too, am creating a book called Redheads and More Redheads in the Seattle area. If there are any sisters who are both natural redheads in Seattle and who follow Marion’s Sister project, let me know at http://www.redheads and more redheads.com. I need you to be photographed for my book. Thanks
Welcome, Anne. I will alert Marion to your comment, and nice to “meet” you. The Redhead Roundup sounds hilarious. See you soon again, yes?
Hi, Anne: Welcome back to TSP where we, too, love all redheads. Yes, Julia’s work is a joy, isn’t it? I’d love to make it out to the Redhead Roundup one of these days. Do please keep us informed of your book project, as well as of the future plans for the Roundup.
I too am red headed but as the years go by it seems to get lighter. My grand son also has bright red hair. He is about to turn 6. Do you accept pictures? We live in Texas. I wish that I could come to New York to visit. I am the one that had e. mailed you about an article that came out in the Longview paper. It was a good article.
My whole family are redheads.
we all range from different shades. My eldest brother Adam has very bright redhair. my second oldest brother Barry has dirty redhair, My older sister Mary has dark red curly hair and i have a little of all three. Both of my parents had redhair, but now its turning gray. When we all go outside together, people stare and point, but we love it.