UPBOUND CONTENT • PORTRAITURE HIGHLIGHTS
By Donald Roy Haffenden Jr
NATURAL / STUDIO / CORPORATE-PROFESSIONS / STATEMENTS
THE BREIF
In this entry, I’ve highlighted three of my favorite portrait sessions, each special in its own way. While technically “content” for Upbound Content, these sessions are deeply meaningful to me, filled with laughter, collaboration, and a sense of nostalgia. With each person, they were a kindred spirit in some fashion or mode. Here are some highlights from these sessions:
WHAT WE DID
Captured across six photo sessions, the model and I would meet beforehand to align on the look and feel of each shoot. Sometimes we focused on a single location; other times, we captured images during multi-hour walks. These samples showcase a mix of studio and urban landscape portatiure, using both natural and assisted light.
Kristen Glow Era • Kristen Bonifacio • Mercury Kristen
Afro Latina Model & Creator
The Theme | A Spur for Justice
In June 2017, Charleena Lyles, a 30-year-old Black mother of four, was shot and killed by Seattle police in her own home after she called to report a burglary. Police claimed she was holding a knife, yet despite her known history of mental health struggles, they responded with lethal force. Her death prompted public outrage and protests, sparking urgent conversations about police responses in mental health crises and the disproportionate impact of police violence on Black communities.
How We Met
Kristen and her boyfriend, Isaac, visited me in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, for a session in a friend’s apartment. Motivated by the climate of racial injustice After a recent police brutality case from that summer, Kirsten wanted images that went beyond mere studio shots—something that expressed her personal protest. Images that met the moment. Together, we captured moments that reflected both strength and resolve, with a Black Applejack Kangol hat as a symbolic accessory from a previous photo shoot making a return.
The Look of the Day
Kirsten chose bold, circular Black Lives Matter earrings made of wood, their organic texture bringing a raw and grounded quality to her look. Paired with a kente cloth skirt, her attire held layers of symbolism—each element a statement, connecting both her heritage and her commitment to justice. The earrings themselves stood as declarations, both fierce and unapologetic, anchoring her personal protest in something tactile and intentional.
Starlyte
Friend & Interlocutor
The Theme | Down by the Riverside
Starlyte and I have a few times over the past decade. This entry highlights images from our first session, captured in Riverside Park’s woods and by the riverside, as well as other sessions in Central Park’s Bethesda Terrace. Our focus was to capture her essence, a blend of beauty and spirit, which I hope shines through in these selections.
How We Met
Starlyte and I met over a decade ago during an intercollegiate model congress tournament she helped organize at her undergraduate alma mater. Though she was a sciences major, her interest in public speaking overlapped with my own. I believe she was the head of her school’s organization by graduation, and while we were at different colleges, our paths crossed often thanks to shared interests.
The Look of the Day
On this day, Starlyte wore a pastel powder-blue blouse paired with a softly faded, deep-orange skirt. Gold tinged earrings and a cross pendant added to the look, blending elegance with subtle symbolism. The evening’s golden hour offered a beautiful backdrop, resulting in some of my most striking portraits to date, including the header image—a favorite among my headshots.
Another Vibe
We shot at Bethesda Terrace, an iconic area of Central Park near 72nd St in Manhattan, NY. It was a rewarding experience, and the setting’s charm added to the atmosphere of the shoot. I used one of my flash umbrellas as a prop, which she even marshaled at times, adding a touch of spontaneity.
Miriam
Friend & Interlocutor
How We Met
Miriam and I go back to our days in the Trinity College Gospel Choir. I recall a song we were learning, with a refrain urging the listener to have a strong finish and maintain a strong faith. In my mind, I paraphrased it as “strong fish, strong faith,” which became a recurring inside joke among a few of us. Miriam always had a warm demeanor and a sharp sense of humor, making it a joy to sing alongside her and the rest of TCGC.
