Photographed the September Cover of Vanity Fair featuring LOVE! To the little boy (Kaito) who his parents named him after his father in creole for “little Kai”. Growing up he worked so hard. At the age of 5 he washed cars, worked every summer in Cabo Verde at his family small shop and when he was 16 he worked two jobs and did sports. He found his passion for photography in high school and pursued it wholeheartedly, learning everyday. He taught himself how to use the camera to capture what he saw with his eye. He gave his all to being the best version of himself in front of and behind the lens. Thank you to the little sweet boy who I look back at and still see in the mirror today. Thank you @diddy for trusting me with the opportunity from the start. God’s alignment is pure and real! Thank you @pierreyork for sticking with me on this project from the jump and really giving every bit of creative thought and every care for the intention. We spent nights and days ideating and digging through the archives of black history for this. @natmoar thank you for coming up with idea for this project and seeing it through. To the V.F. team @kirapollack @_tara_johnson and @kelly.bales thank you for bringing me in with open arms! @juneambrose thank you for your wisdom! words can’t describe how grateful I am for you. Credits below: Photographer: @Kaito Story by: @tressiemcphd V.F. Team: Creative Director: @kirapollack Visuals Director / Producer: @_tara_johnson VP Digital Video: @kelly.bales Assistant Fashion Editor: @samgasmer Kaito’s team: Creative Director: @pierreyork Management: @davejr Assistant: @shooter__visuals Photo Team: Lighting Tech: @bnickleberry Assistants:@kendalconnorpack @willazcona DigiTech: @critmoney Props Team: Set Designer: @betteradams Assistants: George Deacon, Jason Valdez, Jeremy Reimnitz Styling Team: Lead Stylist: @juneambrose Wardrobe Managers: @jc_____91 @legendarylade Hair Stylist: @marcusph333 MakeUp Artist: @luciamua76 Thank you also to my cousin @tyaishaaa for holding it down and to the entire MILK team for welcoming me in so luxuriously!