‘Most people don’t know how to shoot or edit dark skin’ – Isaac West’s best phone shot

The Liberian photographer on his image of a tender haircut

Isaac West was searching for a moment of authenticity. He had known Sudanese models Juor and Odur for a few years; both live in the US, as does he. Their brief was to portray a moment of tenderness between a couple.

You're caring for your girlfriend by cutting her hair," was West's direction for Juor, who had the razor switched on. The Liberian photographer adds: He messed up her hair a bit - he's a model, not a barber! Luckily, Odur had a real appointment in the diary, so she didn't mind."