In Textures of Humanity, American photographer, Davis, unfolds African culture in layers of colour, taste
Acclaimed American photographer and Creative Director Reed Davis has unveiled his debut book and exhibition, Textures of Humanity, in Lagos—a city he credits with shaping both the project and his creative awakening on the African continent. Through vivid imagery and immersive storytelling, Davis peels back the layers of African culture, capturing its colours, flavours, and everyday rhythms with a tenderness that feels both intimate and expansive.
To commemorate the launch, Chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo will host an exclusive private dinner inspired by the book’s themes, bringing together storytelling through images and storytelling through food.
Davis, celebrated for his natural-light portraiture and work with global brands such as Vogue, Tiffany & Co., Williams Sonoma, and Martha Stewart Living, has spent the past decade traveling across Africa, documenting the layered beauty of everyday life.
His new body of work spans Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Morocco, Kenya, Zanzibar, Tanzania, South Africa, and São Tomé, capturing culture through color, texture, ritual, craft, and human connection.
Speaking at a media briefing ahead of the exhibition, Davis described the project as a journey born from curiosity.
“I’ve always been curious about how things work beyond what I know. Traveling here, meeting people, experiencing the everyday, and connecting with creatives made me want to build something cohesive from all I’d seen and felt,” he said.
What began as casual trips eventually evolved into a 10-year visual archive. The editing process alone took more than a year. But it was the “simple things”—a stack of food delivery containers under a light in Lagos, handmade textiles, street scenes, market colors—that captured him and shaped the book’s emotional core.
“Some of the most human aspects of life are the simple things,” he noted. “As an outsider, I noticed details that locals might overlook because they feel so normal.”
Davis’ commitment to authenticity guided the project. Except for three conceptual images, the photographs remain untouched—even retaining beach litter and raw textures to preserve the truth of each scene. Many of the portraits feature individuals Davis formed relationships with over years of visiting.
“I didn’t want to be the photographer who arrives and starts taking pictures of strangers,” he explained. “I needed to slow down, listen, observe. It was a collaboration.”
Lagos, he added, became a creative home. Encouraged by friends to visit, he found himself returning year after year, drawn by the city’s energy and its people.
To mark the launch, culinary artist Chef Eros, known for blending heritage, memory, and innovation, has designed a special dinner experience rooted in the themes of Textures of Humanity.
“I use food as a medium of communication to celebrate culture,” he said. “Working with Reid resonated deeply with me. His book inspired a menu built around five themes: Freedom, Change, Movement, Curiosity, and Adventure.”
Freedom, he noted, entails having a modern take on ewa agoyin with a crisp garri-coated croquettes on rich pepper sauce, honouring the dish’s history across the Badagry border. Change involves having a vegetable-forward course using Ethiopian berbere and West African root vegetables to reflect a shift in contemporary African cuisine.
For him, Movement is brought to life with a water-inspired dish featuring Nigerian king prawns and squid, symbolizing historical and physical journeys, while Curiosity is pictured in an unexpected jollof reinterpretation, jollof salad, combining South African boerewors, Moroccan spices, and pan-African ingredients.
Lastly, the noted that Adventure is depicted in a dessert inspired by road-trip staples like boli and groundnuts, paired with North and East African flavors.
“In culinary arts, you eat with your eyes first,” Eros said. “Just like Reid’s photography, every plate tells a story.”
At its heart, Textures of Humanity explores how everyday choices, food, clothing, surroundings, rituals, form a visual and cultural language. Davis hopes the book encourages readers to see the familiar in a new light.
“My hope is that people begin to appreciate everyday beauty they might otherwise overlook,” he said.
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