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BEHIND THE STRIPES

Cam Kirk

By Atlanta United FC

June 18^th, 2024

The first piece of decoration you see upon entering Cam Kirk Studios is a massive wall light that displays the Atlanta United crest. The piece lights up brightly, adding to the aesthetic of a space that’s colorful, modern and vibrant.

This wall art was a gift from Atlanta United to the studio’s founder Cam Kirk, an Atlanta-based photographer and Morehouse College graduate. Cam has made a home in Atlanta now for 16 years, working with iconic trap artists such as Gucci Mane, Migos, 21 Savage, Future and Young Thug. Through his work and passion, Cam has cultivated creativity behind the scenes in Atlanta’s music and culture scene.

Cam’s connection to Atlanta United runs deep. As a former soccer player himself, he’s always been an advocate of sharing the story of soccer in Atlanta and has been part of major projects since the club’s inception. He shot the first kit launch, the 5-Stripes kit in 2016, and documented the club's move to its permanent home, Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Cam also hosted March to Soccer events, including a city cleanup event in 2018. As Atlanta United was just starting out and working to create a stronghold in the local community, Cam connected the club with some of the movers and shakers in the hip hop and music scene. He invited them to Atlanta United matches and documented their experience to share the club’s story and make sure people in the city embraced the team.

His latest project occurred this past May when he took photos for Atlanta United’s Legacy collection, the retail line that launched June 13. The collection was designed to celebrate Black Excellence and honor Juneteenth. The collection embodies the values of unity, equality, and representation and celebrates Atlanta United players who continue to shape the culture for the game.

“It really felt like the city of Atlanta, to be honest,” Cam says of when he first saw the collection. “It's really special to see the representation of the exact players on the back. I've been an advocate of turning these players into superstars and getting more people to know the actual players that make that team great. It was really cool to see them get that shine on the back of the shirt.”

"I’ve been an advocate of turning these players into superstars."

For the photoshoot, Cam hosted several Atlanta United players at his studio in downtown Atlanta a few blocks south of Mercedes-Benz Stadium, right across the street from Magic City. Derrick Williams, Xande Silva, Tristan Muyumba, Jay Fortune, and Caleb Wiley modeled the collection and were photographed by Cam.

This group of players is special because they designed the collection. The Legacy collection is the first ever player-led collaboration in the club’s history. Over the course of the season, these five players, along with former Atlanta United player Derrick Etienne Jr., provided insight and inspiration to guide the club’s creative team from ideation to production. The final products bring together history and the perspective of our players as a statement for club and city.

"It’s inspiring to see a club of that magnitude still be in tune with its local neighborhood and community."

On May 23, these five players all traveled to Cam Kirk Studios for the photoshoot and were Cam’s subjects for the day. With the help of his team, Cam captured the strong and remarkable images that not only display the collection but put that shine on Atlanta United’s players.

“My goal with every shoot I do, especially with this one, is to connect energies with the players, connect energy with their spirit and what Atlanta United is trying to accomplish with this collection, to bring that out in some of the photos that we're going to capture,” Cam says. “I hope that through the work and through the authenticity, in the uniqueness that every player already naturally has just by them being an individual self and by showing who they are, that works and helps turn them into superstars.”

The players modeled the products, including the T-shirt, sweatshirt and scarf, which are all available to purchase at the Team Store at Atlantic Station.

“When you know more about somebody you can relate to them a little bit more and you can actually start to admire certain character traits in them,” Kirk continues. “Hopefully today is a step in that direction of highlighting some of the greatness we have on our team.”

The players were in good hands as Cam has been an experienced photographer for several years. A native of Maryland, Atlanta has been the place where Cam built his brand. The space is unique in that it doubles as not only a photo studio but also a community center, a place where young creators that need a home base can express themselves, foster their creative skills, and get their dreams and ideas out.

“A synonym for our brand is almost community,” Cam says. “We do community cleanup events, free workshop events. We do art exhibit events and galleries where we give a spotlight and showcase a lot of young creatives in the city.”

In just seven years, Cam Kirk Studios has booked more than 30,000 appointments. His appointments also come with photography mentorship, so that creators make sure that they get the best product they can. His space has become a staple and a home for the creative community of Atlanta, so shooting the Legacy collection in that space brings the club even closer to the pulse of the creatives in the city.

“Even myself as a transplant of sorts, coming from Maryland to Atlanta, it's always important that I maintain and find ways to uplift and continue Atlanta's already established local and creative scene and magic,” he says. “I hope that as people learn more about Atlanta get more excited about the things that we do here that they don't forget about the people that really made the city special.”

Inspired by artistic legends such as Jonathan Mannion, Zach Wolfe, Chi Modu, Harry Benson and Spike Lee, Cam pays homage to the photographers who came before him with his style and flair. As much as he honors the past, he’s also passionate about bringing up the next generation of creatives in Atlanta. In fact, he says that it inspires his work to see new ideas:

“Today, I'm really inspired by a lot of young photographers. I love the freedom and expression and a lot of the young work that I'm seeing in a way that young photographers are taking it to a whole other level. So now there are a lot of young photographers that are actually becoming my favorites and people that I look to for inspiration.”

"As more people continue to see Atlanta as a hotspot, as a hub, as a creator of culture, as more people want to experience it and move into the city, I hope that we continue to uplift and uphold those that really made the city special."

The Legacy collection brings together Atlanta’s evolving and forward-thinking creatives with important history. The collection honors Juneteenth, or June 19th, the date in America’s history that marks the end of enslavement in the United States. Today, Juneteenth serves as a holiday to reflect on our nation’s history, commemorate emancipation, and look towards the future impact of Black culture and community.

To release a retail line designed specifically to celebrate Black culture, and to put that history at the forefront shows the impact and importance that Juneteenth has had. Cam states clearly that era of American history can be dark and difficult to reconcile, but he also believes knowing history can help lead you where you want to go.

“It's special that now a date like that can be flipped and turned into an educational moment for all. It definitely holds significance,” Cam says. “Sports teams and brands as big as Atlanta United feel the importance of making sure they educate their community on the importance and significance of that date.”

Atlanta United’s home match on June 15 against Houston honored Juneteenth. On that day, players wore a special patch on their Resurgens Kit, which they will also wear for their match in D.C. on Juneteenth. Those in the stands at Mercedes-Benz Stadium witnessed and celebrated Black voices highlighted throughout matchday.

As Atlanta United celebrates Black culture, the impact can also be felt on a personal level. As a Black man, Kirk says that he’s always felt seen by Atlanta United, a reflection of the rich diversity that makes Atlanta a great city.

“[Atlanta United] came into the city very conscious and aware of what the city is made up of – who makes the city and what makes us really special,” he says. “Atlanta United has always gone out of their way to embrace all the cultures in Atlanta, not even just Black culture. They've been an advocate and a supporter of hip hop culture here, the music scene here, film scene here, the creative scene here. It’s really, really inspiring to see a club of that magnitude still be in tune and in touch with its local neighborhood and community.”