A healing portrait session with music artist Kouvaris The Universal Prince, inspired by the upcoming album From Fire to Phoenix. Eight powerful looks. One unforgettable journey of transformation, identity, and rebirth. Step into the fire and see what rises.
Table of Contents
Introduction
When Kouvaris Bibbins first reached out through my website chat in August 2024, the message was short but striking:
That single sentence began a visual journey that would take nearly seven months to realize. The journey culminated in one of the most emotionally intense and artistically rich portrait sessions I’ve had the privilege to create, a session that I hope will resonate with you as it did with us.
Kouvaris is more than a musician. The artist is a living embodiment of transformation, channeling deeply personal experiences into music, fashion, and now—photographic storytelling. Hailing from Scranton, PA, Kouvaris came to my Poconos studio accompanied by two trusted collaborators: a choreographer and a makeup artist. We spent eight uninterrupted hours creating something rare—a healing portrait session that unfolded like a ceremony.
This was not a simple photo shoot. This was an emotional excavation, a reclamation, a declaration of identity—told across eight transformational looks, each inspired by original songs from Kouvaris’ upcoming album, From Fire to Phoenix. The album isn’t out yet, but every outfit, every beat played during this shoot, and every visual detail was deeply rooted in the themes of resilience, empowerment, and rebirth.
This healing portrait session stirred memories of another unforgettable Phoenix-themed shoot I did—one that pushed boundaries in every direction. That session involved full-body painting, custom-built wings, and literal fire—flame gels in-studio and a rooftop finale where those wings were set ablaze. It was raw, wild, and visually explosive. But even with all that spectacle, what Kouvaris brought to Ashenrise was just as powerful in a quieter, more intentional way. Not every session needs fire to burn. Some ignite from within.
Meet the Artist: Kouvaris The Universal Prince
Kouvaris Bibbins—known to many as Kouvaris The Universal Prince—is a multifaceted creative force based in Scranton, Pennsylvania. A singer, songwriter, and composer with music characterized by a blend of dance, EDM, and uplifting themes, the artist has built a growing body of work rooted in personal storytelling, emotional resilience, and high-energy soundscapes. With over a million streams across platforms and features in outlets like Model Citizen Magazine and MTVrock, Kouvaris is steadily gaining recognition as a bold, authentic voice in today’s independent music scene.
As an African-American artist, Kouvaris draws from lived experiences and generational history to infuse his music and visuals with authenticity and soul.
What sets this artist apart isn’t just musical talent—it’s the intention behind the work. Each track is crafted to uplift, to reflect the depths of the human experience, and to empower others to move through pain toward personal triumph. That same energy pulses through From Fire to Phoenix, the artist’s upcoming album, and now lives in this healing portrait session, too.
In addition to musical pursuits, Kouvaris has also received support for creative work through a grant from the City of Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund—an acknowledgment of the artist’s cultural contribution and commitment to artistic resilience post-pandemic.
This is more than music. It’s movement. It’s metamorphosis. It’s a journey of becoming—through lyrics, through visuals, through every chosen expression.
From Vision to Ritual: A Session Months in the Making
Our journey began with several calls—brainstorming concepts, visual references, lighting styles, and outfit details. There were some scheduling setbacks along the way, but the intention never wavered. When Kouvaris and the team finally arrived in March, the energy was electric. There was a shared understanding that something important was about to happen.
The day of the shoot was more than a creative collaboration—it felt sacred. We did not follow a strict order, as makeup looks are typically layered from minimal to dramatic to support the workflow of the makeup artist. Lighting and backdrops shifted continuously to reflect each transformation—soft pastels for healing, metallics for empowerment, earth tones for heritage, and deep blacks for individuality and truth.
Fire to Phoenix: Eight Looks, One Journey of Rebirth
Each of the eight looks in From Fire to Phoenix corresponded to a distinct emotional chapter. As the artist’s songs played in the background, we allowed the music to guide the pacing and posture. This healing portrait session became an immersive experience, where wardrobe, sound, lighting, and emotion blended into one expressive form.
Shadowed Strength: Where Vulnerability Speaks First
We began with “Shadowed Strength”—a concept wrapped in introspection and emotional weight. This look was defined by deep shadows, solemn expression, and poses that suggested protection and solitude. The outfit was dark, elegant, and unguarded—embodying the songs “Tired,” “A Heartbreak Melody,” and “Did You?”
In this chapter, vulnerability wasn’t hidden—it was honored. The artist stood in silence while the music filled the studio, creating a sacred space for confronting inner wounds. Here, the camera didn’t just document—it witnessed.
Flames of the Phoenix: Birth from Fire
Next came “Flames of the Phoenix,” the visual pivot from pain to transformation. Kouvaris stepped forward in fiery tones, sequined textures, and bold posture. This concept was a declaration—”I will rise, not in spite of the fire, but because of it.”
The lighting shifted to golden hues, casting a warm glow that wrapped the artist like flames mid-transformation. Songs like “From Fire to Phoenix,” “Phoenix Rising,” and “Pieces of Me” pulsed in the background as the choreography took on strength, intention, and resolve.
Pure Renewal: The Softness After the Storm
In “Pure Renewal,” we entered the gentle aftermath. A flowing white ensemble marked this phase—symbolic of shedding the old and standing anew. The set softened: diffused lighting, clean backgrounds, and minimalist posing.
The songs “I’m Okay,” “Ballad of an Angel,” and “Freedom” helped create a sense of spiritual healing. This was not the power of force, but of surrender. A reminder that healing often begins when we finally lay down our armor.
Roots of the Phoenix: Ancestral Strength
One of the most grounded moments came with Roots of the Phoenix. Earthy tones and textured fabrics grounded the artist visually and spiritually. This chapter honored Kouvaris’ African-American heritage—celebrating the ancestral strength, cultural richness, and generational resilience that continue to shape his identity. Here, we didn’t just capture style—we paid tribute to roots that run deep.
With songs like “Melanated Roots” and “Memories,” the atmosphere shifted from ethereal to elemental. The choreography and styling honored tradition while still expressing individuality. In this segment, the portrait became a living tribute.
Urban Warrior: Confidence in Color
“Urban Warrior” was a return to boldness—an unapologetic burst of street style and energetic poses. From the angles to the outfits, everything screamed freedom and confidence. Bright lighting and bold shadows added punch.
With “Anybody I Want” and “Supernatural Love” filling the studio, this was about claiming space, expressing style without compromise, and walking in boldness. The healing portrait session now embraced joy, swagger, and power.
Armored in Resilience: Futurism and Fortitude
The sixth look, “Armored in Resilience,” brought us into futuristic styling. The ensemble had metallic, armor-like textures—a visual metaphor for scars turned to steel.
Songs like “In My Own Glory” and “Bow Down” underscored this moment of defiance and control. The artist posed with intention and edge, evoking not just strength but sovereignty. Here, healing was no longer fragile—it was fortified.
Prince of Resurgence: Regal Power
In “Prince of Resurgence,” we arrived at royalty. Kouvaris appeared adorned, elevated, and entirely self-assured. This segment pulled in rich tones, bold silhouettes, and a touch of majesty.
The songs “Queen Energy” and “To This Journey’s End” added gravitas. There was joy, yes—but also solemnity. The kind that comes when you recognize your worth and refuse to dim it.
Ebon Ascent: Standing in Full Truth
We ended the healing portrait session with “Ebon Ascent”—a sleek black look that shimmered with confidence and complete self-realization. The artist had come full circle. Every scar, every triumph, every truth—now integrated and visible.
With “Eccentric” and the reprise of “Freedom,” the room was filled with celebration. There were no more masks, no more apologies. Just art, truth, and power.
More Than a Photoshoot: A Mirror, A Ceremony
As Kouvaris described it, the experience felt ceremonial. And watching it unfold, I’d have to agree. This healing portrait session was more than visuals. It was about self-discovery through art, resilience through performance, and transformation through vulnerability.
For artists, creatives, and anyone navigating their own journey of self-reinvention, this project offers more than aesthetic inspiration—it offers permission. Permission to express. To explore. To embrace the fluidity of identity and the power of becoming.
From a creative standpoint, this healing portrait session challenged and nourished me. Each lighting setup, outfit transition, and pose brought new dimensions. But what made it unforgettable was Kouvaris’ openness. The willingness to be seen—not just styled, but witnessed.
Final Thoughts: Self-Discovery as an Act of Power
Whether you’re a music artist, a dancer, or someone quietly wrestling with your own identity, you deserve moments like this. Moments where the lens becomes a mirror. Where image-making becomes healing. Where your truth is not only allowed, but celebrated.
Kouvaris The Universal Prince reminds us that rebirth is not just possible—it’s necessary. That transformation is not a straight line, but a series of courageous leaps. And that through creative expression, we rise—scarred, yes, but stronger. Burned, perhaps, but glowing.
In a world that often pressures people to hide, conform, or simplify who they are, this project stood as a quiet act of resistance—and a vibrant act of becoming.
My all-day portrait sessions are designed just for that: this is what a healing portrait session can be.
And this is what it means to rise from fire, and fly.
Credits
- Singer: Kouvaris The Universal Prince (a.k.a. Kouvaris Bibbins, IG: @kouvaristheuniversalprince)
- Makeup Artist: Azaryah Norwood (IG: @aazaryah)
- Choreographer: Eimaj (IG: @jahmaican_j)
- Photography: Zorz Studios (IG: @ZorzStudios)
Behind the Scenes
