In 2023, Tecno introduced Universal Tone, an imaging technology designed to accurately capture everyone’s skin tone. Then in 2024, the company started the #ToneProud campaign to fight skin tone bias in camera phones. Last year, Tecno expanded Universal Tone’s multi-skin tone color card to 372 skin tone patches. And now the company is continuing its mission to make digital cameras that accurately capture the unique qualities of everyone who steps in front of the lens.
Brazilian visual artist Angélica Dass starts the “100 Portraits of Becoming” initiative
Tecno has partnered with Brazilian visual artist Angélica Dass for the “100 Portraits of Becoming” initiative. This initiative will span two years and five countries, starting on July 6 in Nairobi, Kenya. The inaugural shoot featured local entrepreneurs, creators and innovators.
All the photos for this initiative will be captured using the Tecno Camon 50 Ultra, which features the aforementioned Universal Tone tech.
The goal is to photograph 100 individuals across the five countries. People who are selected to participate are invited to appear in their own clothing and they will be photographed in natural light without filters for maximum authenticity.
The portraits will be shared on the initiative’s website. In addition to the photos themselves, Dass will record peoples’ personal stories and how they have “navigated various cultural and societal shifts to become who they are today”.
You can learn more about the 100 Portraits of Becoming initiative here. If you want to participate, you can sign up using this link. Dass will be in Nairobi, Kenya until August 9, then will move to Manila in the Philippines and stay there between August 16 and 22. After that are Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Brazil (dates to be announced).
“My portrait practice has always been less about documenting appearance and more about creating space for people to exist beyond assumptions. What moved me about this collaboration is the shared vision and the possibility of bringing that intention into a medium used by millions every day. I am excited that this initiative is not about defining people — it is about allowing identity to remain open, layered, and human. Because being visible is not the same as being understood. True recognition begins when we are seen as we really are,” said Angélica Dass.
“Through this project, we want to move beyond representation as technical accuracy alone and explore representation as recognition — enabling technology not only to capture people faithfully, but to help people feel truly seen. By moving beyond bias, labels, and stereotypes, we hope to build a future where technology reflects people more authentically and allows the world to understand them more fully. Truthful representation is the foundation of genuine human understanding,” said Jack Guo, General Manager at Tecno.