Less than two percent of the world’s population has naturally red hair.

Because they stand out, redheads are often bullied by their peers, ridiculed in pop culture, and perceived through negative stereotypes dating all the way back to medieval times. 

Brian Dowling is hoping to bring some positive attention to those with fiery red locks for a change. He’s traveled to 20 countries and counting to photograph redheads around the world and celebrate their natural beauty through whimsical portraits.

Pictured: Alia from Berlin.

Photographer Brian Dowling has always appreciated the uniqueness of red hair.

Pictured: Ellis from Trillick, Northern Ireland.

His Irish heritage might have something to do with it.

Pictured: Grace from Malahide, Ireland.

He decided to photograph redheads around the world.

Pictured: Natasha from London, England.

He’s compiled the images into a portrait book called “Redhead Beauty.”

Pictured: Nena from Bratislava, Slovakia.

Dowling photographed 130 models from 20 different countries.

Pictured: Daria from St. Petersburg, Russia.

He self-published the book through a Kickstarter campaign.

Pictured: Laura from Virginia, US.

“Before I even started the project, I posted a tweet if anyone wanted to take photos in Dublin,” he said.

Pictured: Sarah Kennedy from Donegal, Ireland.