ADVERTISEMENT

Ethereal looks and surreal scenes have glued many fantasy photography fans to their screens. Sadly, women of color are often left out from the fantasy genre altogether.

But one woman who goes by the Twitter handle “@btsanima” decided to redeem black women in fantastical set-ups. She thus started a Twitter thread with the caption “Black women in fantasy photography thread bc even though our presence is small, I will not be deterred.” The thread immediately went viral with 69.4K retweets and comments, as well as 214.6K likes and still counting.

So let’s immerse ourselves in a series of jaw-dropping photographs with otherworldly black beauty down below!

RELATED:
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @maria_lipina
    Model: @normila17

    maria_lipina , normila Report

    Hollysmom
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm running out of words meaning beautiful

    View more comments

    Bored Panda reached out to the woman behind this viral Twitter thread, who wished to stay anonymous, to talk more about the presence of black women in fantasy movies. The woman, who goes by the nickname Dee, told us that she has been a fan of fantasy for many years.

    “While I adore the classics (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, etc.), the lack of faces that look like mine has always made me feel a little bit out of place,” Dee said. Some time ago, she discovered a pocket of Instagram that specialized in fantasy photography and found that there was a very small presence of black women.

    #4

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    agnieszka_lorek , Theresa Report

    giraffescupcakesandlove
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is beautiful and the headpiece looks like something out of a fairytale!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @defotograafsanne
    Model: @modelsensi
    Make-up and costume: @candymakeupartist

    defotograafsanne , Sensemielja Sumter Report

    Elizabeth Molloy
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The gold body paint against her skin tone is stunning!

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT

    Recently, Dee has been getting back into photography and noticed that many photographers had at least one photoshoot with a black woman. “All of them were beautiful and moving,” and Dee decided it was a collection that had to be shared with her followers.

    Dee believes that the reason why there are so little black women in the fantasy genre comes down to “people believing that black women simply aren't interested.” For example, “If you check the pages of the models who were included in the thread, some of them do not usually do this genre.”

    #7

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    thewitchinghourphotography , tee.pimentel Report

    Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Really beautiful- I love how the roses and ivy are entwining her. It makes me think of the Briar Rose fairy tale.

    View more comments
    #8

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    anniebertramphoto , Theresa Report

    Jayne Kyra
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I feel like she would give me a quest and as a prize I would be able to summon a wild animal to aid me in battle.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @simplysavannahart
    Model: @shiennegh
    Designer: @itisknown

    simplysavannahart , Shienne Nare Al’esha Report

    Doria
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    she is like an amazon-elf; I love it!

    View more comments

    But as far as photography in general, Dee is convinced it is “an issue for the media industry as a whole.” Even though it has been improving over the years as more and more women of color have been making waves in the modeling industry, there’s still a long way to go.

    It doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be done about it. “Simply expand your portfolio beyond the usual casting, and photograph black women as well,” Dee suggests.

    #10

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    josefienhoekstra , Leila Onome Aigbedion Report

    Isabella R.W.
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    wow, the outfit kinda reminds me of beauty and the beast for some reason.

    View more comments

    She also said a photographer has to learn how to photograph dark skin. “Please. Even in high fashion photography, mistakes are being made because people do not bother to adapt to our skin.”

    Every photographer in Dee’s thread showed that it can be done, so she urges photographers to do their research and simply make the effort. “I have to emphasize that it really isn’t a big step.”

    After all, all artists should be open to learning new ways to improve and expand their range.

    #13

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    anniebertramphoto , Theresa Report

    Hollysmom
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is one of my favorites. So strong and beautiful

    View more comments
    #14

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @danielamajic_
    Model: @hillarywebster 
    Make-up and hair: @kireimakeup 

    danielamajic_ , Hillary Webster Report

    b l a n c
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this one is so magical, she looks just a fairy princess. very elegant and majestic

    View more comments
    #16

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @bekkabjorke
    Model: @pariscamillec
    Costume: @minnieopal
    Make-up: @taelorfx
    Hair: @adrian_leah

    bekkabjorke , Paris Collins Report

    Zoe's Mom
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This woman probably can wear a sack and still be STUNNING.

    View more comments
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #21

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @maria_lipina
    Model: @normila17

    maria_lipina Report

    #22

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    thewitchinghourphotography , tee.pimente Report

    LRevello
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    close that box! 2020 is bad enough already LOL

    View more comments
    #23

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Phptpgrapher: @newo_imagery
    Model: @sherellie_ko
    Plait headpiece: @elegant_curiosities
    Gold duo halo: @hysteriamachine
    Make-up: @ambellinauk
    Background: @creativitybackgrounds

    newo_imagery , Sherelle Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #29

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    Photographer: @maria_lipina
    Model: @normila17

    maria_lipina Report

    SoozeeQ
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gorgeous photo. She's so pretty, and that gown...!

    View more comments
    #30

    Black-Women-Fantasy-Photos

    defotograafsanne Report

    SoozeeQ
    Community Member
    5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is my favourite. She is gorgeous!!!

    View more comments