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I've been obsessed with photography for the past decade and in particular, I love all things fantasy, surreal, horror, or conceptual.

Five years ago I was working as a model but decided I much preferred it on the other side of the camera; nobody else knew how to Photoshop my spots out, so I learned how to do it myself. It took off from there and now, I work mostly with local amateur models. I prefer working with local amateurs because I think everyone deserves to feel beautiful, whether you do it for a living or not.

Here are my official 'Before & After' shots - I always find it's more fun to look at when you can see what you started with. Hope you guys like them.

#1

Probably One Of My Favorite Shots

Probably One Of My Favorite Shots

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I'm a 30-something female creative from Wales, UK obsessed with all things creative. I used to make a living as a model and photographer, but these days, I just do it for fun because I enjoy the creative process. Doing it for a living took all of the fun right out of it for me, so I thought it was more important to take a step back from professional work.

#2

Levitation Shots Are My Favorite

Levitation Shots Are My Favorite

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#3

If The Pose Doesn't Work, Then The Picture Won't Work - This Lady Had It Down Though

If The Pose Doesn't Work, Then The Picture Won't Work - This Lady Had It Down Though

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I focus on fantasy, horror, conceptual, and surreal photography because, to me, digital artistry is an opportunity to live in ways we'd never truly be able to; to experience and think about things we otherwise might not have. Half the appeal for me is that it doesn't look like reality. Life is often predictable or boring, and creating images like these allows me to explore ideas and themes that don't quite fit inside the box (until they create a device that allows me to go live inside my dreams anyway).

#4

I Wanted To Use Paper Cranes But They're Beyond My Paltry Origami Abilities

I Wanted To Use Paper Cranes But They're Beyond My Paltry Origami Abilities

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#5

Changing Seasons (This Was Actually Shot In July)

Changing Seasons (This Was Actually Shot In July)

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I'd always been interested in photography but had only ever taken pictures of animals or landscapes until I quit modeling myself. I transitioned from model to photographer because although I worked with some amazing creatives, I always found myself thinking 'That's not how I would've done it' and wondering just how they'd missed a chance to try X, Y, Z. Where I live, photographers are already a rarity but fantasy and horror photographers (the type I was desperate to work with) were few and far between, so I started to think that if I wanted certain images, maybe it'd just be easier to do them myself. It sounds stupid but I first began learning how to use Photoshop because some of my regular photographer clients didn't always know how to remove any spots (yup, I had spots but I still got booked somehow!), and I was concerned that if the images were posted of me with a zitty face, it might not look too good for my modeling work. So combine some know-how with an absolutely desperate desire to do something a bit more 'out there', and before I knew it, I was behind the camera instead of in front of it - and I wouldn't change a thing!

#6

This Lady Wanted Some Witchy Shots Because She's A Pagan

This Lady Wanted Some Witchy Shots Because She's A Pagan

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nicolelee999 avatar
thedinkydreads avatar
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It was supposed to be a fake pint of blood lol but because the candles were obscuring it and you couldn't quite tell what it was, I figured it'd make more sense to just remove it. :)

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Steve Fischer
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Raven hair, ruby lips, sparks fly from her fingertips...The Eagles

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#7

This Lady Wanted To Be A Moon Goddess - That's My Makeup Artist Standing In For The Moon

This Lady Wanted To Be A Moon Goddess - That's My Makeup Artist Standing In For The Moon

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I don't think I could do what I do without editing. With the right enhancements, a composite image can go from a hodge-podge of craziness to a fully-fledged fantasy fable that keeps you coming back to look a second time. I usually approach my photo editing with a very specific goal in mind: does it look like it came out of a fairytale storybook? I think the editing portion of my work is where its soul lives; I love giving my images an almost otherwordly, old feel, as I want them to feel like they each have a story to tell. To me, editing is the most enjoyable (and surprisingly relaxing) aspect of the creative process; some of my edits can take anywhere up to 8 hours at a time to finish. 

#8

This Lady Was Desperate To Do A Brave Cosplay - We Just Needed A Bear

This Lady Was Desperate To Do A Brave Cosplay - We Just Needed A Bear

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#9

I Love Making Fake Underwater Shots

I Love Making Fake Underwater Shots

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I work primarily with amateur models and non-models - I've even asked strangers on the street to pose for me before. You don't need to be experienced to work with me, as I think everyone has a look that works for something. You're unequivocally, unapologetically you, and you're wonderful, exactly as you are, so don't let anyone tell you that you have to be a size 0 and look like Kim Kardashian to feel beautiful in front of the camera! When I look for a model to work with, I want to find someone who is easygoing and concerned with one thing - enjoying themselves. I have a motto I live by: 'If you're not having fun, why bother?' and this is the first thing I tell people when they work with me. The best images are taken when someone isn't hyper-focused on what they look like but when they're laughing, joking, and having fun. Seeing someone's confidence skyrocket because they're enjoying themselves more than they thought they would is a wonderful feeling and even more so when they see the images afterward. If you want to look amazing on a photo shoot, the best advice I can give you is to just be yourself and be silly with it. You only live once, right?

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#10

This Lady Wanted A Fun Shoot For Her Daughter's 5th Birthday

This Lady Wanted A Fun Shoot For Her Daughter's 5th Birthday

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If there are any aspiring models (of any orientation) reading this who want to know how to get into the scene and start putting themselves out there to photographers around the UK, why not try the websites I got started on? Both Purpleport.co.uk and Modelfolio.io are great places to start. It's a great, fun hobby that I highly recommend to anyone. Just remember, don't take it too seriously, and have fun with it!

#14

This Lovely Lady Wanted To Shoot An Ode To Ursula & Divine

This Lovely Lady Wanted To Shoot An Ode To Ursula & Divine

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#16

Fly My Pretties, Fly!

Fly My Pretties, Fly!

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#18

Words Hurt

Words Hurt

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keom avatar
Keo M
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one is probably my favorite, props to the artist!

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#20

There Should Be More Ginger Mermaids

There Should Be More Ginger Mermaids

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Loki’s Lil Butter Knife
Community Member
1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually really love the original photograph. (Both are gorgeous though).

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#21

Poor, Unfortunate Soul

Poor, Unfortunate Soul

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Annie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the result! The colors, tentacles, and headpiece are perfect!

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#25

This Gent Wanted To Shoot A Supernatural Theme (The TV Show)

This Gent Wanted To Shoot A Supernatural Theme (The TV Show)

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#27

This Lady Has A Dream To Swim With Orcas, So I Made It Happen

This Lady Has A Dream To Swim With Orcas, So I Made It Happen

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#29

Maleficent Cosplay Fun

Maleficent Cosplay Fun

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Annie
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Love the way the colored smoke really enhances the photo!

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#30

Do Enjoy Me Some Paper Planes

Do Enjoy Me Some Paper Planes

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