This is just one of those sessions that took my breath away.
Recently, I've been focusing more on the artistic side of my photography, and it's been paying off in a big way. One example is this fantasy pond shoot that I was so happy to make come to life.
Several things came together to inspire this project. Firstly I've always had a love for ponds and swamps. I love a dark, moody, otherworldly aesthetic.
Another big inspiration I had for this was the iconic 1851 painting 'Ophelia' by artist Sir John Everett Millais. Ophelia is a character from William Shakespeare's play "Hamlet." She is often depicted in art, especially in the context of her tragic death. I was also inspired by various depictions of the 'Lady of the Lake' from the mythology of King Arthur. The Lady of the Lake is a significant figure in Arthurian legend, associated with magical powers and the mystique of Avalon. She appears in various medieval texts and later literary works, embodying different aspects of enchantment and guardianship.
I've seen photographers use pools to create the illusion of a real pond, and I immediately got to work on creating my set up. After weeks of planning and preparation, gathering supplies, finding the right real and fake vegetation, gathering the wardrobe, and finding a real authentic sword, it all came together better than what I could have hoped! I can't wait to pursue more projects like these.
