Snaptober Day 10's prompt: Forbidden
I have to give full credit to Bri from @cakestitchstudio for coming up with the idea of using Persephone for this one!
If you're familiar with Greek mythology, you probably know the story of Persephone and Hades. But if not, here's a quick overview of the mythology that inspired this photoshoot.
Persephone is the goddess of spring and the daughter of Demeter, the goddess of agriculture and the harvest. In the myth, Hades takes Persephone to the Underworld. Demeter's grief causes the earth to become barren, bringing winter and threatening humanity with starvation.
Eventually, Zeus sends Hermes to bring Persephone back. But before she leaves the Underworld, Persephone eats pomegranate seeds offered by Hades. Because she has eaten food from the Underworld, she must spend part of each year there, returning to Earth for the rest.
Her time in the Underworld is associated with winter, while her return brings spring.
This is a very simplified version of the myth, and there are different versions of the story worth exploring if you're interested in Greek mythology!
For the prompt Forbidden, the pomegranate seeds were the perfect inspiration. They represent the choice that binds Persephone to the Underworld, making them a fitting symbol for a story about temptation, transformation, and the boundary between two worlds.
And, of course, I couldn't resist turning that mythology into a creative photoshoot!
Bringing Persephone to Life Through Fantasy Photography
For this concept, Bri created Persephone's outfit using a floral dress and drapery. We incorporated flowers, pomegranates, and a fake skull to bring together the beauty of spring and the darker atmosphere of the Underworld.
I love the contrast in this concept. Persephone is connected to flowers, growth, and new life, but she's also the Queen of the Underworld. There's something fascinating about bringing those two sides of a character together in a single photoshoot.
Rather than choosing one interpretation of Persephone, we wanted to explore both.
The floral styling helped capture her connection to the world above, while the pomegranates and skull added a darker, more dramatic element. Together, these details created an ethereal fantasy look inspired by Greek mythology.
One of my favorite things about fantasy photography is that you don't have to recreate a character exactly as they've appeared in a book, movie, or game. You can take inspiration from the original story and reinterpret it through costumes, props, lighting, and your own creative ideas.
That's what makes these kinds of collaborations so much fun. You can start with a familiar myth and find a completely new way to tell the story through photographs.
From the Garden to the Underworld
For this shoot, we photographed Persephone in two different settings to represent the two worlds connected to her mythology.
We started outside in a garden, using the natural surroundings to represent Persephone on Earth. The flowers and greenery complemented her outfit and highlighted her connection to spring and the living world.
Then we moved into the studio, where we used a red backdrop to represent the Underworld.
The change in setting gave us a completely different atmosphere to work with. Instead of the natural, garden-inspired environment, the red backdrop helped create a more dramatic, otherworldly feeling.
I love how much you can change the story of a photoshoot by changing the environment, even when you're photographing the same character in the same outfit.
You don't always need elaborate sets or complicated special effects to create a strong concept. Sometimes, choosing the right backdrop and thinking carefully about what it represents can completely transform the feeling of an image.
For Persephone, moving between the garden and the studio helped us explore her dual identity as the goddess of spring and Queen of the Underworld.
When Everything Comes Together
One of my favorite moments from this photoshoot was when the lighting was just right.
You know those moments when everything seems to align? The lighting, the pose, the composition, and the overall feeling of the image all come together at once?
I took the photograph and immediately knew it was the picture for this photoshoot.
I showed it to Bri, and we both got goosebumps.
Those are the moments I love most about creative photography. You can spend time developing a concept, creating an outfit, choosing props, and experimenting with different ideas, but sometimes there's one image where everything suddenly clicks.
And when you're working with someone who shares your creative vision, getting to experience that moment together makes it even better.
It's one of the reasons I love collaborating with other creatives. We're not simply taking pictures of a costume or documenting a look. We're working together to create something that feels special, and sometimes the results are even better than we imagined.
A Creative Partnership Built on Fantasy and Storytelling
Bri and I have been working together for years. We originally met at a convention and started collaborating on creative projects here and there. Over time, those collaborations turned into a friendship and a regular creative partnership.
We've created three comic book covers together, and we now try to put together a creative photoshoot at least once a month!
I love having creative people in my life who are always excited to experiment with new concepts. Working together regularly gives us the opportunity to keep exploring ideas, trying different styles, and pushing ourselves creatively.
This Persephone photoshoot is a great example of that process. Bri brought the idea to the table, created the outfit, and helped develop the concept. Together, we turned that inspiration into a series of fantasy portraits.
That's one of the things I want people to know about working with me: you don't need to arrive with every detail planned out. If you have a character, a story, a costume, or even just a vague idea of an image you'd love to create, we can work together to figure out how to bring it to life.
Some of my favorite projects come from collaborating with people who are excited to experiment and see where an idea takes us.
Looking for a Fantasy or Cosplay Photographer in Phoenix, Arizona?
If you're a cosplayer, fantasy fan, model, or creative who wants to bring an imaginative concept to life, I'd love to work with you!
As a Phoenix, Arizona-based creative photographer, I love photographing fantasy-inspired portraits, cosplay, mythology-inspired concepts, and creative projects that go beyond traditional portrait photography.
Maybe you want to bring a favorite character to life. Maybe you're inspired by Greek mythology, fantasy novels, folklore, or a video game you've loved for years. Or maybe you have an original character and want photographs that capture their personality and story.
Whatever you're imagining, we can work together to develop the concept, explore styling and props, and create images that feel unique to your vision.
You don't need an elaborate costume, a professional design team, or a fully developed plan before reaching out. Sometimes, all you need is an idea and a willingness to get creative!
Ready to step into your fantasy? I'll meet you there. Book a photoshoot here!
This is Day 10 of Snaptober, inspired by the prompt Forbidden. Follow along throughout October as I continue exploring new prompts, creative collaborations, and imaginative ways to tell stories through photography.
Happy Snaptober!
