Devin dresses in her own designs—an enticing corset with hearts and a gothic red overcoat. She’s electric, her piercing gaze and overbearing presence filling the image. Her aura is tangible, exuding from her; it’s visible to the human eye.
In this photo series, I wanted to explore the realm between reality and fantasy. There’s a sense of actuality and surrealism, in which what used to be a straight image morphs into something else. The digital age blurs lines between what’s virtual and what’s real, and I quite liked the sense of a tangible fantasy. I find that often in my work, I prefer photos that distract from the mundanity of reality, whether it be through eccentric clothing, playful subjects, or unconventional angles. The idea of creating a fantasy that isn’t too far from reality is inherently enticing to me.
Inspired by magazine archives of the ’90s and early 2000s, I decided to include bold colors and hazed lighting—both of which were exaggerated on film. I also decided to scan my images with creases to play with the idea of scanning old archived editorials.
By Ashley Zhang
Modeled by Devin Ray
