I started this project because, well, it seemed like it would be hella fun, and it truly has been, every agonizing moment of it. I can’t say it’s been hard work, very little of my life as a photographer has ever really felt like work, even when I’m shooting jobs I’m not really ‘in’ to, this series in particular though has felt like a dream!
The driving force of the GIANT series was to create dreamlike scenes from my head without the use of extensive Photoshop – unusual, awe-inspiring images which are as real off-camera as they are in the photo. That is no easy feat, the images that appear in my head are pretty damn ambitious and some downright near impossible to create in real life.
Luckily, 2 and a half years ago, I met my partner William Conolly, who was on board with the project and was able to build extremely ambitious props that brought my dreams to life.
The driving force of the series was always to create an entire real to life scene in front of me, forgoing extensive Photoshop, to make the images as real to life as possible.
A lot of people ask, why giant stuff? Ok well, it’s not a deep connection to stories I read as a child, or a link to the fact that I’m pretty short, it is, more simply, the unreal element in a real world that I adore! I wanted a beautiful but realistic scene with an unrealistic element, however, by having the scene in front of me and having the props physically there, to me it meant the scenes FELT more real to look at.
Since viewing (and subsequently fangirling over) the works of Tim Walker, who I OF COURSE have to mention, I found that I could lose my self in his images more than other ‘fantasy’ images. I think the fact he created scenes with no Photoshop really gave the real element to his work…it’s almost hard to explain, but his work felt believable and, although it also included strong fantasy elements, his work felt real!
The images I have taken so far for the series are among my favourites of those I have ever taken! Seeing the images in my head come to life and the experience of shooting, especially getting to collaborate with make-up artists, hair stylists, florists, and course my amazing partner William.
Although I don’t see any kind of immediate end, here is the series so far…
A garden of my own – Zoe Sugg
Finding my way home – Nirrimi Hakanson
Fly away with me – Pip Phillips
Hang me out to dry – Self portrait
Hidden in the dolls house – Chloe Manning
Hooked – Nina Sever
Illuminate my imagination – Bella Kotak
Join the circus – Dani Race
My own sinking ship – Rosie Hardy
Paint me a picture – Bernadette Lemon
Secrets of the bluebells – Isabella Miszk
Sway – Megan Gilbride
Wind me up – Holly White
The Secret Garden – Skye Victoria
Alexandra Cameron is a freelance photographer based in London, England. Alexandra has had her work featured in publications including Marie Clare, The Independent, The Economist and Professional Photographer Magazine. You can find out more about her on her website, follow her work on Instagram, or reach out to her through Facebook. Article also published here and used with permission.
FIND THIS INTERESTING? SHARE IT WITH YOUR FRIENDS!