Photographer duo creates fun conceptual photos with super-simple props

We shared with you some photos by Daniel Rueda and Anna Devis before. The Spanish photographer duo is fun, playful, and creative, and so is their work. While they often combine architecture with portrait photography, this series is a tiny bit different. Using nothing but some simple props, Anna and Daniel create conceptual photos to make you look twice and put a smile on your face.

We first shared Anna’s and Daniel’s work in 2017 (boy, does the time fly). Even though both of them are architects, they are also passionate about illustration and photography. As a matter of fact, Anna has a master’s degree in Design and Illustration, and Daniel works as an architecture photographer. Today, they create incredible, creative artworks that combine all of their skills.

When the pandemic began, the duo shared their course Creative Photography for Social Media for free. In this course, I learned a bit about their thought process and how they get from an idea to the final result. I was amazed to see that they mainly use simple things to set the scene, often nothing but cardboard or paper!

Anna’s and Daniel’s process starts with an idea which then turns into several sketches. They expand and explore the idea until it gets the final shape. Then, it’s time to get the props. Anna and Daniel cut out and dye the paper for their scene. Then they shop for props like hats, clothes, or scarves, and of course – they color-match the clothes with the props or paper backdrop. You’d be surprised how much attention they devote to choosing a clothing piece that has the exact color they need. But hey, it’s all a part of the creative process.

On the shooting day, the duo normally goes outside. They shoot on location, using natural light. This means that they have to rely on the weather and take all of their props to the location. They have to set the scene, which usually requires them to stick a backdrop and the props to a wall. It all takes time, but if you ask me – it’s well worth it.

But after the sketching, creating, shopping, and shooting are done, the job isn’t done. There’s still editing, to which Anna and Daniel also pay a lot of attention. Their photos have a clean, simple, and very recognizable style. They don’t digitally add objects to their images: everything you see in the photos was actually there while shooting.

The journey one photo takes from an idea to a final product is pretty long. But Anna and Daniel make the process worth their while. And it’s not only their photos that are fun and playful; it’s even their titles and descriptions. They have published a couple of BTS videos, and even those are super-fun to watch.

I leave you now to the fantastic work of Anna and Daniel. You can find more of their awesome photos and video clips on Instagram (Anna, Daniel).