Dodie CLark and Hazel Hayes were photographed as part of fine arts photographer Linda Blacker’s latest photo series.
The series comes on the heels of a handful of YouTuber collaborations Linda has hosted over the past two months, including a fairy-themed shoot with Carrie Hope Fletcher, and a Snow Queen-inspired series with Louise Pentland. With her latest shoot, Linda has decided to continue the tale of Snow White, with Dodie Clark playing the title character and Hazel Hayes as the Evil Queen.
“Through my work, I try to create or retell stories by combining imagery and narrative,” explains Linda, speaking with TenEighty. “In this photoshoot, I wanted to work with characters [that] resonated with Dodie and Hazel: the delicate, yet strong-willed Snow White and the beautiful, determined Evil Queen.”
The photoshoot was the first time either Hazel and Dodie have worked with Linda. When asked how the experience was, Dodie says: “Linda is incredibly talented and just lovely. She’s professional, but you barely notice it. It definitely doesn’t feel like work at all!”
“It was an absolute pleasure working with Linda,” adds Hazel. “It was great to finally see the master at work! I’ve adored and admired her photography for a long time, so to be a part of one of her shoots was such an honour.”
The photos in the series were published in four parts, with the first being uploaded on 24 January and the final on 3 February. In order to bring both Snow White and the Evil Queen to life, Linda teamed up with UK make-up artist, Ashleigh Bunce.
When asked how it felt to be turned into Snow White, Dodie explains that it felt a little bizarre:
“Linda kept reminding me that I was in character. I was, at first, a bit self-conscious, feeling nothing like myself in a very feminine costume. But after about half an hour, I was prancing around, pretending to sing to birds, whilst Hazel was working a fierce pout!”
“I think we all know Linda cast this shoot pretty well,” says Hazel. “Me as an Evil Queen and Dodie as the beautiful naïve princess? Perfect! I mean, I’ve been compared to Cersei [of Game of Thrones] and President Coin [of The Hunger Games] by TenEighty before, so I know you get it. And, of course, I felt very comfortable as that character.”
The images within the photo series tell a sequel to the original Snow White fairytale. An original idea from Linda, the story picks up with Snow White being queen of the kingdom she relinquished from her evil stepmother. While she is initially able to live in peace within the castle and its gardens, the photos show what happens when the Evil Queen decides to take revenge upon Snow White and her kingdom.
“Linda has a wonderful way of taking a classic tale and making it her own,” Hazel explains. “She wanted to convey that moment when Snow White is lured in by the Evil Queen with an apple, takes a bite and is cursed. In this version, instead of dying as a result of biting the apple, Snow White is trapped inside the mirror and the Evil Queen is released.”
As with a lot of Linda’s previous photography, the Snow White photo series delves into the world of fairytales and fantasy. When asked why she chose to focus her work in this genre, she replies:
“To me, there is not greater joy than escapism, which has no rawer form than fairytale and fantasy. A world created in your mind isn’t constrained by the difficulties and troubles we experience in this world. This means my photoshoots can be whatever I want them to be, when inspired by a fairytale.”
Those interested in viewing the photos in full quality can do so by visiting Linda’s Instagram page. Those looking to view Ashleigh’s work can do so by visiting her Facebook page.
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