Linda Blacker Discusses New YouTuber Fairytale Series

Linda Blacker has teamed up with YouTubers Helen Anderson and Niki and Sammy Albon for her latest photo series.

The photos are the latest part of YouTuber Fairytales, for which Linda has previously photographed the likes of Lucy and Lydia Connell for a Mother Nature-themed shoot, and Hazel Hayes and Dodie Clark for a Snow White-inspired piece. For this series, she decided to team up with Helen Anderson and twins Niki and Sammy Albon for The Guardian of the Maze, an elvish adventure.

HELEN ANDERSON AS THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – PART ONE 🔮 Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the beautiful @helenanderz for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and create a character for! 💜 Thank you to amazing make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! The Story A bird sings softly and insects burrow deeply as a dark purple smoke weaves it's way through the evergreen of a lost maze, coming to settle at the feet of a powerful being. The Guardian of the Maze. The Guardian pauses, and looks into a crystal ball that she holds between her fingertips. In the centre of the ball she sees two shadowy figures. They march for the maze, seeking its power. The smoke around her grows thicker. This Guardian will not let them enter the labyrinth. She knows their goal, like all others, is to reach the centre of the maze to gain access to the portal. The portal that leads to her home land. The Kingdom of Mages. A world where magic knows no bounds, and all outsiders thirst for its power. Let the battle begin. Part Two, Thursday at 7pm! #youtubers #youtuberfairytale #lindablacker #fairytale #malificent #helenanderson

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on May 31, 2016 at 9:04am PDT

Linda has worked with Helen, Niki and Sammy for previous YouTuber Fairytale stories, as well as for individual projects. Speaking with TenEighty, she describes what it’s like to work with the trio:

“I actually have the unfortunate (just kidding) pleasure of living with the twins, [as] Sammy’s my boyfriend, and I’ve worked with them many times on different projects. I’ve also enjoyed working with Helen before individually; she has a fantastic look with great style and is genuinely a pleasure to be around. Bringing them together for a shoot was a lot of fun!”

HELEN ANDERSON & NIKI N SAMMY IN THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – PART TWO 🔮 Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the AMAZING @helenanderz & @nikinsammy for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and a super fun day! Thank you to the brilliant make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! The Story Part Two (See previous posts for Part One) A cool breeze blows through the winding pathways of the Great Maze. At the entrance stand two Dark Elves. These cunning creatures seek the magic of the Great Mages as a gift to the Dark Elf Kingdom. The Guardian shrouds herself in a powerful magic to hide from their senses as she materialises behind them. As she stands at the entrance she frowns at those before her. These intruders seem different, she can sense no evil in their hearts, but instead a great loneliness and sadness. Nevertheless, their intention of gaining access to the Mages world remains the same, and it is her duty as the Guardian to prevent this. And so, with a swish of her staff she disappears back to the centre of the labyrinth as the first elf steps over it's threshold. Part Three, Tuesday at 7pm! #youtubers #youtuberfairytale #lindablacker #fairytale #malificent #helenanderson

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on Jun 2, 2016 at 10:02am PDT

The shoot, which took place in May, comprises six images, released between 31 May and 12 June. As with previous fairytale shoots, Linda teamed up with makeup artist Ashleigh Bunce to help bring the characters to life.

NIKI'N'SAMMY IN THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – PART THREE 🔮 Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the awesome @nikinsammy for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and a super fun day! This series also stars @helenanderz who has appeared in the last two photos and will appear in the rest of the series! Thank you to the brilliant make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! The Story Part Three All noise from the outside world ceased and a deathly silence fell upon the labyrinth. The height of the great maze was overwhelming. The two elves felt small and vulnerable as they began the perilous journey to the centre of the monstrous puzzle. They had heard rumours of a powerful Mage who guarded the labyrinth, but they weren't afraid. They knew that their magical skill, team work, and great wit made them a force to be reckoned with. The elves' one goal was to reach the centre of the maze, access the portal of the Great Mages, allowing them to be transported to the Mage's Kingdom. Here they would find a magical source of unlimited power which they could steal and return to the Dark Elf Kingdom. The two elves simply wished to be accepted by the kingdom of Elves, but had always been mocked and despised for being too forgiving and kind to their enemies. Their kin thought them weak. However, by completing the maze and providing the Elf Kingdom with great power, they were sure to be welcomed with open arms. Suddenly the labyrinth began to shake violently around them, warping in on them from above. A purple smoke emerged from the darkness, curling around their bodies, suffocating them. Will the maze defeat the elves so early in their venture? #photography #art #nikinsammy #fairytale #lindablacker #youtuber #youtuberfairytale

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on Jun 5, 2016 at 11:49am PDT

The six images tell a story that was entirely created by Linda herself. “It follows the two dark elves – Niki and Sammy – as they enter the Enchanted Maze in order to reach the Mage’s realm,” she explains. “The maze is protected by the guardian – played by Helen – whom wields a powerful staff, which also doubles as the portal to the Mage’s realm. The two elves want to bring back powerful magic, so that they feel accepted by their kin.”

HELEN ANDERSON & NIKI N SAMMY IN THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – PART FOUR 🔮 Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the AMAZING @helenanderz & @nikinsammy for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and a super fun day! Thank you to the brilliant make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! Smoke grenades purchased from Enoyla Gaye @smokegrenades The Story Part Four (To see the first three parts, see my previous posts!) The Story Part Four The Elves lungs began to fill with smoke and a wild terror consumed their hearts. Amidst the panic, one of the elves gathered enough strength and began to chant a magical spell under his breath. Suddenly a thick green plume of smoke billowed from the elves hands, a powerful form of mana at their fingertips. A feeling of calm washed over them as they felt the presence of their magic. The Elves threw their hands into the air in a quick unified motion, causing the suffocating purple smoke to be blasted away, and the hedge maze to cease shaking and settle. Catching their breath, they lean against the hedge. A sudden bright light filled the air, causing the Elves to fall back in shock, their hands raised protectively over their eyes. The darkness of the maze returned and as their eyes readjusted to the gloom a figure came into view. There before them stood a powerful being, the Guardian of the Maze herself. Without hesitation, the Guardian began to weald her staff and sent a powerful burst of mana at the Elves. The Elves were thrown in opposite directions and landed in heaps on the floor. The Guardian focused on the elf to her left and using her powerful magic, lifted the elf into the air, tightening his throat and depriving him of oxygen. As the elf struggled, his comrade began to summon mana, and in an overwhelming rage blasted it towards the Guardian! A haze of purple and green mana filled the air and the battle raged on. #photography #art #youtuberfairytale #lindablacker #helenanderson #nikinsammy

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on Jun 7, 2016 at 11:22am PDT

Linda enjoys working with YouTubers on these photo series, as the creators she collaborates with are often enthusiastic and easy to work with. When asked what her favourite part of this shoot was, she says: “We had a lot of fun with the smoke grenades! At one point, all three of them had tears streaming down their faces from the green smoke after the wind turned and blew it back [in] their faces – oops!”

HELEN ANDERSON & NIKI N SAMMY IN THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – PART FIVE 🔮 Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the AMAZING @helenanderz & @nikinsammy for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and a super fun day! Thank you to the brilliant make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! Smoke grenades purchased from Enoyla Gaye @smokegrenades The Story Part Five Plumes of purple and green smoke filled the sky, the maze around them growing darker beneath the colourful cloud. The Guardian and the Elves were locked in conflict in the maze below. The Guardian drew back her staff to launch her fatal magic at her enemy. But as she launched her attack, a blinding white light exploded from the tip. The Guardian and the Elves fell to floor engulfed by the white light, momentarily deprived of their sight. A powerful voice rose out of the silence and met their ears. It was the voice of one of the Greats, from the Kingdom of Mages. ‘Cease this fight. Your battle is misplaced and misjudged. You are not enemies and these elves place no threat to the Mage’s Kingdom.’ The light around them began to fade and their sight slowly restored. The Elves were taken aback and the Guardian seemed wary that this was some of the mischievous elves’ trickery. Deep down she could sense that the two elves were simply misguided. Struggling to find acceptance amongst their kin, which had driven them to complete this dangerous task. The voice returned, bellowing instructions to the triad. ’Each of you, place a hand on the Guardian’s Staff! We shall show you what you need to see.’ Tentatively, the Guardian and the Elves rose up, each placing a hand on the staff. A feeling of great ease fell upon them. This restorative energy passed through them, imparting great knowledge and power from the Mage’s Kingdom. From this day forth, their fates were tied.

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on Jun 9, 2016 at 9:18am PDT

The Guardian of the Maze is the fifth story in the YouTuber Fairytales series. “My first solo YouTuber Fairytale shoot was with Carrie Hope Fletcher, who was amazing to work with,” says Linda, “and since then, it has been really exciting working with other personalities in order to create their own fairytale worlds.

“Every time I’m behind the camera is a new experience and chance to progress, and I love any opportunity to sit down and create new stories and adventures.”

HELEN ANDERSON & NIKI N SAMMY IN THE GUARDIAN OF THE MAZE – THE FINALE 🔮 I really hope you all enjoyed this series!!! Photography, styling, concept & story by @lindablacker Please follow me to see the rest of the series and much more! Thank you to the AMAZING @helenanderz & @nikinsammy for starring in this photo series! A true pleasure to work with and a super fun day! Thank you to the brilliant make up artist @ashleighmua who achieved the amazing make up for this photo series! Smoke grenades purchased from Enoyla Gaye @smokegrenades The Story The Kingdom of Mages had blessed them with a vision of the future, if the Guardian and Elves were to battle no more. And what a future they saw! The Elves had been fighting to be accepted by the Kingdom of Dark Elves, by wreaking havoc on the Kingdom of Mages. But the Great Mages saw the pain in the Elves hearts and knew no evil dwelled within. The Great Mages showed the Elves and the Guardian that together they could become a formidable power and with them as Guardians, no evil could threaten the Maze again. Through the vision the Elves learnt that they need not change themselves to please those who did not warrant them worthy. And so it came to be that the three magical beings became The Trio of Guardians. The Elves had finally found their true home, but a great darkness began to stir in the east. The Kingdom of Dark Elves were coming, furious of the Two Elves betrayal. A new unseen darkness would fall upon the Maze… Can the Trio be the Guardians the Mages believe them to be? To be continued… THE END

A photo posted by Linda Blacker (@lindablacker) on Jun 12, 2016 at 10:30am PDT

Linda can’t say which YouTubers she might work with next, but she confirms that there has been a lot of interest, and she has a whole list of creators she hopes to work with. “There will be a shoot soon!” she promises.

Those wishing to view more of Linda’s work can visit her Instagram, and those interested in seeing more of Ashleigh’s work can do so on her official website.

Want More?

This past January, Linda teamed up with Louise Pentland for a Snow Queen-inspired shoot. Alternatively, you could read about Claudia Boleyn‘s debut EP!

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