MERMAID DREAMS

“93 percent stardust, with souls made of flames, we are all just stars that have people names.”

- Nikita Gill

When I think of mystical and magical creatures, a mermaid is always at the top of the list. Mermaids symbolize femininity, freedom, intuition, playfulness, but also deceit and forbidden pleasures. There’s something hauntingly beautiful about mermaid lore; imagining beings dancing at the depths of the ocean, exploring shipwrecks and lost treasure, luring sailors to their untimely demise (without shedding a single pearlescent tear).

The idea of this shoot came about in a bit of a strange way. In early summer I started having dreams/visions of exploring underwater caves, seeing crystals at the bottom of the ocean, and being stranded in the ocean with no land in sight. Soon after, I started to feel more connected to the ocean, mythical lore, and aquatic life.

Julie wanted to bring a dreamy water goddess to life, and after hearing my experiences we decided to do a non-traditional take on a mermaid. Custom made mermaid tails can be reaaaally expensive, so we ended up using sheer, flowy fabric. We tried to do some underwater shots, but it was actually pretty challenging. I’m still very happy with my mermaid experience and how the photos turned out!

The “pearl” represents energy and shining inner light. We all use our energy in different ways and sometimes aren’t even aware of it. There will always be situations that disrupt, dull, or even deplete it, but the energy/light within us is a powerful thing and can always be nurtured and brought back to life. The deeper message here is to be mindful of how we give, who has access to us, if we’re using our energy wisely, and if we’re taking care of ourselves.

Often times life can feel heavy (um, hello 2020), and sometimes it’s necessary to tap into our “inner child” or mermaid-like, playful spirit to add a little lightheartedness and magic to our life.

Makeup | Anna Sky + Photography | Julie Floro