I know, I know, the internet is obsessed with Disney princesses. We've seen them reimagined as a bunch of different things over the past few years, but this photo series by photographer Tony Ross in collaboration with designer Nephi Garcia is STUNNING, and refreshing.
The series shows Disney princesses and what they would look like if they aged and became beautiful queens. It's meant to celebrate the connection between mothers and daughters, as well as independence.
"I was hoping to show them that these princesses are not just meant to dress up prettily, but they each have a responsibility," Garcia told BuzzFeed. "A sense of realism, you know. I want to show the world that they are independent and mature. That they've had a fulfilled life."
"I was hoping to show them that these princesses are not just meant to dress up prettily, but they each have a responsibility," Garcia told BuzzFeed. "A sense of realism, you know. I want to show the world that they are independent and mature. That they've had a fulfilled life."
"I was hoping to show them that these princesses are not just meant to dress up prettily, but they each have a responsibility," Garcia told BuzzFeed. "A sense of realism, you know. I want to show the world that they are independent and mature. That they've had a fulfilled life."
All the women photographed are mother and daughter IRL, except for Snow White, who is portrayed by a woman and her mother-in-law.
They also got friends and family to portray the princesses and queens because they thought they'd be the best people to relay the message.
"We reached out to friends and family we personally knew. We tried to keep it within a more personal group of people we knew would be truly interested in the project who could represent the theme powerfully," Ross told BuzzFeed.
"We reached out to friends and family we personally knew. We tried to keep it within a more personal group of people we knew would be truly interested in the project who could represent the theme powerfully," Ross told BuzzFeed.
"We reached out to friends and family we personally knew. We tried to keep it within a more personal group of people we knew would be truly interested in the project who could represent the theme powerfully," Ross told BuzzFeed.
Ross said the series was also made to cherish and appreciate precious relationships between loved ones.
"The main goal with this project was to remind not only mothers and daughters, but everyone and their loved ones, to always appreciate the time spent together and the impact they have on each other's lives and to never take such a precious relationship for granted," Ross explained.
"The main goal with this project was to remind not only mothers and daughters, but everyone and their loved ones, to always appreciate the time spent together and the impact they have on each other's lives and to never take such a precious relationship for granted," Ross explained.
"The main goal with this project was to remind not only mothers and daughters, but everyone and their loved ones, to always appreciate the time spent together and the impact they have on each other's lives and to never take such a precious relationship for granted," Ross explained.
There was a lot of thought put into the designs and props, though the differences might seem subtle.
"I added a sense of whimsicality and youth in the younger characters' dresses, and for their moms, I made sure to add maturity, leadership, and a key element that connects the younger person to the elder. Like Belle, for example, she was holding the magic mirror on the younger photo, perhaps the scene where she was looking for her father. On the older version, I wanted her to be hugging the mirror and give the look that she wishes she could see her father one more time," Garcia shared.
"I added a sense of whimsicality and youth in the younger characters' dresses, and for their moms, I made sure to add maturity, leadership, and a key element that connects the younger person to the elder. Like Belle, for example, she was holding the magic mirror on the younger photo, perhaps the scene where she was looking for her father. On the older version, I wanted her to be hugging the mirror and give the look that she wishes she could see her father one more time," Garcia shared.
"I added a sense of whimsicality and youth in the younger characters' dresses, and for their moms, I made sure to add maturity, leadership, and a key element that connects the younger person to the elder. Like Belle, for example, she was holding the magic mirror on the younger photo, perhaps the scene where she was looking for her father. On the older version, I wanted her to be hugging the mirror and give the look that she wishes she could see her father one more time," Garcia shared.
Ross and Garcia really wanted this series to be not only beautiful, but also sentimental.
"We aimed to touch more on the sentimental aspect of the characters and tied it in with such an important part of everyone's lives, the relationships we have with our mothers and others. It was more than just a concept to try out but a heartfelt message that many can personally relate to," said Ross.
"We aimed to touch more on the sentimental aspect of the characters and tied it in with such an important part of everyone's lives, the relationships we have with our mothers and others. It was more than just a concept to try out but a heartfelt message that many can personally relate to," said Ross.
"We aimed to touch more on the sentimental aspect of the characters and tied it in with such an important part of everyone's lives, the relationships we have with our mothers and others. It was more than just a concept to try out but a heartfelt message that many can personally relate to," said Ross.
If you'd like to keep up with Tony and Nephi's work, follow their Instagram accounts, @tonyross001 and @designerdaddy_.
