Portal

Step into the surreal with the Portal Shoots—a playful, mind-bending project that blends modeling, conceptual photography, and digital trickery to create illusions of space, time, and transformation.

At its core, the Portal series explores a simple but visually striking concept: models interacting with holes—posing partially or fully within them—while imaginative post-processing turns these openings into something far more magical. With a little Photoshop wizardry, these “holes” become dimensional portals, connecting one part of the scene to another. A leg may disappear into one frame and emerge from an unexpected spot. A face may peek through one portal and a hand reaches out of another, suggesting movement through a mysterious spatial rift.

The project is both humorous and surreal, challenging visual logic while celebrating form, creativity, and composition. It’s inspired by classic optical illusions, cartoon physics, and the absurdity of impossible spaces—but reimagined through the lens of fashion and figure photography. What results is a strange and fascinating tension: polished, elegant models set against warped and playful environments where the rules no longer apply.

Each shoot begins with a physical space—walls with holes, sculptural props, or carefully positioned cutouts—into which the model contorts, interacts, or emerges. Some poses are graceful and deliberate, echoing the precision of a dancer or the elegance of a fashion spread. Others lean into comedy or confusion, as limbs extend through one space and bend impossibly into another. It’s this balance between high-art aesthetics and visual mischief that gives the Portal Shoots their unique tone.

The use of negative space becomes vital. Every inch of a model’s body and every edge of the portal must be considered in composition. It’s an ongoing experiment—how much of the subject can be shown? What if only half appears? What happens when a model enters one hole and seems to exit from somewhere completely unexpected? Each variation sparks new possibilities and unexpected visual jokes or revelations.

Styling varies across the galleries—from simple bodysuits and monochrome fabrics to bold fashion choices or even nude form studies—each look adding its own visual language to the portal illusion. Lighting plays a key role as well, helping to sell the trick and give dimensionality to both the model and the imagined space.

The post-production process becomes an extension of the shoot itself. Photoshop isn’t just used to clean up an image; it’s used to build the illusion, enhance the visual playfulness, and complete the story. A foot reaching through the wall might reappear dangling above the ceiling. A smile emerging on one side might seem unaware of a shadowy hand reaching out on the other. These are more than just poses—they’re spatial riddles.

Ultimately, the Portal Shoots are a celebration of visual possibility—pushing the boundaries of how we perceive space, beauty, and the body. They’re weird, whimsical, and full of curiosity. Whether you’re drawn to the elegant lines, the technical illusion, or the surreal storytelling, this series invites you to lose your sense of direction—and enjoy the visual ride.

Downloadable Galleries