Like all moms, artist Lucie Kruta wanted to capture memories of her kids while they grew up, and like most moms, she found that photography was the best way to do it.
However, unlike most moms, Lucie wasn't satisfied with run-of-the-mill snapshots. She wanted not only something more interesting and challenging, but she wanted a way to bond with her children and turn picture-taking into a family activity, too.
After all, sharing an appreciation of art and creativity is a great way to nurture young talent, and it results in some great work, too! While one mom decided to collaborate with her young daughter on paintings, Lucie opted for photography — with a painting-inspired twist!
Using her children, and occasionally herself and her husband, as models, Lucie recreated a number of famous paintings from artists throughout history. She set up the positions, the lighting, the backdrops, and the costumes, and created some really clever, unique family photos.
Check out some of her photos, along with the paintings that inspired them, and see if you get any inspiration to try something a bit different for your next family photo shoot!
[H/T: BoredPanda]
Luci takes inspiration from artists of all time periods and styles, and tries to mimic them as closely as possible in her photos. Of course, her kids' personalities always manage to shine through, which is also what she wants!
This was her first photo of 2016, and it's modeled on Alphonse Mucha's Jaroslava.
Creating these photos also gives Lucie time to bond with her children, and make some fun memories along the way. Of course, there are logistics to consider, as well.
In this recreation of The Corn Poppy by Kees van Dongen, Lucie opted to skip the mascara and eyeshadow on her daughter to avoid a mess. But it came out pretty well regardless!
Lucie named the blog where she compiles her creations (now numbering near 300) Rembrandted Kids, but this was the first time she actually used a Rembrandt painting!
To create the costumes found in the paintings, she sometimes has to get a little creative. A few scarves make a great substitute for the tall fur cap in this painting.
And the same goes for outmoded hairstyles! This portrait by Jean-François Millet features some loops of hair, but Lucie made do with some makeshift braids from a dress-up set.
And the paintings don't have to be detailed or realistic to inspire Lucie. One of Matisse's cutouts, which feature simple blue shapes, was recreated by laying out some fabric and props on the floor.
And in place of a large jug, Lucie's son made a great stand-in.
Lucie also uses other subjects for her photos besides her own kids, including friends and family. This baby's grandmother was a dancer, and so she used one of Degas' ballerina paintings as inspiration. Some doll limbs create the illusion of other dancers.
And sometimes, inspiration comes from some pretty unlikely places. Lucie's kids got some novelty stick-on eyebrows as a gift, and naturally, Lucie was instantly reminded of Frida Kahlo, an artist famous for her dramatic eyebrows.
Lucie also works with a lot of moms who want an original take on a mom-and-baby photo. This woman and her baby are posing as Madonna and child after a painting by Italian baroque painter Sassoferrato.
So how did this all start? Well, a long time ago, Lucie was taking a picture of her then-newborn daughter when she noticed that the baby bore a striking resemblance to a girl in a painting by Édouard Manet.
And the rest was history. By her count, Lucie has created about 280 photos based on famous works of art, all starring her children and other family members.
And sometimes the source material doesn't even have to involve a human! Here's a fun take on a famous Magritte painting.
You can see many more of Lucie's projects on her blog, and be sure to SHARE these creative family photos with someone who's been looking to do something a little different for their family album!
