Home / Art

Brooke Shaden Dazzles Again with Beautifully Surreal Photos


Los Angeles-based photographer Brooke Shaden crafts hauntingly-beautiful works that seem to live in their own world. As we've seen before, she's no stranger to composing dark-yet-hopeful images of women in surreal settings. People shine and objects levitate in outdoor landscapes whose dreamy coloring evokes a painterly quality to the work. It's clear that a lot of care and consideration was given to every part of the surrounding environment, and we see small-yet-fantastic details like a field of wildflowers or colorful teal rocks in the background.

Movement is important in Shaden's work. Every subject has a very specific and acute way in which they're posed, and it makes their hair, dress, and other elements flow throughout the composition. It creates a lyrical type of story-telling, and Shaden's work sings lovely songs of women being inspired, and passionate, while enjoying the exquisite beauty of the world. Her unique vision brings out the dreamer in all of us.








Brooke Shaden Flickr and website

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met and Manager of My Modern Met Store. She is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art where she earned her BFA in Illustration and MFA in Illustration Practice. Sara is also an embroidery illustrator and writer living in Seattle, Washington. She runs Bear&Bean, a studio where she stitches pet portraits and other beloved creatures. She chronicles the creativity of others through her website Brown Paper Bag and newsletter, Orts. Her latest book is Threads of Treasure: How to Make, Mend, and Find Meaning Through Thread, published in 2014. Sara’s work has been recognized in Be Creative With Workbox, Embroidery Magazine, American Illustration, on Iron and Wine’s album Beast Epic, among others. When she’s not stitching or writing, Sara enjoys planning things that bring together the craft community. She is the co-founder of Camp Craftaway, a day camp for crafty adults with hands-on workshops in the Seattle area.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits