Creating these photos for this fairy-tale magazine was a dream come true. The world of elves has felt close to my heart since childhood and has profoundly shaped my artistic vision. I wanted to dream up a scene both beautiful and noble, something that might bring a touch of elven magic into everyday life.
As I considered what moment I wanted to preserve in these photographs, it struck me that we rarely see young elves or entire elven families. I decided to focus on the bond within a family, the connection between partners, and the tenderness between a mother and her children. The horse accompanying the family serves as their companion and protector—a bridge between humans and nature. The core message of my work, much like the message carried by the elves, is that nature is a part of us and remains our greatest source of inspiration. As a counterpart to the sunlit series, I also wanted to reveal the magical beauty of night and moonlight. At night, the glow of the moon gives the world something truly unique—white shines like its reflection, while all other colors fade away. Day and night each hold their own distinct charm in the world of the elves.
For the main model, I chose the well-known Czech film and theatre actress Marie Renčová Kružíková. She has appeared at the Shakespeare Summer Festival at Prague Castle, in several Czech films, and she’s also devoted to various charitable projects. Marie has been a great inspiration to me for many years. She’s a noble and kindhearted person who lives for others. Many people who have met her say that she radiates a gentle, fairy-like magic.
The young elven prince is portrayed by William Leupold, the” “first male descendant in his family line. Marie is his godmother, which makes the bond between them in the photographs entirely genuine. The elven princess was portrayed by Ella Preislerová, who enchanted us all with her softness, innocence, and a beautifully clear gaze that felt as though it looked straight into your soul. The Elf King was created by Daniel Synak, a Polish artist living in Prague. Daniel works as a puppeteer and delights in creating with his hands; he enjoys bringing a touch of magic into his life and loves woodcarving most of all. And, finally, the beautiful elven companion was portrayed by Nevado, a five-year-old stallion from Spain, lovingly cared for by Vendulka Šponarová.
When planning this photo shoot, I knew I wanted to uplift the spirit and bring a touch of elven magic to viewers. I reached out to Elvenlune, a jewelry artist whose work I have admired for many years for its handcrafted, historically inspired design. I was thrilled when Elvenlune created the two beautiful crowns you see here. I also contacted a dress designer, Klára Kornfeld, whose Ateliér Klér I have followed for a long time and whose creations I adore for their detailed craftsmanship and fairy-tale elegance. When designing the dresses, we agreed on a delicate lace made of tiny flowers—because what else should elves wear if not garments that look as though they were woven from hundreds
of blossoms?
