LONDON — Vanniall is featured in a new series of portraits shot by London photographer AJ Hamilton, aka TheTogFather.
The series places Vanniall in red body paint, devil horns, and black feathered wings against an apocalyptic setting that evokes the scale and drama of a Renaissance painting.
Hamilton's elaborate, hand-painted style draws heavily from classical art, mythology, and Renaissance imagery while using dramatic lighting and richly constructed environments.
"I knew AJ’s work before we shot, so I was excited to see what would happen when his world and mine collided," said Vanniall. “We discussed our favorite stories and myths, and I shared an interest in the idea of The Demon that we then explored together. Being painted red, putting on those horns and wings, and entering into this huge, otherworldly scene felt less like posing for photos and more like stepping inside a painting. It’s dramatic, strange, and beautiful in exactly the way I hoped it would be."
Added Hamilton, "I interpreted her as asking for the playful nature of the demon, but I also love the idea of reclaiming the things society has taught us to see as monstrous, shameful, or undesirable, and turning them into something sacred, powerful, and worthy of reverence and awe. The devil is a great archetype for that but also so misunderstood. As for the gold accents, I always associate that color with divinity, royalty, and sacredness. I feel Vanniall does an incredible job at celebrating herself and her body within spaces that usually encourage people to apologize or conceal themselves or minimize their identity."
The portrait series is now available at Vanniall.com.
Follow Vanniall on X.com.
