Punk Monster Mash-Up
Punk Monster Mash-Up is a fantasy portrait series that blends steampunk, post-apocalyptic design, folklore, horror, and cosplay into a shared fictional world. Rather than documenting costumes, the goal was to create cinematic portraits that make each character feel as though they exist beyond the frame.
Photographed on location in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville, the environment became an extension of each character's story. Dense forests, abandoned structures, open fields, and shallow waterways provided natural stages for a diverse cast of creatures ranging from mechanical automatons and wandering witches to fungal monsters and supernatural beings.
Throughout the project, I focused on creating variety in both composition and storytelling. Wide environmental portraits establish each character within the landscape, while intimate close-ups highlight handcrafted costume details, makeup, and expression. As the series progresses, the atmosphere gradually shifts from fantasy and adventure toward darker horror-inspired imagery, culminating in the final water sequence.
This project was built through collaboration with talented cosplayers, designers, and fellow creatives who embraced the concept and helped transform an ambitious idea into a cohesive visual narrative.
Equipment
Nikon Z7 II
Godox AD300 Pro lighting system
Adobe Lightroom Classic
Adobe Photoshop
Project Details
Photography & Creative Direction: David Reyer
Genre: Fantasy • Horror • Steampunk • Cosplay • Portraiture
Location: Deserted Village of Feltville, New Jersey
