Stories have been told for as long as humans could communicate. For centuries, legendary creatures have been forged from the stories that communities pass down. These souls, whether they are real or not have changed the way different communities live and understand the world around them. Inspired by the well-known stories of Bigfoot, The Jersey Devil, and the Wendigo, my project shows the relation between these creatures and the communities they stem from.

The scenes in the photographs are constructed dioramas made to represent the location in which the cryptids live. In the foreground, unsuspecting groups of people live out their daily lives, hiking, fishing, and camping. In the background, the creature lurks, hidden by the ignorance of the people. My project uses the creativity of miniatures, photographing the sets in a way to make it look real. The miniature figures represent how small the stories might be seen to the rest of the world, but in reality, the beings that these sets showcase have a large impact on how the people it affects live out their lives.

For as long as I can remember, the supernatural has been a part of my life. Stemming from my religious beliefs, I have taken interest in these other-worldly things. As a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I have studied and been taught that heaven is on Earth, separated by a veil unseen to the naked eye. Because of that belief, I view these beings and how they live as the same. Just as the ghosts of people who have passed can be seen, these cryptids are just as paranormal. Ghosts, folklore, and the things that can’t be explained have found their way into my life, much like the legends of each of these beings have found their way into the lives of many others across the country. Through this project, I hope to show awareness for these creatures and keep their stories alive.