- Yana Crane Photography
"Anne of Green Gables" Inspired
My love of photography storytelling comes from the love of books. Since I was at school I have always been an avid reader. Now I collect, read and enjoy books with my daughters. I think we are very lucky to have an opportunity to read books in two languages, getting to know great children's authors from many cultures.
Living in Canada we have discovered some really good books. One of them was Anne of Green Gables. We fell in love with her personality and my girls wanted to get into that time and place and meet her. Although it wasn't possible physically, it gave me an idea of creating my own Anne, my vision of her...
I was lucky to find Faith! After she and her parents agreed to do this project everything else just came together. I think she really fits the imagery of Anne and was so natural, easy to work with.
Living in such a beautiful place it wasn't easy to pick a location. Finally I chose to do this photoshoot at Silverstar Mountain Resort. After living in Vernon for 10 years I recently found out that Silverstar is not only for winter skiing. I know, right? In Summer hills are blossoming with wild flowers, tall pines create a mystic background and some old wooden buildings give that vintage vibe I needed.
To create a memorable image you don't really need much. Just a few main attributes which bring an association with the subject in our mind. I was relying on book illustrations and movies as well as my understanding of her character to create this image of Anne.
She is a wild and free spirit, curious about life and all the things around her. She is honest and sincere. She loves people and nature, she loves to learn, she loves to be the best at what she is doing, she is very competitive and hardworking, brave and at the same time vulnerable. Anne is a big dreamer and has that sparkle of life which lights up everything around her. Her inner beauty shines out and shows in all of her being.
“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“Dear old world', she murmured, 'you are very lovely, and I am glad to be alive in you.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“People laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them, haven't you?”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Anne loves to read. Books and words are her friends, she admires complex words. They are like music to her and she loves to play it!
I always insist that we read a book first and then watch a movie based on it. This way we can let our own imagination evolve, get to know characters without anyone else interpreting it for us. Anne of Green Gables gave us a few hours of discussion and my kids were fascinated with the way people used to live - how children worked, how much they helped their parents, how many practical things they knew and could do. We felt a great connection with our past and hopefully you will feel it too, through this photos.
“Because when you are imagining, you might as well imagine something worth while.”
Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it?”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“Why must people kneel down to pray? If I really wanted to pray I’ll tell you what I'd do. I'd go out into a great big field all alone or in the deep, deep woods and I'd look up into the sky—up—up—up—into that lovely blue sky that looks as if there was no end to its blueness. And then I'd just feel a prayer.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
“The world calls them its singers and poets and artists and storytellers; but they are just people who have never forgotten the way to fairyland.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
I would love to hear about a photoshoot of your dreams - from candid and photojournalistic to styled and imaginary! Reach out to learn availabilities here!
I am open to collaboration with photographers and creatives. If you think we are a good fit, send me a message. Let's create together and have fun!
Yana Crane Photography, lifestyle and documentary storytelling, located in Vernon, BC (Okanagan valley).