Frida Kahlo-Inspired Portraits with Crystal

An Elegant Exposures Project Studio Session

Elegant Exposures is all about exploring character and emotion through portraiture, using styling, symbolism, and strong visual identity. For this session, we drew inspiration from a figure whose gaze continues to challenge and captivate viewers almost a century on: Frida Kahlo. Working with Crystal, who I’ve photographed before, and the ever-talented Sue on styling, we approached this as more than a tribute. We treated it as a conversation with Frida’s work through costume, expression, and intention. You can view the final portraits and read the full behind-the-scenes write-up here: 👉 Frida Kahlo-Inspired Studio Portraits – An Elegant Exposures Session with Crystal

Why Frida?

Frida Kahlo’s influence goes far beyond her painting. Her personal image, political presence, and refusal to soften herself for anyone made her one of the most recognisable cultural icons of the 20th century. She painted her pain, wore her culture with pride, and met the viewer’s gaze without apology. That strength and presence were central to this shoot. We wanted to echo her visual style but also capture the weight of her expression. Stillness. Focus. Power.

Styling and Creative Direction

This shoot wouldn’t have come together without Sue, who handled all of the styling, headpieces, makeup, and wardrobe. She created three distinct looks for Crystal, drawing from Frida’s traditional Tehuana dress, her use of bold colours, and her layered jewellery and floral headdresses. We chose props carefully: a glass of wine and a cigarette, both of which Frida is frequently pictured with, not as glamour but as part of her reality. These items added realism and texture to the portraits without overwhelming the frame. Crystal brought quiet strength to each shot. Her gaze did most of the work. The sets were kept simple, and I used a shallow depth of field to draw focus onto her face, letting the background fade, just as it often did in Frida’s own painted works.

Exploring Identity Through Portraiture

Each Elegant Exposures session has its own tone. This one was reflective. Still. Controlled. But never cold. Frida Kahlo’s art confronted trauma, cultural identity, disability, and womanhood with raw clarity. That’s a hard balance to strike in portrait photography, but I believe Crystal helped carry that spirit forward in these frames. There’s no pretence. Just directness and presence. Rather than imitate Frida’s look outright, we focused on emotion and visual weight. We didn’t need to spell it out. The styling and Crystal’s performance said enough.

Want to See the Final Portraits?

The full blog post is now live and includes more detail on the creative process, lighting and backdrop decisions, styling breakdowns for all three looks, and reflections on Frida’s lasting influence. 👉 Read the full Frida Kahlo-inspired portrait session. This shoot is part of a wider Elegant Exposures series, where I collaborate with stylists, models, and artists to explore visual storytelling in a studio environment. Each one is an opportunity to experiment and honour identity in all its complexity.

Interested in Being Part of Elegant Exposures?

If you’re drawn to styled portraiture, character-driven sessions, or have a creative concept you’d like to explore, get in touch. Sessions can be tailored around a mood, a theme, or simply a feeling you’d like to express in front of the lens. 📧 Contact Bob 📷 Explore the portrait sessions