Aphrodite // Styled Shoot

Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, and procreation. Aphrodite was born from the foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus. She arose from the sea when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. She is the wife of Hephaestus and the lover of Ares.

Aphrodite was also frequently honored as a marine goddess, protecting travelers by sea. She had a magical girdle that contained her enchantments and caused people to fall in love with her. When Paris chose her as the most gorgeous goddess, she offered him the love of the most beautiful woman in the world, Helen of Sparta, leading to the start of the Trojan War.

A popular goddess, she was worshipped all throughout the Greek empire. Many mortals prayed to her to bless them with love and numerous festivals were held in her name. Aphrodite is described as a passionate, sensual, protective goddess with a maternal, yet vain nature.

The Greek goddess Aphrodite, often associated with her spectacular entrance from the sea, is represented by emblems symbolizing her feminine and gorgeous nature. Her symbols are a swan, rose, myrtle, dove, girdle, mirror, sparrow, dolphin, and scallop shell.

Photographer’s Statement:

The seven Greek Goddesses, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Demeter, Hera, Hestia, and Persephone, are a crucial part of Greek mythology. There were considered the pinnacle of beauty, power, and majesty. As such, there were the subject of fascination and admiration for the people in Ancient Greece. Each goddess had certain domains that they ruled over and were prominent in many myths.

I hope to capture my vision of the Greek goddesses in my photographs to showcase the way that I see beauty, power, history, literature, and art. This collection of work comes from my desire to preserve and showcase my vision of not only powerful, strong, beautiful women, but a wonderful ancient society that still continues to influence us in our world today.