Local Photographer Recreates A Favourite Peterborough Pastime With Lego People

Peterborough photographer Mark Craighead has become a hit on social media with his action figure portraits.

Photo by Mark L. Craighead Photography.

“I stole my dads old film camera when I was in highschool - with his blessing ofcourse - I guess photography has been in my blood forever,” said Craighead.

What started off as creating a Christmas gift for a friend quickly turned into over 20 years of photographing action figures and displaying them at local art shows.

“With the action figures I try to create a false perspective to make them look like portraits of real people,” he said. “When I made that first portrait for my friend so long ago it just sparked something for me, I love it.”

On Wednesday Craighead took to his social media to post about his experience in making these creations.

In the post he mentioned that he was planning on applying to a local art festival, but ultimately decided not to.

‘I was about half way through it, and I sat back and thought, 'do I really want to do this?'. Did I really want to jump through all the hoops again, and tell them, in so many words or less, why I, as an artist, deserve their funding, and therefore their acceptance and approval?’ he wrote in the post. '‘ It feels like a judgement on your worth as an artist, and as an artist who creates by pouring your whole self into the work, it feels, by extension, like a judgement on your worth as a person.’

After he decided to give up on the application process he posted a picture of his latest creation to his Facebook page and went to bed.

The next day his image had been shared to the East City Ptbo Facebook page, as well on PTBOCanada’s social platforms.

“It was really refreshing. Going through the process of applying for shows is very taxing,” he said. “When you’re trying to justify yourself and how your art is art, that it’s deserving of funding or some ones studio space, it’s really challenging and it can be exhausting, especially during these times.”

Craighead noted that had he completely given up and not posted that image, he would not have been able to see the many positive reactions from the community. While he doesn’t create art to generate ‘Likes’ on social media, being accepted and celebrated by Peterborough

Craigheads action figure shots and other photography can be viewed on his website. He has prints and other products available for sale on Redbubble.com, he is also currently doing a Valentines day promotion, valid until Feb. 1. Orders can be made through his website.

Mark L. Craighead Photography also does family portraits, headshots, event photography and product shoots.

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