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Photographer Dad Creates Horror Photos Together With His Daughters
There are many joys to being a parent, but none quite as much as being able to use your little kids to recreate gruesome and surreal scenarios that look like the stuff of nightmares. Take a look at these cool photos to see what we mean, but before you start worrying, rest assured that these kids are more than happy to feature in their dad’s creepy children photography!
Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hoffine has spent the past decade turning nightmares into reality. Using cameras, props, and a twisted sense of imagination, the photographer also uses his daughters as models in his macabre and scary photos. His most well-known photo series, called ‘After Dark My Sweet’, focuses on the sorts of nightmares and horror characters we’ve all feared as children, and if you’d like to own your own collection of his creative photography then you can find his book on Kickstarter. Buy it if you dare…
More info: Joshua Hoffine | Kickstarter | Facebook | Twitter (h/t: didyouknow?, Huffpost)
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Joshua Hoffine is a photographer who likes spending time with his daughters
But as you can see, combining his work and his family leads to very interesting results!
He gets his daughters to pose for his nightmarish photoshoots
But even though they look terrified, the kids can’t get enough of it
“They loved it,” said Hoffine. “It was like a giant game of dress-up for them”
“They also knew we were making a scary picture — and loved the idea of scaring the audience as much as I did.”
For the rest of us however, Hoffine’s pictures are downright scary!
His most well-known series is called ‘After Dark My Sweet’
The series is themed around the nightmares we have as children
And as you can see from these pictures, they certainly are nightmarish!
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What do you think ?
Amber Ridgdill 8 years ago
There sure are a lot of perverts in these comments. Seriously, who looks at a little girl in underwear and starts thinking about sexual stuff? A pedo, that's who. You all should go see a therapist or something.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Damn, I didn't even see that we can see someone's underwear. As you said, some people are really perverts. -_-
Load More Replies...
Kellie Flores 8 years ago
I was raised by a horror fan. I'm a horror fan. I raised my kids to be horror fans. As long as the kids are having fun (not forced, not scared), it's all good. I realize a lot of people think these are disturbing photos but I think they are actually a cool way for a horror fan family to spend bonding time together. Awesome, fun photo shoot!
Maria Oviedo 8 years ago
Smart move! Being that his children were around for the entire make up and set dressing process, they know it's all pretend and saw the process from start to finish. These kids will never be afraid of a horror movie cause they know how its all achieved. For anyone saying its too much for the kiddos, seems like you're just projecting your own fears and assumptions.
Caramel000 8 years ago
do not really like this : ( Im a kid and this will probably be stuck in my head for a while now
Shaheris Suhel 8 years ago
I am not a kid. But it will haunt me too. Waaaaaa why did i see this?
Load More Replies...
Amanda Panda 8 years ago
I was scrolling through this at work ... pretty sure my boss thinks I'm a weirdo and will be reporting me to HR lol
Marita Schaubert 8 years ago
"The series is themed around the nightmares we have as children." I am not sure, if lying next to a corpse, that gets eaten by bugs, was one of mine.. but it will be now ????
Rachel Lundell 8 years ago
I usually had nightmares like that. Where I think I wake up, and go try and talk to my mum to feel better, only to have her turn around with bugs in her face, or somehow her head is now a wolf face.
Load More Replies...
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Mh, why did I look at these just before going to sleep? Going to youtube to watch cute kittens and puppys videos. By the way, love the pictures, they are awesome. The best part being your kids enjoying doing it with you.
Heather Herrmann 8 years ago
These are absolutely awesome and creative. I think that a dad using his children for something like this probably also reinforced the fact that "monsters" aren't real. The one with the monster arms coming out from under the bed.... That was soooo me as a child. I was terrified something was going to grab my foot if I stepped off the bed at night. Lol!
Anne Rouffignac 8 years ago
Can you see "DADDY NO" in the blocks on the floor? Haha!
Load More Replies...
Wayne Brake 8 years ago
I think your photos are awesome, and No I don't see nothing wrong with adding your daughters to be included in the photos, they seem to enjoy being in the photos. So I would say keep up the great job and lets see some more photos of what you do and adding your daughters too.
Heather Harris Myers 8 years ago
I absolutely love these!!!! I love horror & it's awesome to be able to combine to two most loved things, family & work! It's great how much they love doing it too !!
PaintingSparrow 8 years ago
The one with the mom and the daughter in the bed I'm surprised the kids not out of her room by then
maryhadalittlelamb 8 years ago
that was really creepy. his kids are very brave.
Load More Replies...
Bunnies are better!! 8 years ago
Did anyone else think of dr. Who when they saw some of these/
Keith Lawless 7 years ago
These are gorgeous! I wish I had a dad that did this when I was a kid. So fun!
Anne Bedlam 8 years ago
(Big Breath) I read almost all the comments about the art, and as a fellow artist and drop dead horror buff myself, I apologize on behalf of, well, all the don't get what you're trying to convey. I get it. And it's brilliant. And to include your children in your work is not only clever, it's a bonding time you will always be able to share and keep in memory form in this book. The images you chose to display were brilliant and chilling. You didn't go right for the typical 'scary' or what everyone expects when you turn a corner, open a door, or *gasp* look under a bed. I have to give you a million kudos because you made me, a very seasoned horror veteran, get the 'heebie-geebies on the: "Hey Mom, I'm coming into your room wondering if you could get me a glass of milk...AND HALF YOUR FACE IS GONE WITH C**K ROACHES COMING OUT OF IT! MOM? MOMMMM? DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO GET IT MYSELF?" That was such a great thrill! I felt like I was at the top of a roller coaster about to go down! Thanks!
Pierre Durand 8 years ago
There's a thing called Art. You should google it an educate youself....
Load More Replies...
Salma Abidi 8 years ago
I don't know if the photographer also used photoshop to create some of the scenes... but I find it quite disturbing to take pictures of my little daughter lying next to a "dead woman" in a bed... MY children would certainly have nightmares after shooting like that. Thats why I guess children shouldn't watch horror movies either. Whats the difference?! They see blood, dead people, monsters... ?!
Raheel Chaudhry 8 years ago
Relax. This guy is a photographer, not a grave digger. He can make things appear in pictures that are not actually there.
Load More Replies...
Wayne Melrose 8 years ago
Wow ! I'm impressed ! This is stunningly intense art. It is also the kind of art that will trigger different memories and emotions in different people for different reasons. That is good art in my opinion.
Casey Swing 8 years ago
Did anyone notice in the last picture that on floor the only two words spelled out are Daddy and no?? That's a little strange to me. Otherwise I think the pictures are cool..
Ann Abdelzaher 8 years ago
My son would think this is awesome! He loves horror and one of his favorite games since he could walk is to play Zombies...
Israel Martinez 8 years ago
Love this ... if I had the talent of photo-editing, I would so do this and my daughters would be so on board as they both have been indoctrinated into horror movies ... it wouldn't scare them one bit because I've taught them the difference between fantasy and reality and the purpose of horror in cinema and literature ... it hasn't made them violent or traumatized, but getting exposed to horror isn't for everybody ...
Kaye Pleacher 8 years ago
I absolutely love this! gives me some ideas for a halloween shoot for my kids!
Bforben Haze 8 years ago
Brilliantly sick and twisted Joshua! Photography is such a beautiful art, and doubly so for set scenes that come to life through sheer imagination and technicality. Also kudos, for being a father that shares his passion with his loved ones.
vroomride 8 years ago
Is doing this healthy for the psychological well-being of the kids? I just wonder.
Shaheris Suhel 8 years ago
At least these kids will be brave because they KNOW what's behind the scenes. Or people like me think crazy things after watching horror movie. I still prefer romance action and comedy.
Load More Replies...
Marius Bancila 7 years ago
The girl opens the fridge and there is a human head and a faceless creature behind the opened door. Seriously f****d up. Even though she knows it's a just a made up scene, at her age (she looks like 6-7 years old) she leaves in a world of wonders and magic. No matter how much "fun" they might had, they could come back as nightmares. Next time she opens the fridge alone in the kitchen she might ask herself, "what if there is a head in there, or a hand" or "if I shut the fridge door, will I see a creature ready to grab me?" No, it's not way off. It's real. Children that age should not be exposed to this macabre shots. Sitting in bed with her dead mother, cockroaches coming out of her mouth. Not cool at all.
Dan Bolivar 8 years ago
ANY image that generates fear, disgust or dread and has been created with that intent, has been inspired by minions of Hell itself.
Kopitiam English 8 years ago
Whatever the father thought...I still say it is unwise to subject little children to such kind of activity-no matter how sincere and innocent it might look....such activity can have a prolong trauma and even can instill fear in the subconscious mind of the innocent children - as word says 'whatever you sow is what you are going to reap'..so, dad I hope you would be wiser in the future....
Laura Gritti 8 years ago
A lot of people just made the point, so I don't want to repeat the same things, let me just say that I don't like this pictures at all. I hope this father will use more empathy with his children (not his inner chid, that like horror etc) in the future and don't use them for something that probably he like more than them (if also they find it funny now, it's probably because they want to play with him, not for the disturbing stuff itself). P.s. I like a good horror movie, but I'm a grown woman.
Geraldine Gallagher 8 years ago
Just so sick. Can,t imagine what this person is all about. Very sick mind. Would not want to be his child
Geraldine Gallagher 8 years ago
Don't like at all. I think this is sick thinking and not fair to the children
Dan Bolivar 8 years ago
Any image that upsets the soul even for an instant has been inspired by the darkest parts of a monstrous mind.
Kathy Stoll 8 years ago
It's wrong from the beginning! I would never expose my children to such things as this!
Khaled Zaatar 8 years ago
I agree with many people on here about the closet monster photo, the wolf photo and the gas mask one; Making the kid wear only underwear is disturbing, though one has to look at what is trying to be portrayed in the picture, it can also be done with clothes. When someone (Mostly adults) have a nightmare where they are naked, it is about being vulnerable in a situation, and kids are very vulnerable. Still, I stand with the suggestion of clothes next time.
brandon sat 8 years ago
why is his little girl not dressed in some of these pictures?? she could have had some pj's on or something.
Milda Severinaite 8 years ago
This man needs to find another outlet for his creativity that does not involve his kids. I will not deny that he is talented, however, involving kids in the making of such pictures can be traumatic. And if anybody heard of the law of attraction, such pictures can be an invite for a disaster. I hope I am wrong. All the best.
Maria Feramie Sanchez 8 years ago
I love it ! but it can be traumatic to children .. great job !
Matt Noel 8 years ago
Lol, pull the stick out of your butt and calm the Hell down, kids can deal with a lot more than you give them credit for.
Load More Replies...
Amber Ridgdill 8 years ago
There sure are a lot of perverts in these comments. Seriously, who looks at a little girl in underwear and starts thinking about sexual stuff? A pedo, that's who. You all should go see a therapist or something.
Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Damn, I didn't even see that we can see someone's underwear. As you said, some people are really perverts. -_-
Load More Replies... Kellie Flores 8 years ago
I was raised by a horror fan. I'm a horror fan. I raised my kids to be horror fans. As long as the kids are having fun (not forced, not scared), it's all good. I realize a lot of people think these are disturbing photos but I think they are actually a cool way for a horror fan family to spend bonding time together. Awesome, fun photo shoot!
Maria Oviedo 8 years ago
Smart move! Being that his children were around for the entire make up and set dressing process, they know it's all pretend and saw the process from start to finish. These kids will never be afraid of a horror movie cause they know how its all achieved. For anyone saying its too much for the kiddos, seems like you're just projecting your own fears and assumptions.
Caramel000 8 years ago
do not really like this : ( Im a kid and this will probably be stuck in my head for a while now
Shaheris Suhel 8 years ago
I am not a kid. But it will haunt me too. Waaaaaa why did i see this?
Load More Replies... Amanda Panda 8 years ago
I was scrolling through this at work ... pretty sure my boss thinks I'm a weirdo and will be reporting me to HR lol
Marita Schaubert 8 years ago
"The series is themed around the nightmares we have as children." I am not sure, if lying next to a corpse, that gets eaten by bugs, was one of mine.. but it will be now ????
Rachel Lundell 8 years ago
I usually had nightmares like that. Where I think I wake up, and go try and talk to my mum to feel better, only to have her turn around with bugs in her face, or somehow her head is now a wolf face.
Load More Replies... Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Mh, why did I look at these just before going to sleep? Going to youtube to watch cute kittens and puppys videos. By the way, love the pictures, they are awesome. The best part being your kids enjoying doing it with you.
Heather Herrmann 8 years ago
These are absolutely awesome and creative. I think that a dad using his children for something like this probably also reinforced the fact that "monsters" aren't real. The one with the monster arms coming out from under the bed.... That was soooo me as a child. I was terrified something was going to grab my foot if I stepped off the bed at night. Lol!
Anne Rouffignac 8 years ago
Can you see "DADDY NO" in the blocks on the floor? Haha!
Load More Replies... Wayne Brake 8 years ago
I think your photos are awesome, and No I don't see nothing wrong with adding your daughters to be included in the photos, they seem to enjoy being in the photos. So I would say keep up the great job and lets see some more photos of what you do and adding your daughters too.
Heather Harris Myers 8 years ago
I absolutely love these!!!! I love horror & it's awesome to be able to combine to two most loved things, family & work! It's great how much they love doing it too !!
PaintingSparrow 8 years ago
The one with the mom and the daughter in the bed I'm surprised the kids not out of her room by then
maryhadalittlelamb 8 years ago
that was really creepy. his kids are very brave.
Load More Replies... Bunnies are better!! 8 years ago
Did anyone else think of dr. Who when they saw some of these/
Keith Lawless 7 years ago
These are gorgeous! I wish I had a dad that did this when I was a kid. So fun!
Anne Bedlam 8 years ago
(Big Breath) I read almost all the comments about the art, and as a fellow artist and drop dead horror buff myself, I apologize on behalf of, well, all the don't get what you're trying to convey. I get it. And it's brilliant. And to include your children in your work is not only clever, it's a bonding time you will always be able to share and keep in memory form in this book. The images you chose to display were brilliant and chilling. You didn't go right for the typical 'scary' or what everyone expects when you turn a corner, open a door, or *gasp* look under a bed. I have to give you a million kudos because you made me, a very seasoned horror veteran, get the 'heebie-geebies on the: "Hey Mom, I'm coming into your room wondering if you could get me a glass of milk...AND HALF YOUR FACE IS GONE WITH C**K ROACHES COMING OUT OF IT! MOM? MOMMMM? DOES THIS MEAN I HAVE TO GET IT MYSELF?" That was such a great thrill! I felt like I was at the top of a roller coaster about to go down! Thanks!
Pierre Durand 8 years ago
There's a thing called Art. You should google it an educate youself....
Load More Replies... Salma Abidi 8 years ago
I don't know if the photographer also used photoshop to create some of the scenes... but I find it quite disturbing to take pictures of my little daughter lying next to a "dead woman" in a bed... MY children would certainly have nightmares after shooting like that. Thats why I guess children shouldn't watch horror movies either. Whats the difference?! They see blood, dead people, monsters... ?!
Raheel Chaudhry 8 years ago
Relax. This guy is a photographer, not a grave digger. He can make things appear in pictures that are not actually there.
Load More Replies... Wayne Melrose 8 years ago
Wow ! I'm impressed ! This is stunningly intense art. It is also the kind of art that will trigger different memories and emotions in different people for different reasons. That is good art in my opinion.
Casey Swing 8 years ago
Did anyone notice in the last picture that on floor the only two words spelled out are Daddy and no?? That's a little strange to me. Otherwise I think the pictures are cool..
Ann Abdelzaher 8 years ago
My son would think this is awesome! He loves horror and one of his favorite games since he could walk is to play Zombies...
Israel Martinez 8 years ago
Love this ... if I had the talent of photo-editing, I would so do this and my daughters would be so on board as they both have been indoctrinated into horror movies ... it wouldn't scare them one bit because I've taught them the difference between fantasy and reality and the purpose of horror in cinema and literature ... it hasn't made them violent or traumatized, but getting exposed to horror isn't for everybody ...
Kaye Pleacher 8 years ago
I absolutely love this! gives me some ideas for a halloween shoot for my kids!
Bforben Haze 8 years ago
Brilliantly sick and twisted Joshua! Photography is such a beautiful art, and doubly so for set scenes that come to life through sheer imagination and technicality. Also kudos, for being a father that shares his passion with his loved ones.
vroomride 8 years ago
Is doing this healthy for the psychological well-being of the kids? I just wonder.
Shaheris Suhel 8 years ago
At least these kids will be brave because they KNOW what's behind the scenes. Or people like me think crazy things after watching horror movie. I still prefer romance action and comedy.
Load More Replies... Marius Bancila 7 years ago
The girl opens the fridge and there is a human head and a faceless creature behind the opened door. Seriously f****d up. Even though she knows it's a just a made up scene, at her age (she looks like 6-7 years old) she leaves in a world of wonders and magic. No matter how much "fun" they might had, they could come back as nightmares. Next time she opens the fridge alone in the kitchen she might ask herself, "what if there is a head in there, or a hand" or "if I shut the fridge door, will I see a creature ready to grab me?" No, it's not way off. It's real. Children that age should not be exposed to this macabre shots. Sitting in bed with her dead mother, cockroaches coming out of her mouth. Not cool at all.
Dan Bolivar 8 years ago
ANY image that generates fear, disgust or dread and has been created with that intent, has been inspired by minions of Hell itself.
Kopitiam English 8 years ago
Whatever the father thought...I still say it is unwise to subject little children to such kind of activity-no matter how sincere and innocent it might look....such activity can have a prolong trauma and even can instill fear in the subconscious mind of the innocent children - as word says 'whatever you sow is what you are going to reap'..so, dad I hope you would be wiser in the future....
Laura Gritti 8 years ago
A lot of people just made the point, so I don't want to repeat the same things, let me just say that I don't like this pictures at all. I hope this father will use more empathy with his children (not his inner chid, that like horror etc) in the future and don't use them for something that probably he like more than them (if also they find it funny now, it's probably because they want to play with him, not for the disturbing stuff itself). P.s. I like a good horror movie, but I'm a grown woman.
Geraldine Gallagher 8 years ago
Just so sick. Can,t imagine what this person is all about. Very sick mind. Would not want to be his child
Geraldine Gallagher 8 years ago
Don't like at all. I think this is sick thinking and not fair to the children
Dan Bolivar 8 years ago
Any image that upsets the soul even for an instant has been inspired by the darkest parts of a monstrous mind.
Kathy Stoll 8 years ago
It's wrong from the beginning! I would never expose my children to such things as this!
Khaled Zaatar 8 years ago
I agree with many people on here about the closet monster photo, the wolf photo and the gas mask one; Making the kid wear only underwear is disturbing, though one has to look at what is trying to be portrayed in the picture, it can also be done with clothes. When someone (Mostly adults) have a nightmare where they are naked, it is about being vulnerable in a situation, and kids are very vulnerable. Still, I stand with the suggestion of clothes next time.
brandon sat 8 years ago
why is his little girl not dressed in some of these pictures?? she could have had some pj's on or something.
Milda Severinaite 8 years ago
This man needs to find another outlet for his creativity that does not involve his kids. I will not deny that he is talented, however, involving kids in the making of such pictures can be traumatic. And if anybody heard of the law of attraction, such pictures can be an invite for a disaster. I hope I am wrong. All the best.
Maria Feramie Sanchez 8 years ago
I love it ! but it can be traumatic to children .. great job !
Matt Noel 8 years ago
Lol, pull the stick out of your butt and calm the Hell down, kids can deal with a lot more than you give them credit for.
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