Buzz
Alexandra Hager, a talented contemporary photographer from Austria, has gained widespread recognition for her remarkable work. Born in 1971, her portraits of children are known for their eerie and unconventional symbolism. Often, these doll-like figures are set against surreal or hyper-realistic backdrops. The unsettling yet magical nature of her images has led many to describe them as 'haunting' or 'fairy-tale-esque'. As shown below, these descriptions ring true. If you are drawn to her captivating art, you can purchase prints of Alexandra Hager's work here. We are thankful to Ms. Hager for granting Mytour permission to showcase these incredible images.
15. The Vanished Girl
Here, a young girl dons a party dress—likely following a picnic by the lake—but the expression on her face seems at odds with the cheerfulness of her attire.
14. The Reluctant Son
This image strikingly portrays teenage rebellion, with the stylish young man positioned against a vintage backdrop, gazing off into the distance.
13. The Search
This is one of my all-time favorite images by Alexandra Hager, as it beautifully merges two themes I adore – decay and hot air balloons (which, I must say, are rarely paired together).
12. Detached
This young man carries an air of arrogance, reflected in both his attire and hairstyle. The clock in the background hints that he might be anticipating something significant.
11. Inquisitive Girl
This striking photograph perfectly captures the young girl torn between two emotions – the intrigue of curiosity and the apprehension of what she might discover. It’s set against a well-known fine-art backdrop.
10. Indifference
The straps on the girl’s bodice convey a sense of restriction, while her bored expression amplifies that impression of constraint.
9. Almost a Clown
This image strongly reminds me of the Clown series by the brilliant photographer Cindy Sherman. You can explore an example of Sherman’s clown photos here – a warning to coulrophobes, don’t follow that link.
8. A Hidden Secret
This boy is hiding a secret – or perhaps he’s evading his parents. Maybe his father is harming his mother. The modern house in the background takes on an eerie, surreal quality, brought to life by the photograph's subdued tones. One can almost see the tears beginning to form in his eyes.
7. Three in a Boat
This image, along with the following four, explores a recurring theme in Hager’s series – children, boats, and birds. The children in this first photo appear strangely detached from their harsh surroundings, their calmness adding a distinct and unsettling atmosphere to the scene.
6. Raging Waters
The birds that dominate this scene seem to bring with them an air of looming dread – they resemble vultures, waiting patiently for their next meal.
5. Lifeboat
In this intriguing image, the girl appears to be falling, yet her face holds no trace of the terror one would expect from such a calamity. Perhaps she is intentionally surrendering to the prospect of drowning.
4. The Birds
The girl’s outfit makes it hard to pinpoint the time period in which the scene is set, which is especially perplexing given the gothic tone of the backdrop. It's worth noting that the girl steering the boat appears in the four preceding images, each time displaying vastly different emotional states.
3. Desolation
The decaying and lifeless buildings behind the girl, dressed in muted tones, contribute to a sense of desolation that mirrors the hopelessness in her expression.
2. The Chorus Boys
Twins rehearsing for their choir performance in a distinctly Victorian setting. Hager’s choice of subdued colors gives the impression that the boys might have more interesting things on their minds.
1. Catch of the Day
It is unclear whether the boy in the boat is pulling in a catch or setting creatures free, possibly back into their natural habitat, or even to their fate beneath the waves.
