By Hannah Schenker
While you might prefer to avoid Disney altogether, for many children Disney movies and characters are a big part of their childhood. This mama and photographer, Camillia Courts, chose to run with the princess stories and dress her daughter up (and herself) to create elaborate Disney scenes.
According to The Huffington Post, Camillia and Layla began their foray into serious dress-ups after a family visit to Disneyland’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique back in December 2014. Courts wanted to get a photo of her daughter wearing a new costume purchased there, and it was so popular among their family and friends, that they decided to do it again. A new hobby was formed and they now have more than 42,000 followers on their Instagram page!
Camillia started out buying the costumes but eventually teamed up with a local seamstress to custom-make each one, and a talented make-up artist to complete the effects. Layla has dressed up characters from Snow White, Cinderella, The Little Mermaid, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and more. Camillia sometimes joins in on the action, but prefers to dress up as a villain, saying “I think being the villain is way more fun than wearing the crown”.
Camillia says the project has not only been a unique experience for the two of them, but had another positive effect on daughter Layla. “She’s a very shy child and I see her light up when she gets into costume,” Courts said. “She’s gained a lot of confidence since we started the project and has really come out of her shell.”
Here are a few of their creations!
