Berlin-based photographer Jan von Holleben doesn’t go in for all that cutesy child photography stuff. The typical babies-as-flowers style, he tells Wired , “cater[s] to a certain kind of people who romanticize childhood and who want to have it in a safe bubble.” Instead, Von Holleben’s work captures kids in magical, adventurous scenes, all created without Photoshop — instead, his subjects help him create the set, and then lie on the ground in their poses while Von Holleben shoots them from above. After the jump, check out Action Heroes, one of our favorite series from Von Holleben’s work in this style, and then head on over to the photographer’s website to see much more.
The Wizards. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Karate Kids. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Rockstars. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Indiana Jane. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Lovers. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Aliens. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Pirates. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben
The Star Warriors. Photo Credit: Jan von Holleben