Bonjour,
In September this year, I had the chance to take a dream trip with my mum. She’d always wanted to do a food cruise through the south of France, and one day she simply said, “Come with me.” So off we went. Just the two of us, wandering through vineyards, truffle farms, and quiet medieval villages with patisseries tucked into every corner.
In between all the eating (and there was a lot of eating, I am a sucker for a good steak tartare), I squeezed in as many historical stops as possible. We explored Versailles, gothic cathedrals, monasteries with sunlit courtyards, mountaintop villages. Every location held its own story, and with centuries of history surrounding us, each day felt like we were wandering into a different moment in time.
Growing up in Australia, where we don’t have castles or palaces (The oldest buildings being only 200 years old, which is barely anything compared to somewhere like Avignon) and reading so many fairytale stories growing up, I had romanticised the European world so much that being in these locations felt like stepping into a real life fantasy.
Whenever a corner caught my eye (a gargoyle in an archway, a spiral staircase, the gilded chandeliers or the opera house) I photographed it with artists in mind. These packs blend together the moments that inspired me most, the sweeping architecture, the crumbling ancient textures, and the smaller details that you only notice when you slow down and really look. These backgrounds are perfect for fantasy artworks, portraits, book covers, concept art, or anyone wanting to add a touch of authentic European atmosphere to their projects.
But the trip wasn’t all history and architecture, I also let my inner child loose at Disneyland Paris, a place I’ve dreamed of visiting but always felt impossibly far away in Australia. Walking through the castle, watching the parades and character performers was pure childlike magic. And then in complete contrast, we spent the evening at the Moulin Rouge. It was like stepping into a whirlwind of sexy glamour with extravagant glittery costumes, beautiful showgirls and dramatic stage lighting. As a boudoir photographer I was definitely inspired.
This trip felt like stepping into a storybook with my mum and building these packs became a way of holding onto that feeling. Full. Happy. Inspired. A little overwhelmed by the beauty of it all.
I hope you enjoy using these backgrounds as much as I loved exploring and photographing them.
For more behind-the-scenes glimpses and little life moments, you can always follow along on Instagram @faestock
Au revoir!
Jessica