Social media certainly has forever changed the way we take in the arts. Platforms are constantly evolving; we can drown ourselves in content with the tap of a finger. The reward for hours of work a creator may have put into a photo or video revolves around a snap-second judgment from an audience who may not experience the creator’s process. For artists who want recognization among thousands of other creatives, some aim to follow trends that are constantly evolving and reshaping our idea of what art should be.
When algorithms come into play, these popular ideas are quickly tired out by thousands of recreations. One great example of this is the Tik Tok ghost trend in the haunted city of Savannah, GA.
Those seeking paranormal encounters, lighthearted fun, and maybe even a good scare have no better place to visit than Savannah, Georgia, in the change of season. In the true spirit of Halloween, the city certainly doesn’t disappoint. Countless ghost-themed tours bustle about the town at all hours of the day, whether they be walking around the squares by lamplight, perusing a historic home, or riding a hearse adapted for roaming the evening streets. The sight of a ghost parading around this historic city truly serves as another typical October day.
With the hundreds of ghosts that are resident to every nook and cranny of Savannah, tackling TikTok’s ghost trend seemed almost necessary. TikTok is a social media platform where creators share quick videos about anything and everything, ranging from sports and gaming to standup and photography. Content on TikTok changes often based on trends in music, humor, and art. About halfway through the summer, the ghost trend became very popular. This fad initially started by throwing an old bed sheet over a friend (or even pet) to create a simple ghost costume and accessorizing with glasses, hats, tall socks, or other quirky items to create a montage of funny photos while the song “Oh Klahoma” by Jack Stauber plays.
The trend became popular quickly; when you thought you’d seen it all, you’d find a new rendition to pique your interest. There would be a new pose, location, style of editing, or story behind the photos that would set the bar higher for the next re-creation. When I thought to apply this trend to the City of Savannah, I knew to steer from the city’s paranormal scene’s cliches.
I developed my narrative with timeless intention. I thought about being transported to a time of history unfamiliar to this generation. Having watched the city change with my own eyes over decades, I decided that it would be interesting to take my photos during the day, capturing my models as souls left to wander the city, somehow looking so disconnected from the environment, yet comfortable at the same time.
I wanted to revise the idea of throwing over a bedsheet and calling it a day. With my stylist’s help, we coordinated different clothing reminiscent of styles from the 50s, 70s, and 80s while retaining the sheet’s monochromatic white quality.
Monochromatic clothing created the perfect contrast between the models and the bustling city around them. My team ended up incorporating the white sheet in some of our shots, paying homage to the little idea that started it all.
In a world where originality can be challenging to seek out, one strong concept can go a long way: passed from the hands of one creator to another until something extraordinary happens.
Direction and Writing by Alexis Divis
Photography and Editing by Michael Egami
Styling and Sourcing Outfits by Kayla Kamm
Talent is AJ Lewis and Helena Pallay