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Sometimes we all need a break from reality, and to be sure, that break can be found in the whimsical departure which results from immersing yourselfÌýin a story. Tim Walker’s etherealÌýStory Teller, where the acclaimed British photographer shares his visions of eccentrically modern fairy tales, is the perfect antidote to everyday life. While it’s been out for a few years, like any good tale this book is worth coming back to again and again.Ìý

I love this collection of fashion photography because although there are no words or verbal cues to convey what exactly is supposed to be understood and felt through looking through its pages, Walker’s artistic mastery ensures that onlookers can effortlessly see the story behind it all. It’s really wonderful when a creator can convey universal messages in this way, and his work here definitely speaks to the value of subtle expertise.

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There’s a dreaminess to every shot inÌýStory Teller, and from the UFOs to the unicorns that find themselves situated in the midst of otherwise normal—if not strikingly beautiful—environments, there’s no shortage of things to be intrigued by. Walker’s use of both models and designers in these scenes brings the notion of the maker and the muse under the same roof in a way that reinforces how interdependent the two really are, and I appreciate that he did this because I think it’s something important to remember.ÌýA consummate example of a work that is paradoxically able to make a grounded impression as it lifts away from reality,ÌýStory TellerÌýis a stunningly beautiful escape that reminds us not to take life too seriously.Ìý

This article was originally posted in FebruaryÌý2016 and was updated in AugustÌý2017.Ìý