What she does: Brittany Bentine is the founder of Locked Illusions Photography, based out of Clear Lake. While other photographers in the children and family realm may use clichéd poses and settings, Bentine uses an alternative, otherworldly approach that incorporates goth, punk, rocker and rockabilly imagery. The children in her photos are often dressed as if they stepped away from the set of a Tim Burton movie or were just onstage with The Misfits.

"My photography is mysterious, unique," Bentine says. "It's pretty alternative in the child's realm."

Why she likes it: "Four to five years ago I modeled. Suddenly, I felt limited in the art," Bentine says. The creative block ended after she stepped behind the camera. Bentine started by taking photos of her own kids, then progressed to shooting models and finally other families. She started Locked Illusions with her husband, Benjamin Bentine, two and a half years ago.

What inspires her? Influenced more by the arts than other photographers, her photos took on a surreal vibe. "I am influenced by art, paintings, fashion, music, even dreams I've had," Bentine says. "It's all over the place."

And Bentine is a class of her own. While there are a lot of photographers who specialize in child and family portraits, there are few, if any others, who cater to families with so-called "alternative" tastes.This style of photography comes naturally to Bentine, who has been self-described "alternative" since she was 12.

If not this, then what? Without a hesitation in her response, Bentine answers that she could see herself in anything artistic.

"But probably painting and sculpting," she says.

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