# Surreal Smoking Portraits Meditations by Laurence Demaison is Hauntingly Serene By Meghan Young | Published 2014-05-08 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meditations-by-laurence-demaison References: [fubiz.net](http://www.fubiz.net/en/2014/05/07/portraits-with-smoke/) & [laurencedemaison](http://www.laurencedemaison.com/meditations-2013-2/) Meditations by Laurence Demaison, a photographer born in France, is a series of [surreal portraits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/glass-portraits) that appear to capture a race of smoking people. Or perhaps there are no people at all and just smoke. Yet some facial features as well as hairstyles can be discerned through the clouds that rise from the collar of each subject's shirt. Shot entirely in black and white, Meditations by Laurence Demaison is not only [dream-like](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/herms-hermessence), it is also slightly haunting. Although some people might feel as though the smoke is supposed to represent some kind of internal combustion, the obscurity of such a substance is not so much fiery as it is serene. Hence the title of the [photo series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1). There is a calming effect to the smoke. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/stylephotography) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Surreal Portraiture:** Opportunity for photographers to create unique and unconventional portraits in a dream-like style. - **Smoke Art:** Opportunity for artists to explore the visual and symbolic potential of smoke as a form of artistic expression. - **Abstract Realism:** Opportunity for artists to combine the abstract qualities of smoke with realistic portraiture to create stunning and evocative images. ### Where This Applies - **Fine Art Photography:** Opportunity for fine art photographers to showcase their unique and creative visions through unconventional and surreal portraiture. - **Contemporary Art:** Opportunity for contemporary artists to experiment with the potential of smoke as a medium and explore new forms of artistic expression. - **Visual Media:** Opportunity for visual media companies to integrate smoke art into advertising campaigns or use it to create visually captivating content for social media. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AI-Generated Poetic Photo Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emilio-alarcn.md) - [Spiritual Meditation Chair Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/12-chairs-for-meditation.md) - [Sculptural Incense Burners](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nuvolino.md) - [Smoky Illumination Floor Lamps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunset-lamp.md) - [Architecturally Inspired Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sfumato-candle.md) - [Smoky Tea Fragrances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoky-soul.md) - [Wavy Smoke Wear Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stylish-smoke-wear.md) - [Collaborative Sculptural Art Sets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/neojomon-biomorphic-fantme.md) - [Exquisite Time Lapse Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xl-porcelain-candles.md)