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One of my favourite sets of photos from the story was the ones of Maya's camp. It was photographed in the Overflow Campground in Jasper National Park in Alberta. The campground was wide open and almost empty... We covered the picnic table with our tarp, and I proceeded to set up the scene... The lighting was perfect that evening, with filtered sunshine on the mountains in the background. I had spread gravel on the tarp to make a more realistic setting and tie the foreground into the background. But a picnic table isn't all that big, so the edges of the tarp would show in some of the photos. So I took some photos of the gravel on the ground so I could use it to hide the tarp in the foreground in the photos later in Photoshop.... I also superimposed some real flames over the fake fire for the final photos....
The photos of Maya travelling along the beach were taken at Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia. The Park Visitor Centre can be seen in the distance on the left. The tide was out, and the beach was pretty much deserted that morning. I posed the doll and horses on the sand, and had to get down on the ground.... ...because all forced perspective shots require the subject be photographed straight on at their eye level.... Once down on the ground, I direct Jan to make any adjustments... ..although I do have to get up when there's a major change required.
When standing on his own, Maya was supported by a wire stand that was poked into the sand, and I have to make sure it's hidden behind one of his legs and doesn't show in the photo. Like the rest of the Quest Saga, which I originally started taking the photos for way back in 2012, Maya's story was photographed in many places over the years as well. Thankfully dolls don't 'age', so it's possible to put together a story with photos taken over a thirteen year period.
She took his hand as they started along a path through the forest ... Maya couldn't take his eyes off of her...like she was just a dream ... and he didn't want to wake up. But she was real....and so beautiful... And after all the years of writing letters to each other, they would finally be together... The eagle watched them from high in the trees.... as they walked hand in hand back towards her village... That evening, as the sun sank below the horizon, Maya and Byuri pledged their love for each other. They were finally together...for now...and always. the End*To revisit the entire story - Maya's Search for Byuri
Byuri got up and ran to him... "I can't believe you are actually here." "I can hardly believe it myself. If it wasn't for the eagle, I'd never have found you." "But I am here, and this time I'm staying."
Maya stood frozen at the edge of the forest.... He could hardly believe it. Was that his beloved Byuri? Was this young woman the same girl that he had befriended so long ago? She heard the snapping of twigs in the woods behind her, and turned to look... She saw him, and recognized him immediately. "Maya! ... You've come back!" "Yes, I'm back.."
This forest was even more overgrown, with a lot denser undergrowth... Still he followed the eagle.... The undergrowth finally opened up as the ground became more rocky. He could hear the sound of rapids ahead... He continued on, following the eagle towards the sound... He reached the river.... ...and then he saw her....
After following the eagle through the rainforest, Maya finally emerged on a wide open stretch of sandy beach... He had reached the ocean.... It was so nice to be out of the forest and in the open again.... Travelling would be so much easier now. But after travelling several hours along the beach, Maya watched the eagle fly towards the forest. His heart sank. "Well, here we go again." As they approached the trees, Maya got down off his horse... He hoped this forest wouldn't be as challenging as the last one. "Come on boy..."
After leading Maya across the mountains, the eagle led him into the rainforest... The forest floor was thick with moss and huge fallen trees..... Even with the eagle leading the way, Maya would sometimes have to get down off his horse to check ahead to see if it was safe for his horses... Then he'd get back on his horse.... and go on again... The eagle stayed close, and patiently led Maya through the undergrowth...
Maya set up camp for the night. He was feeling rather discouraged, and didn't know if he'd be able to find the way back to Byuri by himself... It had been so much easier the first time, since he was just going along with all the others making the decisions. Then just as he was starting to lose hope, there was a loud rustling of wings, as an eagle arrived.... Was it the same eagle who had led him and his friends to the lost little native girl all those years ago, and then to her mother? Yes, he was! Maya was overjoyed to see him, and wondered if Byuri had sent him to help him find his way back to her. "'Am I ever glad to see you!" and he offered the eagle some of his dinner....
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AuthorMartha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll artist and costumer, who enjoys photographing, and coming up with stories, featuring her vast collection of ball-jointed and artist dolls. Archives
August 2026
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