Shih Tzu by Alex Khokhlov

This portrait of a Shih Tzu was created during one of Alex’s studio masterclasses.

Inspired by the breed’s history as a companion of the Chinese imperial court, Alex built the shoot around this heritage. Two artist friends created a traditional Chinese palace entirely from cardboard, which Alex photographed the dog within.

Although he loved the set, he always felt the image was incomplete and left it unpublished. Recently, Alex returned to the image, using generative tools to extend the original set while retaining the real cardboard palace and the dog, creating an entire miniature kingdom around them.