Sometimes the best opportunities show up completely out of the blue.
A few weeks before the event, I got a message from Morgan, one of my vendor neighbors from the Deer Park Farmers Market. She told me she was helping organize a fantasy market called Outer Realms Market and asked if I'd be interested in bringing my photography to their annual Goblin Market at Rhinegeist Brewery.
Her idea was simple. Instead of a traditional vendor booth, why not create a fantasy-inspired portrait station where guests in costume could have professional photos taken while also documenting the event itself?
My response was immediate. "Am I cool with that?! Heck yes!"
Before I knew it, I was designing a moody floral and velvet backdrop, brainstorming costume ideas, and fully committing to becoming a Goblin for the day.
For this one Sunday, Rhinegeist Brewery transformed into a portal to another world. Hundreds of guests arrived dressed as goblins, fae, orcs, elves, adventurers, and creatures you couldn't begin to categorize. The market wasn't just a collection of incredible fantasy artists and makers. It was a fully immersive experience. Guests got to choose between two rival goblin guilds, complete a scavenger hunt to solve the mystery of the missing ducks, interact with wandering goblins and orcs, compete in costume contests, and help raise money for the Freestore Foodbank along the way.
As someone who already loves creating immersive experiences through photography, I knew this was going to be my kind of event. And honestly... It somehow exceeded every expectation I had.
Building a Tiny Corner of the Goblin Market
One of the things I was most excited about was creating a little world inside an already magical event. Since I was offering on-the-spot mini sessions throughout the day, I wanted my booth to feel like it belonged in the Goblin Market, not like a photography setup that had accidentally wandered in.
I started with two semi-circle arches layered in moody florals and cascading greenery, then draped them in rich emerald and black velvet to create a backdrop that felt equal parts enchanted forest and forgotten tavern. Outer Realms completely elevated the space by providing fantasy props like fairy crowns, elf ears, goblin masks, toy daggers, and wings, along with a beautiful vintage rug and lanterns that tied everything together. Rhinegeist even rolled over one of their large wooden beer barrels, which ended up fitting the scene perfectly. By the time everything was assembled, it felt less like a booth and more like a little portrait studio tucked inside another realm.
I also wanted the space to feel approachable. Large framed prints showcased my work, business cards were easy to grab, and a sign explained that professional mini sessions were available for $40, including a 10-minute session and a gallery delivered within 1 to 3 days. Right beside it, another sign let guests know they were more than welcome to snap their own phone photos in front of the backdrop for free. Since I was also walking the market photographing vendors and documenting the event itself, I never wanted anyone to feel like the setup was off-limits if I happened to be away from the booth for a few minutes.
One of my favorite parts of the day was watching people wander over just to see what was going on. Some stopped for a quick phone photo before heading back into the market. Others started asking questions, flipped through my portfolio, and ended up booking a professional session on the spot. It reminded me why I love bringing photography into community events. A camera naturally creates conversations, and sometimes all it takes is one curious glance for someone to walk away with a memory they'll keep forever.
More Than a Market. An Entire World.
The Goblin Market wasn't simply a place to shop. It felt like stepping through a portal into another world. Every corner of Rhinegeist was filled with something happening.
Guests wandered between more than thirty local artists and makers selling everything from hand-forged fantasy weapons, leather goods, jewelry, dice, potions, taxidermy, artwork, candles, herbal creations, and handcrafted treasures that looked like they'd been collected over decades of adventuring. Everywhere you looked, another vendor had built a tiny piece of their own fantasy world.
Beyond the shopping, the entire day was packed with interactive experiences. Visitors could compete in a Goblin Costume Contest, learn the basics of Dungeons & Dragons or discover new board games through live demos, create custom potions with Hedgestone Farm, or set off on a market-wide scavenger hunt to solve the mystery of the Goblin Council's missing duck donations. The storyline unfolded throughout the day as guests searched for clues, collected stamps, and helped their chosen goblin guild piece together what had happened.
One of my favorite parts of the event, though, was how seamlessly the fantasy tied into something genuinely meaningful. The rival Artificer and Wildling guilds weren't just competing for bragging rights. They were rallying support for the Freestore Foodbank through the "Buy a Duck, Feed a Child" fundraiser, encouraging guests to donate rubber ducks to their guild's growing horde. It was such a creative way to blend immersive storytelling with giving back to the community, proving that even a room full of goblins can make a real difference.
Vendors Worth Wandering For
One of my favorite parts of photographing the Goblin Market wasn't just the costumes or the immersive atmosphere. It was meeting the artists behind every booth. Every vendor had built something uniquely their own, whether that was through sculpture, scent, leatherwork, or handmade fantasy wares. It felt less like shopping and more like exploring dozens of tiny worlds, each crafted by someone deeply passionate about what they create.
Favorite Vendors From the market
Herbal Heritage Farms
I couldn't write about the Goblin Market without talking about Herbal Heritage Farms, especially because this whole adventure started with Morgan.
Morgan, one of the organizers behind Outer Realms Market, was actually the person who reached out after meeting me at the Deer Park Farmers Market. One message later, I somehow found myself dressed as an Artificer goblin photographing one of the coolest events I've ever attended. So naturally, I had to stop by her booth.
Herbal Heritage Farms is rooted in sustainability and intentional growing. Based in Loveland, Ohio, the farm produces beautiful pesticide-free flowers, seasonal produce, fresh herbs, handcrafted herbal products, tinctures, simple syrup mixes, and cozy pantry staples, all grown with regenerative farming practices that put the land first.
One product that immediately caught my attention was their Cozy Herbal Broth. Somehow, through nothing but herbs, it recreates that warm, comforting aroma of homemade chicken noodle soup without using any animal products at all. It was one of those products that makes you stop and ask, "Wait... how did you do that?"
What I appreciated most, though, was how thoughtfully everything was presented. Every bouquet, herb blend, tincture, and handcrafted product reflected the same care and intentionality that Morgan poured into the Goblin Market itself. After spending the day photographing an event built around creativity and community, it felt incredibly fitting that one of the people behind it was also cultivating those same values on her own farm.
Favorite Vendors From the market
HedgeStone Farm
If you've ever wished your local farm stand looked like it belonged in a fantasy novel, HedgeStone Farm is exactly that.
Everything at their booth felt like a little piece of everyday magic. Alongside Ohio-grown produce, heirloom vegetables, homemade jams, jellies, fresh baked goods, and handcrafted pantry staples, they also create natural inks, handmade quills, novelty potion bottles, and tiny apothecary treasures that make you feel like you've wandered into an alchemist's workshop.
My favorite had to be the tiny bottle labeled "Unicorn Tears." Filled with shimmering iridescent stones, it was simple, whimsical, and impossible not to pick up. It perfectly captured what HedgeStone is all about. Finding magic in the little things.
Their philosophy really resonated with me. Creating products that make everyday moments feel just a little more enchanted. Whether that's gathering around the table with homemade jam, writing with a handcrafted quill, or adding a tiny potion bottle to your bookshelf, every item felt like an invitation to slow down and appreciate life's quieter moments.
Favorite Vendors From the market
Hermit's Hearth Apothecary
If you love walking into a little apothecary that immediately makes you want to smell absolutely everything... Hermit's Hearth Apothecary is your place.
Chet creates an incredible collection of small-batch candles, wax melts, incense, room mists, diffusers, body soaps, beard oils, and even handmade crochet pieces. Every scent feels intentional, inspired by nature, folklore, and the quieter corners of the world.
My personal favorite? Mushrooms & Moss.
The description alone sold me:
An earthy, woodsy blend that opens with a soft citrus brightness before sinking into damp mushroom, rich soil, and velvety moss. Sandalwood and cedar anchor it with a dry forest-wood finish.
It genuinely smells like wandering through an old-growth forest after a summer rain. Cool, earthy, grounding, and just a little mysterious.
What I loved most about talking with Chet was realizing Hermit's Hearth isn't simply a candle company. It's an extension of a lifelong practice rooted in craftsmanship, curiosity, and a deep connection to both nature and the unseen. Every product feels thoughtfully made, inviting you to slow down, breathe, and bring a little bit of that magic home.
Favorite Vendors From the market
Bezu Art Studio
Walking up to Zaryana's booth felt like stumbling across a forgotten forest shrine.
Bezu Art Studio is filled with beautifully sculpted creatures, spirits, fae, and mythical beings that somehow feel both ancient and alive. Alongside intricate fiber art, her sculptures carry an incredible amount of personality. Every piece tells its own story, inviting you to imagine the world it came from.
Her work blends mythology, folklore, memory, and natural textures into sculptures that feel like they've been discovered rather than created. It's no surprise that her pieces have found homes in private collections around the world.
As someone who gravitates toward storytelling through imagery, I found myself lingering at her booth longer than I probably should have. Every time I looked, I noticed another tiny detail hidden within the work. It's the kind of art that rewards curiosity, and I think that's what makes it so captivating.
Favorite Vendors From the market
Madlee Living Art
Madlee Living Art was one of those booths that quietly pulls you in.
Specializing in alternative art, ethically sourced taxidermy, entomology, and one-of-a-kind sculptures, her work explores the fascinating contrast between the end of life and the beauty that still remains. Every piece feels thoughtful, a little haunting, and incredibly artistic, inviting you to slow down and appreciate details you might otherwise overlook.
My favorite piece was an incredible creepy pumpkin goblin sculpture. Equal parts eerie, whimsical, and beautiful, her booth embodied everything I love about fantasy art. It's not often you find artwork that feels simultaneously unsettling and charming, but somehow Madlee manages to make that balance feel completely natural.
Favorite Vendors From the market
Hook & Punch Creations
If your aesthetic falls somewhere between cozy cottagecore, spooky oddities, and "I definitely need this little goblin in my house," Hook & Punch Creations deserves a stop.
Their booth was overflowing with handmade crochet creations, upcycled bags, punch needle embroidery, witchy wares, wearable pieces, and all sorts of wonderfully peculiar treasures. Every item felt playful and full of personality, striking that perfect balance between whimsical and a little delightfully weird.
I was especially obsessed with their Underworld Gorbz dolls. They instantly caught my eye with their expressive little faces and quirky personalities. They somehow managed to be equal parts creepy and adorable, which, if you ask me, is a pretty impressive accomplishment. It's the kind of booth where you walk away with something you never knew you needed... until you saw it.
Meet your Photographer
Alaynna Meyer Media
If you’re planning an event in Dayton Ohio, Cincinnati Ohio, or beyond and want photos that feel real, artful, and a little wild - I’m your girl.
It’s never too early to hit that contact form and make some magic together.
