Photographic Illustration & Hand-Crafted Worlds
I design and photograph expressive puppets, props and miniature sets – creating cinematic imagery for authors, publishers, studios & creative teams
What I do
Cinematic Photography
Professional lighting, miniature environments and studio-shoot workflow that bring your narrative visuals to life.
Hand-Crafted Characters
Sculpted and fabricated puppets with personality, ready to be photographed or animated.
Custom Props & Sets
Miniature worlds designed, built and lit to tell your story in a single frame or across a series.
Who is This For?
This is for you if you’re an author, publisher, creative director, advertiser or studio seeking distinctive visual assets —
- a stand-out book cover or interior illustration set
- a miniature universe for motion design or stop-motion
- custom characters and props for branded imagery or editorial campaigns
About CJ Karch
I’m a photographic illustrator and set designer who creates expressive characters and miniature worlds for storytelling. With two decades of professional photography and lighting experience, I blend sculpture, fabrication, and studio technique to craft imagery with depth, personality, and atmosphere.
I partner closely with clients to create imagery that aligns seamlessly with their brand and creative goals. Whether you need original characters, custom-built sets, or photography of existing products, I tailor the process to your style, timeline, and project vision.
Ready to Bring Your World to Life?
If you have a character, story, product, or creative idea that needs a distinctive visual style, I’d love to hear about it. Every project begins with a conversation — no pressure, no obligation.