This make-up artist uses body paint to transform humans into insects

Beauty and transformation have long been connected, but in Metamorphosis, the latest photo series from make-up artist and creative director Janina Zais, this transition becomes literal. Inspired by butterflies, the shoot sees pole dancer and former ballet dancer Yvonne Wadewitz undertake a transformation through the use of body paint.

“The concept is based on butterflies because they’ve always symbolised something otherworldly to me. A kind of fragile, alien beauty that feels like it doesn’t fully belong to this world,” says Zais. She cites the book Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander, in which butterflies represent the soul’s evolution in the afterlife, as a key influence. “That idea stayed with me – the notion that metamorphosis isn’t just physical, but spiritual.” It’s a fitting metaphor for the model and muse, who, after a career as a ballet dancer, found joy and purpose again in pole dance. “After ballet – which was heavily shaped by performance pressure – pole dance offered me the opportunity to use my body freely and with autonomy,” Wadewitz says. 

In the shoot, we see Wadewitz become something insect-like as she’s captured mid-transition. Captured by photographer Ana Marti, Zais’s make-up transforms her features into a living, breathing creature in metamorphosis. The make-up artist drew inspiration from the iridescent patterns that coat beetles and other insects, using vibrant metallic greens and pinks, which she layered with glitter. “The full body paint helped blur the line between human and insect, allowing the model to become something entirely new – something in-between,” says Zais. Below, the pair tell us more.

What inspired the shoot?

Janina Zais: I was originally inspired by insects, especially beetles with iridescent patterns, and of course butterflies. To me, there’s nothing more beautiful on Earth. Nature offers endless inspiration, and I find myself constantly drawn to its textures, colours and surreal details. I could create a thousand more body painting looks based entirely on the colours of beetles and butterflies. There’s something so otherworldly and magical about them, they’re like living jewels.

What role did Yvonne play?

Janina Zais: She was a huge inspiration to me, not just as a performer, but as a being. She’s a pole artist, but not in the traditional sense – she reinvents herself constantly, and truly looks like some kind of creature from another world. There’s something insect-like and ethereal about her presence.

Was there a moment during the shoot that felt especially transcendent or emotional?

Yvonne Wadewitz: Yes, there was. Janina asked me to close my eyes while she covered me in thousands of glitter particles. When I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror, what I sometimes feel when flying on the pole became visible. Magical!

What did the transformation through make-up evoke in you?

Yvonne Wadewitz: I felt not of this world, strong yet fragile, inspired, not human, feminine.

In what way do butterflies reflect your own development as a performer?

Yvonne Wadewitz: I believe the different stages of a butterfly’s development definitely parallel my artistic journey. Each individual phase plays a crucial role in my growth as an artist. Just as important is to remain patient and open to new things.

Photography Ana Marti; creative, body-painting, make-up and hair artist Janina Zais; muse Yvonne Wadewitz @ Let It Go Agency