capture someone's imagination

:  an act or instance of capturing: such as

:  an act of catching, winning, or gaining control by force, stratagem, or guile

:  a move in a board game (such as chess or checkers) that gains an opponent's piece

:  to take captive

:  to gain control of especially by force

:  to gain or win especially through effort

:  some person :  somebody

:  the act or power of forming a mental image of something not present to the senses or never before wholly perceived in reality

:  creative ability

:  ability to confront and deal with a problem :  resourcefulness