Behind the Scenes: Creating My Festive Evergreen Editorial
Hello, lovely readers! I’m thrilled to finally share my latest editorial shoot, which I've just released. If you haven’t seen it yet, don’t worry — I’ll link it below. This shoot, featuring the talented Shawna, was captured against a vibrant green backdrop in a beautiful studio called The Nook. I’m so grateful to the team at The Nook for kindly inviting me to use their space for the day — it's genuinely one of the best perks of this job! Getting to experiment with different studios and spaces is such a treat.
The Creative Shift: From Concept to Execution
When I initially planned this shoot, I had a completely different idea in mind. As I began looking at the available equipment list and backdrop options at the studio, I realized I didn’t have access to everything I thought I would — but that’s okay! It wasn’t a criticism of the studio, just me getting ahead of myself. With only a week to go before the shoot, I had to pivot. Thankfully, I had a fantastic team already on board, all working collaboratively for the fun of it, and they were all super understanding about the shift in direction.
As I often do in these situations, I quickly reworked the concept. I thought, what creative restraints do I have here? There was a gorgeous green backdrop, and it had been a while since I shot with that color, so it became the perfect inspiration. From there, I executed my usual planning process from A to Z, and the result is what you see in the final images.
Festive Vibes, Subtle Elegance
You’ll notice that the images have a festive feel, but I kept it subtle. I’m not one to go overboard with Christmas themes, so I aimed for something that felt seasonal yet refined. I’ve slowly been releasing these images on my Instagram and website, and I’m excited to share more over the next few days.
Interestingly, I initially thought I would submit these images to magazines. But after finishing the shoot and looking at the results, I felt like they were too good not to share immediately — so I did. From a marketing perspective, I wanted to make the most of them during the holiday season, even if the submission window had passed.
Behind the Scenes: Lighting Magic and New Techniques
One of the most common questions I’ve gotten about this shoot is about the lighting setup, so let me break it down for you. My lighting assistant, Sasha, had recently seen an incredible lighting technique she was eager to try out — something she calls the jellyfish setup. As someone who knows the kind of light I prefer, she was excited to experiment, and I was all for it.
Sasha set up a Profoto B10X head with a medium umbrella, and instead of the usual 45° angle, she pointed it straight up. We then draped a shower curtain around the umbrella and raised the light to create this soft, glowing light that mimicked sunlight coming from above. The result was beautiful, soft light with just enough shape. To balance out the shadows, we used black polyboards on the opposite side to create more definition.
If you’re interested, you can check out the behind-the-scenes footage for a better look at this setup. It may seem a bit unorthodox, but the results speak for themselves!
Editing and the Art of Texture
After the shoot, the editing process was relatively simple. I work primarily in Capture One, where I do all the color grading, temperature adjustments, exposure tweaks, and all the standard editing tasks. Recently, I’ve also started experimenting with AI-powered tools for retouching, like Evoto. While I haven’t fully tested it yet, I’m excited to see how it might speed up my workflow.
Another technique I’ve incorporated into my editing process is printing the images out and painting on them before scanning them back in. This adds a tactile texture to the work that you can’t replicate digitally. It’s something I love doing, and it adds a layer of uniqueness to my images.
Gear Talk: The Printer & Scanner
A few of you asked about the printer and scanner I use for this process. After much research, I finally settled on the Epson ET 8500, a fantastic Eco Inkjet printer. It has a scanner built in, and the ink lasts for a long time, which is great for my workflow. I also have a standard scanner for scanning prints back in, but when it comes to film negatives, I leave that to the professionals.
The AI Touch: Bringing Nature Into Focus
One of the most exciting aspects of this shoot was my use of AI to create elements in the images. For the festive branches you see in the photos, I used Adobe Firefly’s Generative Fill to add digital foliage. While the rest of the shoot is completely real and tactile, the AI-generated branches fit perfectly into the concept of the shoot. It was the perfect blend of technology and nature.
Nature-Inspired Concept
Speaking of nature, my creative direction for this shoot was inspired by the beauty of evergreen trees — the stars of the winter season. I wanted to celebrate them in a subtle, elegant way, free from tinsel and sparkle. My aim was to bring nature into the studio and make it the focus of the shoot. The model's hair, designed by the incredibly talented Dana, was inspired by tree branches, and it was a beautiful way to tie everything together.
The Power of Planning
Even though this shoot was done quickly and with less planning than usual, I always stick to my Perfect Portfolioplanning method. Every shoot I do, big or small, follows this process, which helps me stay focused and ensures the shoot has a clear vision.
Portfolio Shoots vs. Commission Work: My Preference
Some of you asked whether I prefer doing personal portfolio shoots or commissioned work. While I enjoy the creative freedom of personal shoots, I generally prefer pitching ideas beforehand and securing a commission. For fashion editorials, having a pull letter for clothes and accessories makes a huge difference, which is why I always aim for commission work when possible.
Final Thoughts: What’s Next?
As always, thank you for your interest in my work. Your questions and feedback mean the world to me. If you want to see the final images, be sure to check out my Instagram and website for the latest updates. I’m also working on something exciting for the new year — so stay tuned!
And if you’re considering doing your own personal projects, remember to stay flexible, plan your shoots, and most importantly, have fun experimenting!
