Magical Photography By Ash

[Paula Shuffleburg]

Standardphotography sessions can be a lot of fun. Still, sometimes it's helpful to break out of your norm to inspire yourself creatively - so why not take it to the next level and embrace the magic that can happen with a fantasy photography session?

The most important part of creating magical images is envisioning what your finished photos will look like. You then can use your location, costumes, posing, and processing to bring your vision to life.

To create your vision, you have to imagine the correct location, coordinate the proper outfits and accessories, and direct appropriate posing to ensure that any planned Photoshop effects will work and look good in post-processing.

I like to create a quick sketch of my ideas, even if it's only a stick person in the woods. When imagining your location, think about places you are familiar with that have a whimsical or magical feel. A pond or forest location are great places to start. Or, maybe you noticed an interesting log on your walk in the woods recently. Flower gardens can also be a perfect location for your little fairies to take flight.

When envisioning your final image, think about the poses that will allow you to add Photoshop Effects you want to use (like fairy wings and fairy lights, in my case) or compositing you want to do for your image. Would it be cute if she stood to the side, or would it be better if she faced directly at the camera? What if she were squatting down, picking a flower, or examining some moss on a rock?

Quick editing tip: I really can't say enough about the Pretty Actions, Fairyland Actions and Overlays. This collection makes it super easy to add beautiful and unique magical touches like wings, fairy lights, sunrays, fireflies, and more that will enhance your fantasy portraits!

Next, you will want to confirm the wardrobe. You will need to verify whether or not the client is bringing their own wardrobe for your little fairy or if you need to set aside the proper fairy dress(es) from your prop stash.

If you decide to order or rent a dress for your fantasy portrait session, you must allow enough time BEFORE THE SESSION so the items will arrive in time for your subject to try on and ensure they fit properly.

Whether it's a forest or a pond, help bring it to life for them! Make them FEEL THE EXCITEMENT AND WONDER all around them. Only then will you truly capture those magical expressions that the child and their family will cherish forever!

Do you have any questions or comments about Fantasy Photography Sessions? Leave us a comment below - we would LOVE to hear from you! And PLEASE SHARE this post using the social sharing buttons (we really appreciate it)!

I am a North Atlanta photographer living in Roswell, GA with my husband and our three sweet and high-energy boys. My husband and sons are first and foremost the loves of my life and the inspiration for my family and child photography.

Laura Frazier is a native Coloradan, who is family fueled and a traveling dreamer. She stumbled upon her passion for photography when her daughter was born and loves chasing light *almost* as much as her next cup of coffee and 3 dogs.

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Photographer Lawrence Wilkes roams New York City with a mission to capture stories, moments and fleeting interactions that best depict life in NYC. Lawrence is retired and considers himself a hobbyist when it comes to photography, but his eye for composition and storytelling through his photos shows a serious talent that Flickr members have enjoyed for years.

I arrived just minutes after sunset, at 7:15 AM and it was slightly foggy. I realized I came to the right location! Moments like these are the reason I enjoy landscape/nature photography: Perfect, magical conditions. I walked to a couple of pre-scouted locations in the forest.

Larches are deciduous which means they shed their needles in autumn and regrow them in spring. Hence they also change color. You might know them from places like the Dolomites or maybe Alberta, Canada. Right now, they have a fresh green color which is proof that it is spring!

In the next photo, sunlight was already high enough to hit some of the trees in the back which creates a nice contrast with the darker trees in the foreground. Some of the snow on the trunks was already melting and falling off.

This guide to fantasy photography will show you how to take your surreal shots to the next level. In it we provide comprehensive tips to help you choose a genre, pick a concept for your photography shoot, and unlock even more potential with post-processing.

Fantasy photography, a visual art genre that celebrates creativity and imagination, transports us to a different world, a realm where anything is possible. It intertwines the abstract with reality, creating a mesmerizing canvas of visual storytelling.

The allure of fantasy photography lies in its ability to break the shackles of mundanity. It can whisk us away into a fantastical world, a place where the ordinary is replaced by the extraordinary.

Fantasy photography is a distinctive genre of the visual arts, defined by its focus on creating whimsical and imaginative photos. Alternatively, you may have heard it referred to as surreal photography as well.

Unlike traditional photography genres that strive to capture reality as accurately as possible, fantasy photographers let their imagination run wild. This approach creates unique scenes that blur the line between the real and the surreal.

Consequently, the theme sets the tone for your shoot, guiding your choice of location, props, costumes, and post-production techniques. Fantasy photographers need to consider what story they want to tell and what emotions they want to evoke.

Consider the practical aspects, such as accessibility and safety, as well as how well the location fits your concept. Props, meanwhile, should add depth and detail to your scene without overpowering the main subjects.

In fantasy photography, the power of a compelling narrative is paramount, and the composition of your photo plays a significant role in this. The arrangement of elements within your frame can evoke emotions and create a sense of balance and harmony.

As a fantasy photographer, taking time to thoughtfully compose your images can significantly elevate the narrative and visual appeal of your fantasy photographs. Experiment with these techniques and see which best aligns with your unique storytelling style.

Stanislav is an extraordinary fantasy photographer known for his seamless blend of reality and fairytale elements. His breathtaking images transport viewers into a whimsical world filled with magic and mystery. Stanislav Istratov has a distinctive style with a high fashion focus in his costume designs.

Brooke is a prominent fantasy photographer who captivates audiences with her surreal fantasy portraits, often set in eerie, magical landscapes. The dark tones and dramatic themes in her work evoke a sense of otherworldly beauty that transports you to an alternate reality.

In the journey to mastering fantasy photography, embracing lessons from portrait and nature photography can enrich your creative repertoire. Generally, key photography skills such as manipulating lighting, understanding composition, and creating dreamlike effects can transform your photographs into fantasy masterpieces.

Welcome to the Underwater Photography Guide. This online book and magazine is a complete underwater photography tutorial full of u/w photography tips and techniques. Our idea is simple - learn, shoot, explore. We hope you enjoy and come back often - Scott Gietler, Owner of UWPG and Bluewater Photo & Travel.

I have to admit, when I started seeing underwater macro photos with strange, colorful circles popping up all over the internet, I didn't know what to make of it. I was a little skeptical at first. I thought perhaps that there was a new editing software that was creating the effect. But when I found out it was actually a little reflective tube known as the Saga Magic Tube that was gaining popularity among underwater macro photographers, I became intrigued at the concept. I began to see the beauty in the new style of photograph and the potential to create wonderful new perspectives. So when I had the opportunity to take the Saga Magic Tube with me on a Bluewater Travel and Underwater Photography Guide trip to Anilao, Philippines - the macro capital of the world - I was very excited!

I ending up finding that the magic tube was so easy to use, that I decided to try an additional level of difficulty by adding a fiberoptic snoot. This produced spectacular photographs with a black background so that the color of the subject was highlighted in circle surrounding it. The trick to magic tube photos with a snoot is to place the tip of the snoot at the edge of the tube. It can be a little more frustrating than using a snoot by itself, but well worth the effort.

Nirupam Nigam is the Editor-in-Chief of the Underwater Photography Guide and the President of Bluewater Photo - the world's top underwater photo & video retailer. While growing up in Los Angeles he fell in love with the ocean and pursued underwater photography in the local Channel Islands. After receiving degrees in Aquatic and Fisheries Science and General Biology, as well as a minor in Arctic Studies, Nirupam worked as a fisheries observer on vessels in the Bering Sea and North Pacific. Since then, Nirupam has been a full time underwater photographer and photo gear head. Check out more of his photography at www.photosfromthesea.com!

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