It’s less than a week after Thanksgiving, and of course, I’m coming down with a little cold 🙁 (Someone must have sneezed on the potato salad). I guess you can’t guess what that means? Less fashion content, but more creative freedom (This will definitely last an entire day)!

While resting, I decided to get in the holiday spirit with this self-timer, portrait photoshoot.

The Concept

Think Stranger Things, but without the obnoxious colorful lights. I’m doubting Will’s ability to send us any cryptic messages from the Upside Down at this point.

What you need

The supplies are very simple. You only need Christmas Lights, scotch tape, and a chair. Of course, I had everything lying around the house, except for the red cellophane paper.

Oh, and lets not forget the camera equipment. I shot with my Canon Rebel T6i DSLR and a Canon 50mm f/1.4L lens, sunpak ultra 7000 tripod, diva ringlight, and canon wireless remote controller.

The Process

I secured the camera on the tripod, and placed it about four feet away from my area of interest. Since I’m using a prime lens, I want to be focused directly on the couch. So, this distance is perfect.

Once the camera was stationed, I set up the ring light to the left of my “stage.” Then, I wrapped and taped the red cellophane paper around the light, creating a more intimate scene.

While standing on a chair, I hung and draped the Christmas lights directly in front of the camera. The lower portion of the cord was placed near the couch.

The Result

Once the camera was turned on, I was ready to shoot. While holding the lights in one hand with the remote in the other, I sat on the couch and began posing. The red ambiance produced by the light source created a nice shadow effect on the other side of my face. The Christmas lights themselves were very fairy like, which different sized glares throughout each shot. Overall, I love how the photos came out! I need to get sick more often (Knocks on wood).

Thanks,

-Bryce Lennon