Welcome to the Enchanted Forest with Gilmar Smith
By Gilmar Smith
A few weeks ago, I was contacted by Lovelane Designs, a children’s playwear brand, to create a few images for the launch of their new collection “Band of Misfits”.
As a mom of a very creative daughter, I fell in love with the idea, and I knew I had the perfect model for the campaign.
The theme of the photoshoot was a forest.
In the next few days, every time I had a few hours to spare, I would drive to Spectacular Themes Orlando to build the set for the photo shoot. Having access to all kinds of props and the space to build a set is a dream for any photographer. I am so thankful for Randy and Jack from Spectacular Themes, who put up with me every week with all my ideas and gave me a room to play!
On the day of the photoshoot, I packed all my photography gear in my car, and my daughter and I headed to our magical forest set up.
I knew I wanted to be able to create a few images that look like they were taken during the day, and some others during the night.
For the daylight images, I placed an Elinchrom BXR 500 with a bare bulb on the back of the set on the left corner to mimic sunlight. Then on camera left, I placed another Elinchrom BXR 500 with an Octabank, and a strip light on the front of the set to fill shadows.
To create atmosphere, I sprayed Atmosphere Aerosol. This product comes really handy when you don't own a fog machine, or you are in a place where you can't use a fog machine due to fire alarms and sprinkler systems.
For the night images, I turned off the strobe in the back corner of the set that was mimicking sunlight. Then I added stars in Photoshop.
I tethered my Nikon Z7 to my computer using my Tethertools pro kit. That allowed me to see my images in a bigger size as I was taking them. I never really trust the back of my camera. I shoot tethered whenever it is possible!
When it comes to working with kids, I love to let their personalities shine and allow them to explore the set while giving them minimal direction and engaging with them in play instead. Let them tell you a story!
