February 21
13 min. to read
Do you know how the simple strings of flowers affect the mood in shots and look like completely different ornaments? Fairy Light Photography is a special type of artwork decorative light garlands to set up a perfect mood in the picture. They can be a primary or ambient light source or be used to set the scene when taking and to add a touch of fairy-tale photography. This approach creates some enchanting and romantic ambiance to your pictures in light and shade.
The fairy light photoshoot method is cheap and convenient. The garlands are easily detected and purchased. The products are space-saving, easy to operate; and flexible to be installed in any room, small or large. The author also notes that lovers take better photos and good portraits. It is simple to “play” with the light, focus, and composition — get round stylish bokeh blur or reflection. Another working tool with which you can recreate this effect is the Luminar Neo Bokeh AI tool, you can use it on most portrait photos. It was not possible to derive a sense of comfort from garlands. This automatically attention the viewer of these images more attractive.
The Fairy Light Photography style is simple for newbies. It enables the actualization of creative concepts by comparing the amount of light and the placement of an item that comes within the scene, enhancing creativity in images and differentiating work.
Garlands, also known as twinkle lights, are elegant on thin wires. Usually hung in rooms, and gardens, on holidays, they give the room and each person a special, warm glow. For photographers, they serve as a means of honing their creativity to create ah-ha shots.
Aesthetic fairy lights are used for creative décor and photography. Their objective is to illuminate a room and enhance its ambiance.
Fairy Lights are available in various styles for different spaces and purposes. Each type offers unique ways to enhance the décor, from classic garlands to modern LED designs:
LED String. They are energy efficient and can be installed both indoors and outdoors. Garlands are popular because of their affordability and variety of sizes and shades. Strings are energy-efficient indoors, or they are affordable and come in a
Copper Wire. Gentle and flexible, so it can be used to wrap objects.
Globe or Ball. Ball-shaped lamps emit light in all directions, bringing a touch of sophistication to any room.
Battery-operated vs. Plug-in. Lamps can be battery-operated, which need to be recharged, or plug-in.
Each type has its application, but they all have one thing in common — originality, allowing you to turn ordinary shots into unique ones.
Volumetric bokeh. Place garlands in the background to get a blur in the form of glowing circles. To do this, set a wide aperture (e.g., f/1.8-f/2.8) and focus on the subject in the foreground.
Garlands are the main element of the shot. Wrap garlands around your subject, adding depth and intrigue to the photo. Place them in front of the lens to softly diffuse light. Use garlands with warm hues for a cozy atmosphere.
Portrait with light framing: Create a frame of garlands around the face. With an expressive frame, you can hold lights or wrap a garland around the head.
Using reflections. Place garlands on a glossy surface. The reflected light will give the composition mystery and added volume.
Tunnel of light. Wrap garlands around a door leaf, archway, or other space. Shoot through the tunnel to direct the viewer's attention to the model at the center of the composition.
Lights in motion. Wave garlands during a long exposure (e.g., 2-3 seconds). Light trails will add dynamics and artistry to the photo.
Minimalism with a focus on detail. Illuminate only a small part of the subject, such as hands, a book page, or a piece of décor. Garlands can highlight details and create a cozy, intimate atmosphere.
Backdrop lighting. Place garlands behind an object to create a soft illumination of the edges (halo effect). This emphasizes the shape and adds volume.
Adding “sparks” to water. Use garlands around a glass bowl or place them under a clear surface with water. This will create a sparkly water reflection effect.
Narrative photos. Use garlands to build a story. They can depict a lantern in the hands of a traveler, the glow of lights in a New Year's Eve atmosphere, or the magical “stars” in a fairy tale photo.
These ideas will inspire you to create unique shots that emphasize the mood and magical atmosphere of the fairy lights.
For unique shots, the type of camera you choose is important. DSLR and mirrorless cameras give you the most control over settings such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, but don't underestimate tech-savvy smartphones. Most modern devices have great photographic capabilities. With the right settings, they're great at capturing the glow of fairy lights.
Aperture. Help you get a soft, romantic bokeh with lights. This can be done with a shallow depth of field, which is well created with a wide aperture (between f/1.8 and f/2.8).
Shutter speed. In the evening, using a slow shutter speed to capture more light, making the fairy lights look brighter. A tripod will help make the shots clearer.
ISO. A lower setting minimizes noise. Adjust depending on the ambient light.
Use manual mode in photography to make your shots unique. If you want to learn more about camera settings, check out our guide.
Don't underestimate the role of fairy light setup in photography. Think through their placement—whether they will be the main accent or a background that adds color. Different placement of lights in the foreground or background can add depth to a photo. A dark one will make the lights brighter and more expressive, while a light one will create a lighter effect.
For quality shots, use:
a tripod for stability, especially at slow shutter speeds;
a remote shutter release to eliminate camera shake;
a lens hood to protect against excessive brightness.
Fairy lights photoshoot allows you to create expressive and unique images, adding magic and depth.
How to style fairy lights? Try these techniques:
The bokeh effect. If you've seen photos with blurred in the background, that's bokeh. To create this effect, in the dark, the focus is on the subject and leaves the background blurred. This technique perfectly emphasizes the main thing in the frame.
Silhouettes and shadows. For mysterious shots, place a light source behind a person or object. This will create beautiful silhouettes and playful shadows, adding depth and artistry to your photo.
Reflections. Use mirrors, water, or glass surfaces to make garland lights reflect and double the brilliance. This will add extra charm and uniqueness to photos.
Balance and symmetry techniques. For an orderly and aesthetically pleasing shot, observe symmetry. For example, place garlands evenly on either side of the frame to create a sense of harmony.
Let your imagination run wild, try different photoshoot poses with fairy lights, and make your shots bright and unusual.
The placement of Fairy Lights in the shot is as necessary as their presence. How to use fairy lights? Use modern techniques and tools to make your photos harmonious and expressive.
The Rule of Thirds. Divide the frame into nine equal parts using two horizontal and vertical lines. Locate objects at the intersection of lines to draw the viewer's attention.
Frame in Frame. Surround your subject of focus with elements like arches, window openings, or tree branches. This emphasizes the main subject and adds volume to the photo.
Leading Lines. Use paths, tracks, or decorative elements to lead the viewer's eye through the scene. This approach adds depth to the photo and creates a sense of movement or journey.
Each of these techniques helps to convey a story through the photograph. By working with composition, you can take more than just a shot of light and create a magical and captivating scene.
Start with brightness, contrast, and saturation to improve detail and atmosphere. This will help the fairies stand out and create the right mood. It's also a good idea to crop the shot to eliminate distracting elements.
Magic Light AI in Luminar Neo helps to improve the lighting in an image by enhancing brightness and highlighting light sources. This will improve the result without having to manually adjust each element. Editing allows you to finalize your work and make your photos more vivid and expressive.
Fairy light photography transforms ordinary scenes into fantastic stories. Soft rays of light create an atmosphere that transforms even simple objects. Each shot becomes part of a captivating story, from romance and magic to drama. With the right placement of elements, brightness settings, and post-processing, you create photographs and works of art full of magic. Get your hands on the garlands and let your creativity shine through to make your pictures shine with new colors.