Creative portraits. Whimsical portraits are a whole experience, they use props and costumes and are lots of fun to create. — Sparkles, gloves, and headpieces, oh my!

Okay, so you decided you want a creative portrait. But, you don’t know exactly what kind of creative portrait you want. Welp, you’re here, so that’s a great step. I’ll walk you through a few whimiscal and creative sessions I’ve done in the past.

You might not want one of these examples exactly, but hopefully they point you in the right direction. Or at least get your thinking about something fun and exciting.

Let’s get started!

Gothic, Creepy & Surrealism

We’ll start out with my favorite style. Whimsical photos that are not the norm. These are what nightmares are made of, well, perhaps not very dreamy in the least.

Clothing and More

If you dress in all black, whether it’s regular clothing-docs, jeans, and metal shirts or black lace dresses, platform boots, torn fishnets, and smeared eyeliner, this style is for you.

Think spooky and eerie locations like a dense forest, darker skies, maybe even during the rain. This session may take place later in the evening, right after sunset.

Ghosting photos are fun, it looks like there are two of you. Gas masks or other odd props make for a surrealistic scene. That old weathered teddy on your bed will shine in a portrait with this style.

Child wearing a gas mask holding a teddy bear. Surrealism photos — Gas mask and a teddy bear give a Surrealism feel

Apple Valley photographer. Ghosts in photos for creepy portrait photography — Creepy photography ideas, ghosting yourself

Storybook

If fairy wings, dresses, picnic baskets, and the woods are more your thing, then keep reading.

If you love reading and immersing yourself in fantasty and fairytales, then this might be more your vibe.

Props & more props

If you fell in love with Cottagecore when it was a thing (maybe it still is a thing, I don’t know) then this is the right place. Tea parties, lace, the outdoors, reading under a tree, and frolicking through the leaves.

Props include lace parasols, a picnic basket, vintage suitcases, stacks of books, big straw hats, and perhaps a fluffy bunny.

Locations to keep in mind are big shady trees with grass, parks, a meadow, flower fields, or a lake.

Picture yourself laying on the grass, with all your favorite books spread around you, while you fell asleep reading another book.

Or, you dancing in a flower field while wearing a big fluffy dress and fairy wings.

These type of portraits are also my favorite. Telling your story in a magical way is empowering and exciting.

Nerd Alert

These are more for the gamer or nerd. Love the Lord of the Rings Trilogy? How about Star Wars? Zelda? Then, this is the style for you.

Props can really help to tell your story here.

Cloaks, Magic & More

Okay, I haven’t done a ton of these, but, the few I have done were super fun!

For clothing, you need a good cloak or cape. A leaf crown and brooch. Ears, you’ll need a pair of elf ears, whether realistic or beaded wire ones. A helmet is a must if you’re going for a Clone or Darth Vader theme.

Locations can include nature, whether it’s rocks or the forest. If you want a more edgy backdrop, go to the industrail part of town to use metal garage doors. The desert is a great backdrop too.

Conclusion

I hope this post gave you some insight and ideas, now you can choose a genre you’d love to do a creative photoshoot in. In the end, the location helps, and bring lots of different props. Ask your photographer for outfit ideas if you feel stuck. Watching the movie that you want to portray again, will help you with clothing ideas as well.

If you want to see more of my creepy portfolio, click here.

Read this post if you’re interested in Fall photo tips.

Cheers to being weird,

Annette

Creative Portrait Ideas