A Dreamy Feminine Photoshoot at Home

Winter always has a way of making me feel a little dull—like the world outside has lost its color, and somehow, so have I. Lately, I had been feeling uninspired, longing for something to bring back a sense of femininity and warmth. So, I decided to create a dreamy at-home photoshoot, just for myself. A little creative escape to remind me of the beauty in soft details and glowing light.

The Setup: A Vintage-Inspired Backdrop

I wanted a soft, romantic aesthetic, so I added a simple backdrop using a layer of sheets and brown fabric. A backdrop stand held everything in place, and I fixed the fabric in place letting some of it hang down to create a dreamy, flowing effect. I love how something so simple can turn a corner of my home into a delicate, lovely setting, even if behind the scenes doesn't exactly match the vibe I'm going for. I get messy when I create.

Not the most glamorous behind the scenes picture, just keeping it real.

Playing with Light: Candles and Reflection

Lighting is everything when it comes to photography, and for this shoot, I chose two light sources: a warm artificial light, the strobe in the background of the picture above and the flickering glow of a candle. The candlelight added that perfect touch of intimacy and softness, casting shadows that made the whole scene feel more magical. To balance the light, I used a reflector to bounce it back onto me, softening any harsh shadows and enhancing the glow. It really does magic, I never would have thought to use it if it wasn't for the self educating I did over the summer. The strobe light was pointing at the ceiling, which helped diffuse the light and make it even softer, creating a more flattering effect.

This is what the set up looked like before I added the candle.

The Dress: Flowing and Feminine

For these types of photoshoots, it’s best to wear soft fabrics like tulle, silk, or anything that flows gently with movement. I chose a delicate dress with layers that caught the light beautifully, adding to the ethereal quality of the shoot. A flowing, feminine dress enhances the dreamy effect, making the final images feel even more romantic and timeless. I bought this dress of a website called Dolls Kill when they had the dress for sale, I didn't spend a lot of money on it, if I'm remembering correctly it was 20$.

Websites like ThredUp, Dolls Kill, even Shein and Temu have inexpensive dresses for these types of photoshoots. I'm not a spender, but if I have an idea, I will have savings for that category - I call it my "fun fund".

Makeup: A Touch of Drama and Glow

To complement the soft and moody lighting, I went for a darker eyeshadow look and added mascara to define my lashes. I also highlighted my cheeks and nose, giving my skin a radiant glow that caught the light just right. The combination of soft, luminous skin with slightly dramatic eyes created a perfect balance for the vintage-inspired aesthetic. I recently rewatched Phantom of the Opera, and in the scene where the Phantom leads Christine to his quarters under the opera house, her evening makeup highlighted her features even more, and that's what I wanted to do in my at home photoshoot.

Source : Pinterest

Capturing the Mood: Camera vs. Phone

I used my mirrorless camera to capture the images, adjusting the settings to embrace the warmth and shadows. But honestly, today’s phone cameras are incredible, and they would have done a beautiful job as well. The key was playing with angles, capturing close details, and embracing a slower, more artistic approach to the shoot.

The Feeling: A Gentle Return to Myself

As I posed in the soft light, wrapped in delicate fabric, I felt something shift. The winter blues faded, if only for a while, replaced by a feeling of warmth and femininity. It was a small act of self-care, a creative moment just for me, and sometimes, that’s exactly what I need, and perhaps we all need.

If you're feeling uninspired this season, I highly recommend setting up your own dreamy photoshoot at home. Light some candles, play with fabric, and capture yourself in a way that makes you feel beautiful, you can even play your favorite music to spark more creativity. The magic is in the details, and sometimes, in the simplest of things, we find ourselves again.

Here's more pictures of the photoshoot :

As always, thank you for reading,

Anastasia