29 Apr Julia | Creative Gel Portrait Session
When I have time to practice photography outside of client work, I usually turn the camera toward myself. Self-portraits have always been one of my favourite ways to experiment with lighting, test new ideas, and keep improving without any pressure.
Recently, I created a gel lighting session for myself and shared a few of the images online. Not long after, my friend and incredibly talented model Julia took an interest in the concept. I told her that if she ever wanted to come by the studio and do a creative gel session together, she was more than welcome.
Julia didn’t just take me up on the offer, she jumped right in.
What I love about shooting with Julia is that she always brings more than just a good pose. She brings energy, personality, and style. She showed up with epic outfits, incredible accessories, and a full vision. Since gel lighting can shift and alter colours dramatically, she leaned into darker clothing to keep the look clean and graphic, but her accessories were next level and added so much character to each setup.
We started with a classic gel combination that I absolutely love: blue and yellow. Using a yellow background and a blue gelled key light, we created a bold, graphic look that instantly felt high-fashion and cinematic. The contrast was strong, the mood was powerful, and Julia’s expressions fit the vibe perfectly.
From there, we switched the lighting and background to create a completely different atmosphere. The second look featured an orange background paired with a pink gelled key light, creating a vibrant, punchy colour palette that felt playful, edgy, and full of attitude. Julia adapted effortlessly, changing her expression and presence to match the mood of the lighting.
For the third setup, we brought in a blue background and added lighting that shifted her skin tones into a vivid fuchsia. This final look felt bold, futuristic, and electric, and it ended up being one of my favourite looks from the entire session.
One of the best parts of the shoot was watching Julia transform between each setup. She brought bubble gum for a fun punk-inspired vibe, and her accessories added so much visual interest. One of the standout pieces was a dramatic hat covered in bold metallic spikes, which instantly gave the shoot an editorial edge. She also brought retro visor-style sunglasses that felt straight out of the 80s, and styled her hair into a high ponytail that worked perfectly with the futuristic vibe of the lighting.
Julia also did her own makeup for the shoot, and it looked absolutely incredible. Everything came together so naturally, and it reminded me how powerful it is when someone shows up fully prepared and ready to create.
This shoot wasn’t just fun, it was refreshing.
Creative sessions like this are where photography feels the most playful and free. There’s no pressure to meet a specific brief, no strict expectations, and no limitations other than curiosity. It’s the kind of work that allows my mind to wander, experiment, and try new ideas without overthinking.
I walked away from this session feeling inspired, recharged, and honestly grateful. Not only because the images turned out strong, but because it’s always a gift to create with people you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Julia brought so much personality and style to this session, and I’m already excited for the next time we get to collaborate.
To see more of Julia’s work, click the link below:
Julia – model – https://www.instagram.com/persephoneviceofficial/
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