Meeting Ella at a secluded garden in Orono, Maine, after a thunderstorm had passed was like stepping into a different world. The rain-soaked earth and lingering mist created a dreamy atmosphere, making it the perfect setting for a portrait session that felt more like a story than a series of photos. Ella arrived in a vintage Gunne Sax dress, and we collaborated on a nature/vintage-inspired session The dress, with its delicate lace and flowing fabric, set the tone for a shoot that was both whimsical and haunting. I tried out some new film techniques as we found a sense of calm and creativity after the chaos of a storm.

Film portrait of a women in a vintage dress in a garden

Creative Film Portraits

As we explored the garden, I experimented with a new film stock that unexpectedly rendered every image with a soft green tint. While it wasn’t what I had planned, the effect was striking and lent the photos an otherworldly feel. The green hues captured the lushness of the garden after the rain, making it seem as though the world had been washed clean and was now glowing with life. Ella, barefoot, became a part of the landscape as she wandered through the fields, stood in the pond, and leaned against trees. The slow shutter speeds I used enhanced the sense of calm and quiet that hung in the air, making the images feel like fleeting moments of serenity captured in time.

Experimental film portraits of a girl twirling in a vintage Gunne Sax dress

Moreso than precise, ‘perfect’ photos, this session reminded me that the magic lies in the imperfections and mistakes. As a result, the photographs feel so much like I felt in that moment. They are a bit mystical, rain-soaked, and blurred. I wanted the photos to evoke a sense of calm and reflection, but also to hint at the mysterious and unknown. The unexpected green hues turned out to be a gift, transforming what could have been a standard portrait session into something much more poetic.

Medium format film portrait of a women sitting and smiling in a garden in Maine

Haunting Inspiration

The inspiration for this shoot came from a desire to capture something ethereal and timeless. Ella’s Gunne Sax dress and the moody weather were perfect elements for creating a haunting narrative through film. There was something about the way the dress fell on the grass and in the water, and how Ella moved through the garden with a quiet grace, that made the images feel like scenes from a dream.

We began the session with Ella standing in a small pond, watching frogs jump and swim in the water. The scene was almost surreal—the pale dress against the dark water, the ripples breaking the surface, and the overcast sky reflected in the pond. The film’s green tint, coupled with the slow shutter speeds, gave the images a ghostly quality, as if Ella were both present and part of the garden itself.

Creative film portrait in a lily pad pond

Ethereal haunting film portrait of women standing on rocks in a pond

Experimental film of women sitting in dress in green field

Finding Calm in the Chaos

Despite the moody weather and the challenges of working with new film, the session with Ella was a lesson in finding calm amid chaos. The rain had left everything feeling fresh and new, and as we wandered through the empty garden, it was as though the world had been momentarily paused for us. There were no distractions, no rush—just the quiet connection between Ella, nature, and the camera.

Artistic blurry photo of a women looking through dew covered tree

Ella was nervous about being in front of the lens, but as we chatted and explored the garden, she became more comfortable. I offered a few prompts, like asking her to run through the fields or to reach out and touch the leaves, but mostly we just let the session unfold naturally. The lack of a strict plan allowed us both to relax and enjoy the process, and that sense of ease is evident in the final images.