Dreamy Photoshoot Tips: Techniques for Dreamy Photography

Dreamy Photoshoot Tips: Techniques for Dreamy Photography

As a teenager, I was obsessed with Vivien Leigh.

I thought she was the most beautiful woman on the planet, especially after seeing her in Gone with the Wind, wearing one incredible costume after another.

Later, I came across some stunning black-and-white portrait photographs of her from the 1930s.

Those pictures are one of the reasons why I became a self-portrait photographer.

They had such a beautiful, dreamy aesthetic and really highlighted her beauty, and all I wanted to do was learn how to create such gorgeous portraits myself.

The “Old Hollywood” Trick for Dreamy Photos

I didn’t realise then that those photographs were most likely shot with a pair of tights (or pantyhose for my American readers) over the lens—an age-old cinematography trick used in Old Hollywood.

The resulting dreamy photoshoot effect is called soft focus photography.

In today’s article, I want to share my favourite tools and techniques for achieving that soft, romantic aesthetic.

If you prefer video to written content, check out my video on dreamy photography here.

Or keep on reading to find out more about dreamy photoshoot techniques!

(Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases).

1. What is Soft Focus Photography Used in Dreamy Photoshoots?

Soft focus photography is a technique where light from a subject is focused in different planes.

It doesn’t mean that your subject is out of focus.

Instead, the lens forms blurred images due to spherical aberration, with the edges remaining sharp.

You might think you can just defocus your lens to create this dreamy effect, but sadly that doesn’t work.

Instead, choose one of the following methods to create dreamlike photography with a beautiful dreamy effect

A Self-Portrait Using one of the Methods in This Blog Post.

2. Dreamy Photoshoot Techniques – How to Create Dreamy Photos?

The first (and easiest) way to create dreamy, ethereal photography is using things you most likely already have at home.

2. 1) Tights/Stockings

First of all, let’s talk about the tights/stocking technique.

So, how does it work?

All you have to do is find a pair of tights or stockings in your wardrobe and cover the lens with the fabric.

You could even use those thin socks you get when you try on shoes barefoot in a shoe shop.

Different colours lead to different effects – many people use black tights, but I’ve also had great results with nude-coloured ones.

You can also try white or light pink colours for a different look.

Self-Portrait Shot Using a Pair of Tights over the Lens.

How to Use Stockings for Dreamy Photoshoots

All you have to do to create beautiful, dreamy pictures is to pull the fabric over your lens and attach it so it doesn’t slip – I use a simple rubber band.

Make sure the fabric is taut; you don’t want any wrinkles to form.

Then, simply shoot through the tights or stockings.

Sidenote: You may find that your camera’s autofocus doesn’t work with this method – in that case, you may have to manually focus instead.  

What to Use the Effect For

This method results in beautiful, soft-focus photos because some of the light travelling through the fabric will be bent, while the rest will travel straight through.

The result is a gorgeous, dreamy photo effect that works really well for portraits and self-portraits.

Depending on your lighting and accessories, you may also get beautiful halos, light flares, and other effects.

I’ve had some amazing results wearing jewellery with light-reflecting crystals.

Using Stockings in Front of the Lens Creates Beautiful Sparkling Effects Like in This Image.

Before I get to the next section…did you know you can download my free portrait photography ebook? More info below:

…but now, back to the blog post!

2.2 Vaseline

Another fantastic way to create dreamy pictures with a soft focus effect is using Vaseline.

This is precisely why I always keep a jar of Vaseline in my photo home studio!

First of all, a very important disclaimer: please never EVER put Vaseline directly on your lens. You don’t want to damage your expensive equipment.

Instead, buy a cheap UV or other transparent filter which you can make your designated “Vaseline filter” and clean after each use.

In practice, this must be one of the easiest soft-focus photography methods ever:

Simply put a bit of Vaseline on your lens filter and shoot.

I really like putting it only on the outside and leaving the middle blank – this works great for portraits.

Don’t put too much on, by the way – a little goes a long way.

If the Vaseline layer is too thick, your photos will look blurry and smudged rather than dreamy.

Self Portrait Shot Using Vaseline on the Lens Filter.

Buy Vaseline here.

2.3 Lens Filters

I do love the pantyhose effect, however these days I mostly use lens filters for my soft focus photography because they’re just so user friendly and come in different strengths.

Once you’re ready to shoot, simply attach the filter to your lens (by the way, don’t forget to take the filter off AFTER your shoot or you will notice that suddenly ALL your photography starts looking very dreamy!).

The filter is very inconspicuous, so it has happened to me many times that I just leave it on there forever.

There are many soft focus filters available that create a dreamy photo effect.

In my opinion, you don’t need to buy the expensive brands; cheaper ones will do the job.

I personally use these soft focus filters for dreamy photoshoots, which are available in different strengths.

Make sure to buy the right filter diameter for your lens – this is printed on the outside of your lens with the symbol “⌀”.

2.4 Soft Focus Lens

If you really LOVE soft focus photography, you may want to invest in an actual soft focus lens.

The most well-known brand for these is Lensbaby – the lenses don’t come cheap, but they’re purpose made for this technique and work really well.

I personally haven’t tried any soft focus lenses for dreamy photoshoots because I’m really happy with just using filters, Vaseline and tights.

However, I have seen photographs taken with them and they do look really pretty, so it may be worth saving up for one of these lenses.

Other Physical Tools for Dreamy Photographs

If you want to save money, I’ve heard of people using lenses from a projector to create dreamy photographs (however, you will need an adapter to attach them to your camera body).

Or you could even use a magnifying glass if you want to get crafty, but you will need to create your own aperture ring out of black paper or cardboard/mount the magnifying glass in front of a cardboard tube so that your photos don’t end up overexposed.

I really want to try this last method because I think it would create a really interesting effect with an element of randomness, which can often lead to the most stunning results.

2.5 Creating Soft Focus through Editing in Photoshop

Obviously, with Photoshop being the powerful workhouse that it is, you can also add a dreamy effect to your photographs in postproduction.

I actually don’t tend to do this  – I always prefer doing as much as I can during the shoot rather than afterwards because I think it usually looks more realistic and beautiful.

However, I do include it here to give you the option in case you don’t have any other methods available.

To create ethereal photographs in Photoshop, do the following:

• Copy your main image layer and select the new layer you created.
• Go to Filter > Blur > Surface Blur. Adjust the radius to 20 and threshold to 200.
• You can then mask out the effect in the areas where you don’t want it. 
• If you find the effect too strong, you can also change the opacity of the blurred layer to weaken it.

I hope you found these dreamy photoshoot tips helpful. 

By the way…if you like taking portraits and need some fresh inspiration, you may be interested in my free 7 day cinematic portrait challenge – more info below: