Nicole's creative concept for this portrait is inspired by "The Sound of Music," using flowing fabrics to create movement and interest. She sources a khaki backdrop from Avezano and a vintage-looking thrift store dress, pearl and gold necklace, and a flower crown made from artificial flowers attached to a pipe cleaner base. To create flowing fabric, Nicole uses a blonde wig with bangs and sheer sheets.



To make the backdrop solid, Nicole hangs a fleece black blanket behind the backdrop and tapes it down to keep it in place on her tile flooring. She also uses a portable backdrop that can be adjusted to be three, six, nine, or twelve feet wide. Nicole takes viewers through the process step by step, demonstrating how she uses homemade v-flats to control the light, including blocking off some natural light to prevent it from interfering with the flashes.

For her equipment, Nicole uses a Canon EOS R camera with a 24-70 2.8 lens and a Godox transmitter to fire speed lights. She is using three Canon 600 ex speed lights, with one set up as a soft hair light behind the backdrop. Nicole also hangs a black fleece blanket behind the fabric backdrop to prevent light from passing through.

With her detailed instructions and helpful tips, Nicole has provided valuable insight into how to achieve beautiful fine art portraits with just a few simple tools and techniques.