How I blended photography, AI, and mixed media for a fashion campaign
Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to work on an exciting commission for one of my regular clients, Karen Mabon. They approached me with a beautiful brief and gave me full creative freedom to bring it to life. While the shoot itself took place in a studio with a plain white backdrop, I knew from the very beginning that the final images would be anything but ordinary.
Bringing the Vision to Life
The head of marketing at Karen Mabon had been following my work on Instagram for years, and although we had collaborated on various projects before—including their Barbie collaboration with Mattel—it had been a while since our last project together. Seeing my work evolve with AI and mixed media, they reached out in early January to explore a new creative direction.
One of the most exciting aspects of this project was the level of trust they placed in me. They didn’t have strict guidelines; they simply wanted something exciting, vibrant, floral, and colorful—elements that perfectly align with the brand. With their input, I created a mood board to set the tone, but the creative execution was left entirely in my hands.
The Shooting Process
The shoot took place at Shutterhouse Studios, my go-to space in North London. Choosing a white backdrop allowed me full control over the final environment in post-production. However, every shot was meticulously planned. We determined which looks would be standing, cropped, sitting, or laying down, and I had a clear vision of how each image would be transformed afterward.
Planning was absolutely crucial. When creating images that rely heavily on post-production, you cannot go in without a clear idea of the final product. The goal on the shoot day was to capture the base poses, gestures, and moods that I would later enhance with digital elements—essentially laying the groundwork for a collage.
Lighting played a significant role in ensuring the final images felt cohesive. We kept it soft and flattering, allowing me to seamlessly integrate floral elements and other visual enhancements in post-production. Maintaining consistent lighting throughout the shoot helped unify the collection and made post-processing smoother.
Post-Production: Where the Magic Happens
Once the shoot was complete, I brought all the images into Photoshop and began experimenting. Although I had a general plan for each image, finding the right composition and elements required a bit of back and forth—both with my tools and with the client.
For this project, I used a mix of AI tools, including MidJourney and Adobe Firefly, alongside traditional Photoshop compositing techniques. Most of the work involved enhancing the images rather than replacing the photography itself. The goal was to expand upon the existing photographs, creating a dreamlike world that felt both surreal and seamlessly integrated.
Some images came together quickly, while others required more time and experimentation. This is what I love about mixed media—it challenges me to explore new possibilities and constantly push creative boundaries.
The Final Result
The final collection is a beautiful blend of soft, feminine aesthetics with a slightly surreal touch—perfectly complementing Karen Mabon’s distinctive prints and brand identity. This project truly reignited my passion for combining photography with digital art, and since then, I’ve been diving even deeper into blending AI with mixed media techniques.
Looking Ahead
I’m incredibly excited to continue exploring this creative direction and will be sharing more projects soon. If you’re curious about these tools and want to learn how to incorporate them into your own commercial, fashion, or editorial shoots, feel free to leave a comment below. And don’t forget to like and subscribe for more insights into the evolving world of photography and digital art!
