Creating Fog in a Small Studio with a Fog Machine and The Vanishing Formula

Using a fog machine in a home or small studio setup can elevate your portrait photography from ordinary to cinematic. However, it often comes with a major headache: filling the entire room with dense haze and accidentally triggering the smoke alarms. In his latest video, Gavin Hoey tackles this exact problem. By pairing a small studio space with the PMI's new Vanishing Formula Kit, he demonstrates how to get incredible atmospheric effects without losing control of your environment. Read on for Gavin Hoey's top tips and takeaways from his setup.

Gavin showcases the Vanishing Formula Kit with PMI's fog machine, a specialized kit that creates dense fog that disappears rapidly after being emitted. This allows you to shoot distinct bursts of smoke over and over again without the ambient buildup blinding your camera lens or choking your studio.

One of the biggest anxieties of using a fog machine indoors during a photoshoot is dealing with hard-wired smoke detectors. Because the Vanishing Formula dissipates so quickly, it minimizes the risk of rising plumes setting off building alarms—making it an absolute game-changer for home studios and rented spaces.

Fog is practically invisible if you light it directly from the front. To make the fog pop and give your photos a dramatic edge, ensure your flash or strobe is positioned behind or to the side of the fog machine. This highlights the edges of the vapour particles, giving that crisp, textured, cinematic look.

The compact nature of the SmokeNINJA PRO fog machine allows for highly controlled special effects. In the video, Gavin experiments with creating unique elements, such as smoke-filled bubbles. This adds a whimsical, high-concept prop element to the portrait session that would be impossible to manage with a giant, traditional fog machine.