Welcome to our Creator of the Month, where we get to shine the spotlight on creative talents! This month, we have Kalina Schneider, a photographer who blends artistry with storytelling. Her work is full of surreal elements that draws you in and transports you to enchanting worlds. Come along as we dive into her creative journey, shares her techniques with the PMI fog machine and smoke bubbles, and how she creates the magic when she melds imagination and skill together!
What’s the idea behind this shoot?
For this particular shoot, I wanted to feature the hat that I created, heavily embellished with stones and jewels. I instantly thought of smoke bubbles as an element that would complement its aesthetics. Surrounded by floating orbs of smoke that distort light and hint at something otherworldly. The concept was to create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere where the subject exists in a space between reality and fantasy. The smoke bubbles serve as ephemeral visual metaphors—fragile, beautiful, and fleeting. They reflect themes of introspection, transformation, or the whimsical nature of memory.
How do you plan a shoot?
Every shoot starts with a concept —a narrative or emotional tone I want to explore. Just like this one, it started with the hat. From there:
- I develop a mood board with color palettes, poses, and wardrobe references.
- I scout a location or design a set that complements the concept (ideally with controlled light and minimal wind when using smoke bubbles).
- I select my gear and modifiers , knowing how critical it is to control light and shadows with smoke in play.
- I test the smoke bubble machine ahead of time to understand its output, and ask someone to assist me!
What role does storytelling play in your photography?
Storytelling is the soul of my photography. A technically perfect portrait without a story is just a picture. But a portrait infused with narrative pulls the viewer in, triggers emotion, and holds attention. The smoke bubbles aren’t just props—they’re visual punctuation marks in a sentence of light and expression. In this case, the smoke and bubbles are an important part of my final image, which in its nature is quite surreal.
Do you have any tips on how you incorporate the fog machine's smoke bubbles and other extra elements during portrait shoots?
- Timing is everything – I prep the model to freeze or move in sync with the release. I also often shoot in burst mode.
- Backlight the bubbles – Smoke bubbles reveal their depth and shape when lit from behind or the side.
- Use shallow depth of field – This isolates the subject while letting the bubbles become dreamy foreground or background blur.
- Control the chaos – Have an assistant operate the machine so you can focus on framing and timing.
- Balance elements – Don’t overuse them. They should enhance, not overpower the portrait.
What advice would you give to other creators looking to incorporate smoke bubbles into their work?
Start with intention, not gimmickry . Ask yourself what emotion or aesthetic the smoke bubbles are amplifying. Practice in a controlled space to understand how light, wind, and camera settings affect their appearance.
Be patient—the results are often unpredictable, but that’s part of the magic. Have backup concepts in case conditions don’t cooperate. And most importantly, collaborate with your subject —make them part of the creative journey, everyone loves playing with bubbles!! We brought Smoke Ninja to our last workshop, and there wasn’t one person who didn’t have a blast. There’s something ethereal and magical about the smoke bubbles that takes us back to a child-like state, and that’s what it's all about.
About the Creator
Kalina Schneider is an International Award-winning Master Photographer known for her vibrant Fine Art Portraiture and Fashion Photography. She explores self-discovery through her work, featuring a unique style influenced by her studies in art history, theatrical costumes, and vintage fashion. Alongside her husband, fellow Photographer Kelly Schneider, she conducts immersive photography workshops internationally and in the United States.
