Welcome back to our Creator of the Month highlight! This month, we are thrilled to spotlight Meg Loeks, a photographer whose work captures the essence of childhood and family life through a creative lens. Meg combines her artistic vision with a playful spirit, creating images that resonate with warmth and nostalgia.
We delve into her recent shoot with her son and learn how she incorporates magical elements like creating smoke bubbles with the SmokeNINJA fog machine. Read on as we take a glimpse through the fog at Meg’s creative process and how she uses photography as a medium for storytelling.
What’s the idea behind this shoot?
This shoot was inspired by my son’s love and fascination with wearing his snorkel gear, especially during bath time. I wanted to lean into that sense of playful imagination by incorporating smoke bubbles, whimsical lighting, and a few beloved stuffies.
How did your son respond to the use of smoke bubbles during the shoot?
What made this shoot especially meaningful was how much it centered around play. He loved popping the bubbles, which gave me ample time to photograph him, something that’s not always easy with a toddler!
What specific settings or techniques did you find most effective when working with the fog machine and the smoke bubbles?
I used the dry ice setting paired with the haze fan on my SmokeNINJA. This setup worked best for quickly creating a lot of bubbles and filling the scene with a dreamy atmosphere.
What advice would you give to other creators looking to incorporate smoke effects into their work?
For me, using the SmokeNINJA is all about enhancing storytelling. It’s an incredible tool that elevates the mood and atmosphere within my portraiture, helping me deepen the narrative and bring even more magic into the frame.
About the Creator
Meg Loeks lives with her husband and five children on a hobby farm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Her passion for photography began in childhood, but she initially pursued a degree in advertising and public relations in college. Soon after graduating, she returned to photography, focusing on themes of home through nostalgic fine art and portraits.
Meg teaches workshops both online and in-person and is a SIGMA Ambassador, a Profoto Legend of Light, and a 2022 Lightroom Ambassador. She also volunteers as a photographer for The Gold Hope Project, providing free photo sessions for families battling pediatric cancer.
