“When are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.”

– Gillian Owens, Practical Magic (1998)

The cinematic world of Practical Magic isn’t just about spells and small-town gossip; it’s a powerful manifesto for fearless self-expression. It reminds us that society often rewards fitting in, but true virtue, and true creativity, comes from daring to stand apart.

This season, that defiant, beautiful energy became our creative fuel. At REV Studios, we don’t just provide a space for photography; we cultivate a mindset that celebrates the bold, the imaginative, and the utterly unconventional. The courage to be different is what drove our latest project: a stunning, conceptual photoshoot that rejects the mundane in favor of a timeless, whimsical mischief.

The Power of the Unconventional in Art 

In a creative landscape saturated with trends and templates, the pressure to produce “safe” or “normal” work is immense. But when you look back at the art, photography, or fashion that truly lasts, it’s rarely the piece that played by the rules. It’s the one that tore up the rulebook.

The Owens women in Practical Magic were ostracized for their nature, yet their power lay entirely in their refusal to conform. This is the heart of courageous creativity: finding your unique strength in your difference.

For photographers and artists, this means pushing past the familiar filters and predictable poses. It means crafting images that stop the scroll, not because they’re generic, but because they carry a spark of the unexpected—a touch of magic. This philosophy wasn’t just an inspiration; it was the entire framework for our recent conceptual shoot. 

Wide shot of a photoshoot in progress at REV Studios with a five-person crew and a model seated on a chair against a white seamless background.

Behind the Scenes: Conjuring the 1950s Witch

Our vision was to meld the whimsical nature of the witch with the timeless elegance and structured glamour of the mid-20th century. We wanted to answer the question: What does the most charming, mischievous, and chic witch look like on her day off in 1955?

Our model, Alex Follas, became the embodiment of this character, a woman with secrets in her eyes and power in her posture. This high-concept shoot was a testament to collaboration, where every artist embraced the theme with fearless commitment.

Behind-the-scenes shot of a 1950s witch photoshoot at REV Studios, showing the model posing on the cyc wall, crew, camera, and lighting setup.

Mark Peery: Weaving the Narrative Lens

As the photographer, Mark Peery focused on capturing the character’s narrative, not just the outfit. His goal was to make the viewer wonder what spell she’s about to cast or what mischief she just finished. He used tight compositions and framing to emphasize the model’s theatrical expression and the exquisite detail of the styling.

 

Lowell Tindell: The Mischievous Light 

Creating the “magic” in a photoshoot is largely dependent on the lighting. Our lighting director, Lowell Tindell, avoided flat, commercial illumination. Instead, he relied on dramatic, directional shadows and warm, incandescent tones to give the images a smoky, intimate, and slightly dangerous feel. His work wasn’t just about exposure; it was about atmosphere, perfectly reinforcing the mood of hidden power.

 

Two hair and makeup artists working on a female subject in the designated styling area of REV Studios.

Natalie Bohlin & Melinda Cortez: Defining the Look

 The makeup and hair were crucial in cementing the 1950s aesthetic while whispering “witch.”

  • Natalie Bohlin (Makeup) focused on the era’s signature bold lip and defined brow but added a subtle, otherworldly shimmer to the high points of the cheekbones, suggesting a connection to something cosmic.

  • Melinda Cortez (Hair) crafted classic, polished 1950s victory rolls and a structured wave, but allowed a few intentionally loose strands—a symbolic unraveling of “normalcy” that hinted at a wilder nature bubbling beneath the composure.

Every choice, from the tilt of the head to the deep shadow on the cheek, was a deliberate step away from the expected, and a commitment to the cinematic, story-driven potential of the theme.

The Technical Magic: From Creative Brief to Capture

The courage to be unconventional begins with the discipline of a meticulous plan. Before a single shutter click, our team formalized the concept into a specific creative brief. We intentionally avoided modern fashion editorial references, instead grounding our aesthetic in film noir and the mid-century fashion illustrations of the 1950s.

Our color palette was anchored in deep jewel tones—rich emeralds, ruby reds, and smoky greys—to enhance the feeling of hidden luxury and cinematic drama. The props were minimal but symbolic: an antique vanity mirror reflecting a shadowy presence, and a single glass of deep red liquid, hinting at elixirs or mischief.

On the technical side, Mark Peery utilized a specific, professional setup to maximize the atmosphere and achieve a crisp, dramatic look:

 

Digital tech station showing a professional camera tethered to a laptop, displaying a high-resolution portrait of a woman in a green hat.

The Gear and Settings

 Camera: Canon 5D (a workhorse known for its excellent color depth).

  • Lens: Canon 70-200mm f/2.8. This allowed Mark to shoot at a comfortable distance, compressing the background and creating that classic, flattering, high-end editorial look.

  • Camera Settings: To capture the subtle light variation and ensure crisp focus, the settings were locked in at:

    • ISO: 100 (for maximum image clarity and minimal noise).

    • Shutter Speed: $1/160$th of a second (to perfectly sync with the strobes).

    • Aperture: $f/5.6$ (providing enough depth of field to keep all facial features sharp while isolating the subject from the background).

 

The Lighting Array 

The “mischievous light” and high-glamour look were achieved using a powerful blend of strobe lights: Paul C. Buff Einsteins and Profoto D2s. The key was the strategic use of modifiers:

  1. Key Light: A 3-foot Octabank likely served as the main, soft, and slightly directional key light, giving the look a sophisticated quality.

  2. Fill/Background Light: A 2×3 Chimera Softbox or a 1×3 Chimera Strip may have been used to fill in shadows or selectively highlight the background elements, enhancing the mystery.

  3. Catchlight/Glow: The Ring Light would have been used sparingly to provide a unique, centralized catchlight in Alex Follas’s eyes and to create a subtle, ethereal glow—perfectly tying into the “magic” theme.

This level of detailed planning ensures that the courage we talk about isn’t just a vague idea; it’s translated into every concrete, expert decision on the set.

Full-body portrait of a model wearing a deep green velvet witch costume and a sheer flowing cape against a neutral gray background.

Three Takeaways for Fearless Creators

The success of the “Practical Magic” shoot wasn’t luck; it was a series of courageous decisions. If you’re looking to infuse your own work with a similar spirit of the unconventional, here are three actionable principles we live by at REV Studios:

 

1. Reject the Algorithmic Echo Chamber

The easiest path is to recreate what’s currently trending in your feed. The most courageous path is to ignore it. Dedicate your research time to historical archives, fine art, and cinema that predate social media. Our 1950s concept came from challenging ourselves to look past what’s popular right now and instead draw inspiration from a timeless era where glamour was structured and secrets were stylish.

 

2. Let the Narrative Dictate the Technique

Don’t choose your lens or your lighting style until you have a clear answer to this question: What story is this photo telling? We knew our story was about “Hidden Mischief,” so our lighting had to be dramatic and shadowy, and our lens had to be intimate. When your narrative guides your technique, you avoid generic setups and are forced to make courageous technical choices that serve the art.

 

3. Partner with Purpose

Your team will either pull you toward the comfortable “normal” or push you toward the extraordinary. Mark, Natalie, Lowell, and Melinda were collaborators who fully bought into the non-conformist vision. Be intentional about surrounding yourself with artists who share your commitment to fearless work and whose unique talents force you to elevate your own game.

 

REV Studios: A Home for the Daring

The core message of this shoot—the courageous choice to be different—is the very philosophy upon which REV Studios was built.

We understand that you can’t create truly groundbreaking work in a sterile, indifferent environment. You need a space that empowers and inspires. REV Studios is designed to be a sanctuary for the unconventional, offering:

  • Flexible Space: Unlike fixed-set studios, our spaces can be quickly transformed to host concepts like our 1950s witch, giving you the freedom to build your dream set from the ground up.

  • Top-Tier Equipment: We provide the lighting and gear necessary to execute complex vision, ensuring that technical limitations never compromise your creative audacity.

  • A Creative Community: We foster an environment that encourages collaborative, high-concept projects. We believe the best work happens when talented individuals, like the team on this shoot, can pool their courage and vision.

We didn’t build REV Studios to serve the “normal” shoot; we built it for the projects that need courage, imagination, and a little bit of magic.

Ready to unleash your own creative courage and defy expectations?