How I got the Photo: How I Got the Shot: Silver Siren
How I Got the Shot: Silver Siren with Tayla
Sometimes the simplest setups create the most striking results. This image of Tayla came together with just two Neewer Q6 studio strobes, a mirror, and a large piece of paper full of holes — yes, really!
The inspiration came from the iconic Hedy Lamarr and those dazzling Hollywood Silver Sirens of the 1940s. I wanted to capture that same timeless glamour — bold lighting, soft curves, and a hint of celestial mystery. The silver star headpiece was my modern nod to that golden era. You can actually see my hilarious attempt at making my own Hedy-inspired headpiece over on my YouTube channel (spoiler: it didn’t go quite as planned!), along with a full behind-the-scenes look at this shoot.
Using the Q6 strobes, I placed one directly behind Tayla to create that stunning rim light and subtle starburst through her hair. The second Q6, fitted with a softbox, was angled slightly from the front to sculpt her face and arms while preserving those moody shadows.
The real magic, though, came from a large sheet of paper I’d punched full of holes. When I fired the backlight through it, the light scattered into tiny glowing orbs, creating the illusion of distant stars. Combined with Tayla’s reflection in the mirror, it produced a dreamy, cinematic effect that felt both nostalgic and otherworldly.
Shot in black and white to focus on tone, form, and light, this setup proves that creativity often comes from experimentation — and a willingness to embrace happy accidents.
Paper Backdrop without the model
Then, to push things even further, we played around with a few fractal prisms for some cool, funky vibes — multiple reflections, streaks of light, and fragmented patterns that added a surreal, dreamy quality to the final images. It gave the portraits a sense of movement and magic that echoed the ethereal spirit of those vintage Hollywood icons.
My Setup
Camera: Sony A7R5 mirrorless
Lens: Tamron 29-75mm F/2.8
Settings: ISO200, f/2.8, 1/125 sec
Lighting: 2 × Neewer Q6 strobes (one with softbox, one bare), Power 1/128 and 1/1
Modifier: DIY paper “star filter” background
Reflective surface: Vintage framed mirror
Model: Tayla (@vampyk1tten)
Final Thoughts
Tip: If you want to try this yourself, don’t overthink it. Punch some holes in a sheet of paper, position a strobe behind it, and play with distance and angle until you get that perfect scatter of light. Sometimes the most creative tools are the ones you make yourself.
