Featured Photos
This photograph was taken at Valdirose in Florence, Tuscany, during my very second retreat.It’s place that will always hold a special place in my heart. Valdirose felt like stepping into a dream, with its rustic charm, elegant simplicity, and the kind of light that makes you pause and breathe it all in. What inspired me to take this particular shot was exactly that, the way the golden light touched the walls, the textures, the dried florals on the shelf. It felt like autumn had quietly slipped into the room. Autumn, though I’ve never experienced it in Dubai, has always felt deeply symbolic to me. I imagine it as a warm hug, an embrace that speaks of closure, yet whispers of new beginnings.
It feels like a season of renewal, where old layers fall away, making space for fresh thoughts, new life, and of course, the cozy rituals of autumn bakes paired with coffee.
Creatively, autumn aesthetics and colors inspire me the most. They challenge me to create moods I’ve never actually witnessed, pushing me to think beyond my environment. In many ways, autumn for me is not just a season, it’s a metaphor. An invitation to reset, to create slowly and meaningfully, and to let beauty emerge in unexpected places.
Sourdough
Styling Choices
The styling is deliberately minimal and earthy: a large rustic sourdough loaf with delicate scoring (leaf motifs that connect visually to autumn), a neutral-toned fabric, and a matte ceramic mug. The muted clothing tones of the subject blend seamlessly with the scene, letting the bread and light take center stage. The dark backdrop adds depth and intimacy, drawing all attention to the subject and the handmade loaf.
Lighting Setup
This is natural light, from a single window source on the left side, creating that soft yet directional illumination. The light falls gently across the subject’s face, hair and the bread, highlighting texture and form while leaving the background in shadow for a moody,
painterly effect. I did not use any artificial fill, keeping the shadows rich and authentic.
Gear Used
I used my Canon R5 Mirrorless camera and my favorite 85mm prime lens, ideal for portraits and food together because of the shallow depth of field and the way it beautifully isolates the subject. I used a tripod to stabilize and fine-tune the framing.
Challenges & Creative Solutions
The challenge here was balancing the subject and the bread equally as focal points without one overpowering the other. Using side light and careful posing created harmony. Soft light sculpted the bread’s detail while gently illuminating the subject’s contemplative profile. The solution was restraint: keeping the frame uncluttered so the story
feels calm, timeless and intentional.
Styling Choices The The setup reflects autumn beautifully – mini pumpkins, dried leaves and a rustic wooden cake stand anchor the scene in the season. Beeswax candles add height and warmth, while the earthy fabric and dark backdrop create contrast and keep the focus on the cake. The choice of a brown dress complements the palette and subtly ties the human presence to the seasonal tones.
Challenges & Creative Solutions The biggest challenge was balancing the artificial light with the candle flames so they felt authentic rather than overpowered. Careful control of light intensity and angle preserved the candle glow while still illuminating the food. The scene also required restraint – keeping props minimal but meaningful, so the autumn story was told without feeling cluttered.
Lighting Setup The scene was lit with a single key light positioned to the left at 45 degrees, angled slightly downward to highlight the cake’s texture and create those moody, dramatic shadows. The candles themselves also added small, natural points of glow, reinforcing the autumnal, intimate atmosphere.
Gear Used This shot was captured using the Canon R5 Mirrorless camera paired with a prime lens (85mm). It’s my favorite lens and is perfect for food photography to create that shallow depth of field and rich detail. A sturdy tripod is key for maintaining stability in low-light conditions. Lighting was artificial, the Godox AD600 Pro strobe, softened with a modifier to mimic warm, natural candlelight.
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SEEMA ROSE
DUBAI