Bye bye curated perfection, say hello to the newest liberating indoor flash photography trend we are calling Disco Bestie (DB). Images that have the feeling of being shot paparazzi-style by your bestie.
I'm traditionally slow to follow a trend and skeptically assume by the time I'm on board, it will have already passed by anyway. Citing the recent glazed donut trend, the Little Miss trend, and ballet flats coming back (again!). Nope, nope and no-thank-you.
This wasn't always the case but trust me — after years of blind trend following which included a tragic asymmetrical haircut in junior high, a perm in elementary school, and some green jeans I'd rather forget (no you can't see pictures), I've learned to wait before jumping in. Which leads me to the juicy goodies I have below for you. The Best New Photography Trend for Everyone. (Yes, even you).
While there is truly nothing wrong with jumping on a trend you love (hello, Disco Bestie — we love you) consider this your permission slip to pick and choose what truly tugs at your heart strings and sends undeniable goosebumps down your left leg (just me?).
The Editorial Photography Trend You'll love
Finally, bye bye curated perfection, say hello to the newest liberating photography trend we are calling Disco Bestie (DB). Images that have the feeling of being shot paparazzi-style by your bestie after she's had a cocktail or two, and is now intent on shooting your fabulous self.
Finally, bye bye curated perfection, say hello to the newest liberating flash photography trend...
We are loving the newest flash photography trend that nobody is talking about. Despite hours spent scouring Substack articles and far-flung indie Euro mags (this has European vibes all over it) for the new photo realism trend popping up all over the internet, we kept coming up empty handed. Always happy to do the honors, we are dubbing it Disco Bestie and here's why we love it.
It's very democratic. By this, we mean that it is relatively easy for anyone to achieve the look with their smart phone and regular fluorescent (or other lighting).
First, it's very democratic. By this, we mean that it is relatively easy for anyone to achieve the look with their smart phone and regular fluorescent (or other lighting). You don't need studio lights or even an aesthetic backdrop because anything goes.
Second, it is the antidote to the Instagrammable white wall trend that has dominated all social media for the last three years.
Finally, it's very in the moment photo realism. Capturing the subject without contrived poses and backgrounds. It allows the person in front of the camera to just be — and we love that.
Here's how to spot the indoor flash photography trend, Disco Bestie in your world.
1. IDGAF approach to lighting, exposure, focus, and shadow. In fact, the harsher the lighting, the better to achieve that overexposed just-tracked-down-by-the-paparazzi look. If you are looking to recreate the look on your own just make sure the light is at high noon, directly in front of you and slightly overhead. You'll know you've hit it just right when the shadow behind you is minimal or zero.
DB doesn't try to hide the background with crops and photoshop. It embraces what is there and leaves you feeling slightly off-kilter in the process.
2. Tilt & crop. DB doesn't try to hide the background with crops and photoshop. It embraces what is there and leaves you feeling slightly off-kilter in the process. Backdrops are too small, the perspective is slightly too high and tilted. Resist all urges to straighten the lines in your photo. Remember the name is Disco Bestie not Disco Annie Leibovitz.
3. A sense of humor. This is your chance to move past perfection and truly be in the moment. You cannot make a mistake here and there is no wrong way to capture a DB image so let your inner freak out and have some fun!
Will you try your hand at the DB look in your images? Tag us if you do. Here’s ours.
Your next steps
We love a good DIY mood board. To help you get started, we are sharing our Studio template with you. Simply click below to access the mood board template and guide. Or let us handle it for you. We put all of our creativity catalyst skills strategy, mood board, and photography skills to use in our popular Editorial Photoshoot Sessions.
As always, thank you for your comments, thoughts and love. Go behind the scenes of a virtual photoshoot here.