Set Design in Photography: A BTS Look at Creating Conceptual Portraits
Walk into most photography studios, and you'll see standard backdrops and predictable setups. But some photographers are completely rewriting the rules – and this husband-and-wife team is leading the charge.
Meet Jada and David, a dynamic couple who combine set design and photography to create conceptual portraits that explore deep emotional landscapes. David dreams up and constructs the sets, turning simple materials into surreal environments, while Jada brings them to life through her lens.
In this video, they walk us through their process of constructing immersive sets, playing with emotions, and using narrative storytelling to bring their visions to life.
Creative Set Design
Every photoshoot starts with a fresh concept. For this particular scene, David carefully builds the set with three Hollywood flats – plywood walls that become the foundation of their creative vision. These flats are like giant LEGO pieces, easily rearranged and reused for multiple shoots.
He creates a U-shaped set with a single wooden beam raised 32 inches off the ground – a deliberate choice that transforms the entire photographic experience.
"I like to make up a story for all of our photo shoots," Jada explains. For today's concept, they're exploring the complex relationship between trust and fear.
So, the elevated beam isn't just a prop; the "jungle gym effect" was carefully designed to give the model something to interact with, to spark movement and create physical and emotional tension.
"We wanted to create some sensation of fear."
Lighting the Scene
Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood for Jada and David’s shoots. To complement this set design, they wanted to create a soft, angelic feel. To do that, David uses an LED light panel, the Nanlite PavoSlim 60 C with a grid to focus the light straight down onto the subject.
This setup doesn't just light the model – it also casts beautiful gradients on the walls, creating a dramatic effect.
But the lighting doesn't stop there. To add some fill and control the light, they use V-Flats. The white side acts as a bounce to soften the light, while the black side relies on negative fill to help add depth and shadows. It’s these little touches that make a huge difference in the final result, allowing the lighting to be both moody and ethereal at the same time.
More Than Just a Background
Jada and David's process goes beyond traditional photography. Each set is unique, each shoot a new opportunity to tell a story.
The result? Portraits that are more than images – they're visual experiments in human emotion and connection. Check out some of the final images – epic!
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Learn from Jada & David directly
Jada + David's Conceptual Photoshoot Guide helps spark creativity when you’re stuck or frustrated, guiding you step-by-step from idea to execution. Inside is their process for conceptualizing shoots, styling sets, and bringing together lighting, color, and posing to create photos and tell stories that resonate.
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