Light Painting

It's back and better than ever!

During a Light Painting Session, every shape you strike becomes a canvas. As you hold your pose, our team literally paints with light around you—creating electric ribbons, auroras, starbursts, or fiery trails that amplify your movement.

Each image takes minutes to build in real time, in total darkness. No AI. No overlays. The magic happens in camera.

This is aerial photography for the bold—the kind you frame, showcase, and brag about.

apparatus

Here are our available apparatuses for the shoot. You are also welcome to bring your own apparatus.

• Lyra (taped)
• Silks (black, teal, mint/aqua, or red)
• Rope (green to teal ombre)
• Hammock (black, teal, mint/aqua)
• Flying Pole (black)
• Loops (teal)

Color

Here are a few color options from past shoots. In order: Red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, purple, pink, fire ombre, aurora ombre, unicorn ombre, three color block (fully customizable to any three colors), and rainbow block. Variations can be accommodated, please reach out with specific requests. Black, grey, and brown are unavailable.

Poses

This shoot will likely differ from any aerial photoshoot you’ve experienced. The light trails are created through long-exposure photography. This means each photograph takes roughly 10 seconds to take versus a quick snap. Because of this prepare poses you can sustain for long periods of time (more than your typical four counts). The more still the better the result.

Does this mean you have to hold your breath and not move a muscle? Absolutely not! This is aerial arts we’re talking about. I won’t bore you with the science behind it, but here at Red Fox Photo we know the secret sauce to keeping you sharp and in focus. Any movement will result in a black silhouette within the light trail or overlapping within the trails (which looks pretty cool in its own sense).

Skills, moves, tricks, poses, whatever you call them, they're not all made equal when it comes to still photography. Here are a few questions to ask yourself concerning your move set.

• Can I hold this skill for 10 seconds or longer?
• Is this a familiar skill I've executed well numerous times?
• Have I recorded myself in this skill and find it flattering on me when I play it back and pause?
• Will this skill work with and flatter the costume I'm wearing? (*cough* going upside down in skirts *cough* You can read all about that here.)
• Am I demonstrating clean lines in this skill?
• Is this skill at least one level below my current training level?
• Is this pose time efficient to get in and out of?
• Is my face relaxed in this skill (no popping forehead vein)? Is the fear behind my eyes concealed?

If your answer to any of these was "no", consider scrapping it. I see it over and over again: an aerialist spends so much of their shoot time attempting to execute a new or complex skill. They get their proofs back and end up wishing they invested more time into simple wraps where they could have rested and demonstrated clean lines.

Even the most experienced aerialists can forget a skill they prepared once they get in the air. This is why I highly recommend making a physical list of your favorite moves for a friend to read off if needed.

What to wear

If there is one thing I hope you take away from this section it is that you test run your costume in an open gym. I've seen far more of my aerialist friends than I've ever wanted to over the years due to outfits not being "upside down proof". If I can't post it on Instagram, I won't be photographing it. If you'd like further clarification on what I mean by that feel free to reach out before the shoot.

I also highly recommend bringing a backup outfit. Let's face it, aerial arts are rough on articles of clothing. If something rips or tears the day of, you'll be happy to have another option packed.

As for colors, think black, bright, or bold. This is one of the very few shoots where I'll steer you away from earth tones and some typically fine neutrals. White specifically will cause a an unintentional ghosting effect. Anything that can be described as muted may pair poorly with the electric lighting.