Okay, so I’ve been obsessed with Melanie Martinez’s “K-12” film and its whole aesthetic. I mean, the visuals are just chef’s kiss. So, I decided to try and recreate that dreamy, pastel, slightly creepy vibe in my own photos. Here’s how it went down:
The Planning Stage
First, I spent, like, a whole afternoon just rewatching “K-12” and pausing every few seconds to take screenshots. I needed to really get the essence of it, you know? I noticed a few key things:
- Pastel Color Palette: Lots of pinks, blues, yellows, and purples, but all kinda muted and soft.
- Vintage Vibes: Think old-school classrooms, antique furniture, and retro clothing.
- Symmetry & Repetition: A lot of the shots are very symmetrical and have repeating patterns.
- That “Slightly Off” Feeling: There’s always something a little bit unsettling, like a creepy doll or an unusual expression.
Gathering Supplies
Next up, I raided my closet and hit up some thrift stores. I was on the hunt for anything that fit the aesthetic. Found an amazing vintage pink dress, some old school books and a creepy old teddy bear,I scored!
Setting the Scene
I used some vintage toy, and that definitely helped create the childish and unsettling feeling.
The Shoot Itself
This was the fun part! I used my phone camara, and I mostly shot indoors with natural light from a big window.I played around with different poses. Tried to copy some of the expressions from the film – you know, that wide-eyed, slightly vacant stare.
Editing Magic
Okay, here’s where the real transformation happened. I used a photo editing app on my phone. These were my go-to tweaks:
- Lowered the Contrast: This gives it that soft, hazy look.
- Increased the Saturation (Slightly): Just to make the pastel colors pop a little.
- Added a Pink/Purple Tint: Messed around with the color balance until I got that signature Melanie Martinez hue.
- Added a Vignette: This darkens the edges of the photo and draws attention to the center.
- Grain, grain,grain:If the picture is too clean,I will add some grain to make them have vintage vibes.
It took some experimenting, but I eventually got a look I was happy with. It’s not exactly the same as the film – I’m no professional, after all – but it definitely captures that same dreamy, pastel, slightly unsettling vibe.
It was a super fun project, and I’m already planning my next Melanie Martinez-inspired shoot. Maybe I’ll try to recreate a specific scene next time… or even make my own little short film! Stay tuned!
