Step 1: Gathering References
Get a nice, well-lit reference photo of the child to start. Make sure the photograph accurately depicts their face and body proportions before creating anything. To truly preserve, use this reference:
- Age-appropriate expressions and facial traits
- Natural skin tone and complexion
- The original hairdo, colour and texture of the hair
- Age-appropriate body proportions
Step 2: Style Guidance
Put on a well-chosen 1980s-inspired attire for the child:
- A large, vintage-wash denim jacket with gently curled sleeves and a light to medium wash
- Beneath a relaxed-fitting pair of cuffed denim is a bright, multicoloured graphic T-shirt.
- Complementary colour scheme for vintage high-top sneakers
Step 3: Backdrop and Set
Set the photo on a studio backdrop with pastel colours that include:
- Vibrant geometric designs in lavender, teal, or light pink, such as triangles, zigzags, or grid patterns
- Illustrated cassette themes or strewn cassette tape props
- The scene's boundaries are subtly framed by neon light accents (pink, cyan, or purple glow).
Step 4: Colour grading and lighting
To replicate real 1980s studio portraits, utilize soft, diffused flash photography lighting with a warm-to-cool colour balance, soft highlights, and few harsh shadows. Finish with a period-appropriate colour grade that includes warm skin tones, soft grain or film-like textures, and somewhat faded blacks.







