Floating Heads Portraits are Forever (And Not Just for the Holidays)

Barbee
Jun 25
3 min read

Let’s talk about a very specific, very amazing photographic tradition: the 1980s floating heads style portraits.

You know the look — one main photo of you looking fabulous, and then, floating dramatically above or beside, another version of your face. Or your partner’s. Or your dog’s. Or your cat’s. Or all of the above.

This glorious style was born in the 80s, became legend, and has now been lovingly resurrected with a wink and a lot of personality. And spoiler alert: I’m here for all of it.

The Floating Head Holiday Card That Started It All

About six or seven years ago, I was approached through a Facebook group by a couple named Morgan and Jon. They wanted to create a floating head holiday card featuring themselves and their cats and dogs. Obviously, I jumped at the chance. Since that first portraits, I worked with them a few times creating more silly 1980's style floating heads portraits!

I loaded up my portable lighting gear, backdrop, and props, and drove off in the trusty Subi to meet them. Morgan had bought the most amazing tiny sweaters and hats for their cats.

Of course, the cats weren’t quite as thrilled with their outfits, so we had a short but productive 30ish minute shoot window. But we made it work — and it was pure magic.

And Then It Snowballed…

Morgan posted their floating head masterpiece online, and things kind of… spiraled. In the best possible way.

Suddenly, people were messaging me: “Can we do a floating head shoot?” “Is this a thing you offer?” “Can our dog be in it too?”The answer to all of those questions: YES.

Flash forward to a few weeks ago when I soon I was photographing Mary Kate and Charles (and Jude the dog). These two BROUGHT IT with attitude, outfits, and so much humor. I loved how INTO these shoots people are!

Why I Love These Shoots

There’s something incredibly freeing about letting go of “perfect” and leaning into something just plain fun. These portraits are weird. They're silly. They’re theatrical and dramatic and retro and fabulous. And I love every second of them.

They’re also surprisingly technical! Matching lighting, creating a believable “float,” working with squirmy pets in holiday sweaters — it’s a delightful creative puzzle. Plus all the in depth photoshop work that goes into the shoot afterwards. My clients always show up ready to laugh and embrace the absurdity, and that makes it even better.

Not Just for Christmas (and all the other holidays)

Here’s the deal: you don’t need it to be the holidays to do a floating head shoot.

These can be for birthdays (like Mary Kate's surprise present for Charles on his birthday), anniversaries, engagements, dog birthdays, surprise parties, or just because it’s Wednesday and you’re in the mood for something ridiculous.

Floating heads are not bound by season or reason.

They are timeless.

They are forever.

And if you ask me, life’s already pretty weird — we might as well make it a little more fun on purpose (especially now!)

Want Your Own?

If you’re ready to embrace the strange, bring your whole self (and maybe your whole family or your pets or your coworkers) and let’s make floating head magic.

I’ll bring the lights, the vision, and the Photoshop. You bring your best dramatic stare. Your ridiculous outfits. Harness your 1980's and 1990's vibes and LET'S GO FOR IT!

Shoot me a message here to book a session or ask all your floating-head questions.