Reel to Real: Wicked
This latest Reel to Real photoshoot is inspired by Jon Chu's highly anticipated adaptation of Wicked. With Carrie as the radiant Galinda and Amelia as the fierce Elphaba, this shoot was about capturing their unforgettable friendship in a cinematic way. Just like in Chu's adaptation, we explored the contrasts between light and dark, friendship and rivalry, and how two completely different people can come together in a world full of magic.
Why Wicked?
Jon Chu’s adaptation of Wicked is set to bring a fresh perspective to this iconic story, and I wanted to reflect that in this photoshoot. The musical has always been about finding your own path, rejecting labels, and embracing who you truly are. Galinda and Elphaba’s journey, from rivalry to deep friendship, is the heart of the story. I wanted to show how these two characters complement each other—Galinda’s bubbly lightness versus Elphaba’s strength and intensity. Their contrasting personalities are what make their bond so special, and I hoped to highlight that through my photography.
Finding Oz
For this photoshoot, I wanted to find a location that felt like it could be part of the Wicked world—where magic and wonder could be discovered at any moment. Here’s how I approached it:
Bok Tower Gardens was the perfect setting to bring Wicked to life. The soaring architecture and lush greenery felt like the gateway to Oz itself. Just like Dorothy’s journey to the Land of Oz, the location offered a sense of adventure, mystery, and magic. The towering structures reminded me of the grandiosity of the Emerald City, while the winding paths and serene landscapes mirrored the journey of self-discovery that both Galinda and Elphaba go through. It was a space that could both ground the characters and elevate them into a fantastical world. The actual Bok Tower has blue monkeys at the top, echoing the Flying Monkeys from Wicked. This subtle detail felt like a perfect nod to the magical creatures of Oz, tying the location even more directly to the world of Wicked and adding an extra layer of whimsy and depth to our shoot.
Lighting was a key element in differentiating the two characters of Galinda and Elphaba. With Elphaba, I wanted to focus on shadows, and the use of strobes, where as for Galinda, I used soft, natural light to create a bright, airy atmosphere that complemented her bubbly personality. This helped to establish a sense of optimism and warmth. I wanted to get that Golden Hour look, but unfortunately do to cloud coverage I was not able to get that.
Post-production was where we really had to lean into the Wicked magic—since we didn’t get the perfect golden hour we were hoping for, I added a lot of sun flares and glows to give the photos that dreamy, ethereal quality. It’s like Photoshop's version of a "re-do" button. For Amelia’s green skin, I decided it would be quicker (and a lot less messy) to just use masks in Lightroom and adjust the hue and saturation. I saved a whole lot of time on green paint that way.
For the yellow brick road, I used the same trick—just took a brown path and made it yellow. No wizardry needed, just some simple adjustments. I did think about using Adobe’s generative AI to speed things up, but it seemed to have its own ideas—like giving Carrie a third foot. That’s the kind of Oz magic I wasn’t looking for, so I stuck to the manual edits.
BTS Moments
Behind the Curtain of Oz:
Behind the scenes, it was a mix of magic and chaos—just like Oz itself. Carrie and Amelia were absolute troopers, especially when it came to dealing with the unpredictable weather. We were battling some cloudy skies and fluctuating light, but it only added to the mood and gave us some dramatic shots that wouldn’t have been possible with perfect sunshine.
One of the highlights was watching Carrie and Amelia really get into character. Carrie, with her natural charm, embodied Galinda’s bubbly energy perfectly, while Amelia’s more intense Elphaba brought an edge to every shot. Their chemistry was exactly what I was hoping for, and it really made the shoot come to life.
There was also a lot of running around—adjusting lighting, finding the right angles, and chasing the best light. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. And a special shout-out to Valentino (@_ForFilmSake), who joined in to shoot some film alongside me. His film shots added a raw, vintage quality that really helped balance out the polished digital shots.
Final Thoughts –
From Oz, With Love:
Capturing the essence of Wicked in this photoshoot was an incredibly rewarding experience. From the planning to the execution, it was a chance to not only pay homage to this iconic story but also to push my creativity in new ways. The contrast between Galinda and Elphaba, both in their personalities and in the way we approached the shoot, really brought the Wicked world to life through the lens.
One of my favorite parts of this shoot was seeing Carrie and Amelia fully immerse themselves in their characters. Their chemistry and dedication made all the difference, and it felt like the images practically created themselves. It was truly a team effort—Valentino’s film contributions brought a unique texture to the shoot, and the BTS moments were just as memorable as the final photos.
Ultimately, this shoot was all about storytelling. It was about capturing those pivotal moments of light and shadow, not just in the photos, but in the characters’ journey. It’s one thing to bring a concept to life on paper, but when it all comes together in front of the camera, it’s pure magic.
Be sure to check out the full video and the photo carousel to see how the final images turned out—there’s a lot of fun, behind-the-scenes magic waiting for you!
Full Gallery
