The Set Up: Creating dream-like portraits with the Nikon Z5II and Rafaelle Lorgeril

Within this dreamlike environment, model Issa moves between two contrasting looks, first a modern, steampunk-tinged take on Dickensian street styling, then a softer, doll-like aesthetic defined by an oversized white silk bow and billowing top. “I’m a photographer who loves working outdoors, so the studio is always a challenge for me,” says Rafaelle. “So finding creative solutions is essential for making my ideas come to life. And when you combine this with the styling, it also gives the model a sense of character.”

Whether working in the studio or outdoors, the visual artist says that first and foremost she needs a camera that can keep up with her pace. “I am very dynamic, and the weight of my gear is a crucial factor for me – it should never slow down my creative impulses,” she says. “The more compact and lighter it is, the better. It needs to allow me to remain fully immersed in the creative process, and the Nikon Z5II does that. I really enjoy working with it because it’s both ergonomic and lightweight, while still offering excellent performance.”

Like many photographers, Rafaelle uses the rear screen to compose images, so she takes full advantage of the Nikon Z5II’s fully articulated touchscreen. “It allows me to stay aware of what’s happening around the scene while directly comparing it with what the camera is capturing,” she explains. “I feel like I’m holding both realities in parallel, which gives me better control over the final image. When my eye is in the viewfinder, I feel too disconnected from the outside world.”

Switching between the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S for closeups and wider compositions, and the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S for its creamy bokeh, Rafaelle remains highly attuned to the role light plays in shaping her images. “When it comes to lighting, I pay close attention to the positioning of my subject,” she says. “Where is the light coming from and how should it be placed to reveal what I want to express? It’s all about observation and composition.”

That sensitivity to light and composition also feeds directly into how Rafaelle uses colour to shape mood, with this session seeing her lean into cooler tones. “As with my painting, I don’t hesitate to experiment with tones that go beyond realism in order to elevate everyday scenes,” she explains. “I used to work more with warmer tones, but I’ve naturally shifted towards other colour palettes over time. I really enjoy creating my own Nikon Imaging Cloud recipes because they allow me to extend my artistic intention directly into the image-making process. Rather than seeing colour and rendering as something that only happens in post-production, these recipes help me establish a visual atmosphere from the very beginning. The recipes I’ve developed play with muted contrasts, subtle desaturation and cooler tonalities, while preserving softness in skin tones. They create a slightly suspended, almost timeless feeling, sitting somewhere between realism and imagination. Recipes are a great way of better understanding colour and light, and I’d encourage any photographer to give them a try.”

Beyond technique and tools, Rafaelle is equally generous when it comes to sharing her creative philosophy. As a Nikon Creator, she often returns to what she calls the four Ps: practice, patience, personality and passion. “No matter the field, you need to understand the fundamentals before deconstructing them to experiment, even abstract painters begin with classical training,” she says. “Once technique is mastered, you can go anywhere. Patience is just as important. A style doesn’t develop overnight – it grows over time and feeds on everything we live, hear and observe. Preserving your personality is essential when developing an artistic voice. Art is intimate, it’s an inner sensation you want to express outwardly, not a response to a brief. And, finally, passion is the element that binds everything together, guided by one thing: the heart.”