Stop Overthinking Your Background! Charli XCX's Secret to Moody Portraits

There's been a lot of hubbub online surrounding the premiere of Wuthering Heights, but Charli XCX's stunning foliage photoshoot has to have been one of my favorites in the media.

She looks beautiful surrounded by greenery, not overpowering the nature but rather allowing its natural beauty to perfectly compliment her own.

After being unable to get the gorgeous shots out of my head I talked to Siobhan Shaw of Growing to Give to better understand why foliage makes such a beautiful backdrop for photography and how someone could go about capturing some lovely photos for themselves. It's really simple - you just have to strike the right balance between allowing the foliage backdrop to shine and incorporating yourself into the frame.

Why do plants work so well in photography?

There's a seemingly infinite amount of plants out there to capture in photos, making them an ideal source of inspiration. Whether you're laying down in a field of flowers, outstretching your arms in a forest of ancient trees, or climbing into a hedge like Charli XCX to become immersed within greenery, there's bound to be something out there that compliments your outfit or vision.

Siobhan also explained to me how inviting foliage in photos is a genius way to instantly add dimension, as well as to soften any "unnatural" elements present within the picture.

"Plants work so well in photography because they soften everything," says Siobhan. "Foliage absorbs light instead of bouncing it harshly, which makes skin tones and textures feel more natural.

"Greenery also creates depth without effort. Even the simplest image gains foreground, middle ground, and background when plants are involved. When a person is centered within that, the plants frame them instead of competing with them."

How can I replicate the photos for myself?

If you're hoping to perfectly replicate Charli's shoot, your best bet is to drive to a wooded area and search for a naturally formed archway between some foliage. In Charli's photos an arched branch creates a perfect pocket for her to pose in, framing her without any artificial intervention. This helps feed into the photo's natural look.

It's also important to consider what is behind you in the photo, not just what's going to be immediately surrounding you. In Charli's snaps, she's surrounded by foliage but more foliage is behind her. This helps to add dimension as well as consistency to the shot's color palette.

Above all though, as Siobhan notes, "find foliage you like" and work with it. Perhaps you're hoping to make a meaningful plant in your parents' yard into something special, or every time you go for a walk you find yourself admiring a pretty shrub. Why not use that? If it's a bit all, stand on a step ladder to better immerse yourself among the leaves and branches?

As for taking the photos themselves, you can ask a friend or family member to help out or set up your phone or camera with a timer.

Siobhan advises: "I often take a wide shot first, then zoom in or physically move closer. Don’t overthink it. Let the plants do the work. Leafy greens, beans, carrots, and anything with repetition or structure photograph beautifully too, so don't rule out veg! Textures and patterns matter more than perfection so take a bunch of pictures and then see what you've got."

How can I elevate my photoshoot?

There are endless options to elevate a foliage photoshoot, though many people prefer to keep things natural.

You could add tinted lenses over your camera to alter the hue of your snaps, a smoke machine to add fog to the scenery, or you could string some lights through the foliage and experiment with taking photos during different times of the day.

Here are some products to help you explore your options. Have fun!