Mastering creative miniature photography: tips and techniques
Miniature photography blends storytelling, scale, and illusion to create entire worlds from the smallest of scenes. Whether you're photographing toys outdoors or designing detailed table-top dioramas, this guide is packed with expert tips and miniature photography ideas to help sharpen your creative process.
We spoke with seven photographers who specialize in this format, David Gilliver, Derrick Lin, Grace Weston, Shelly Corbett, Erin Sullivan, Jason Michael, and Allan Teger. Here they share their go-to gear, lighting setups, composition tips, and behind-the-scenes insight into how they bring tiny narratives to life.
What you need to get started in miniature photography
There’s no single gear setup that works for every photographer, but having the right tools can make a big difference when working at a small scale. Many of the artists featured in this guide use macro lenses to capture sharp details in their scenes.
David Gilliver, who wrote A Step-by-Step Guide to Miniature Worlds, says, “I would be lost without my 100mm lens. It is by far the most important piece of kit I own for making this kind of work.”
Some photographers take a more stylized approach. Shelly Corbett, for example, uses a Lensbaby art lens to create soft-focus effects and dreamy bokeh that enhance the magic of her miniature photography.
Lighting
Lighting is essential in miniature photography because it creates depth, mood, and realism in your scenes. Different photographers have different preferences, depending on the atmosphere they want to achieve.
Erin Sullivan, also known as Erin Outdoors, prefers using natural sunlight to keep her setups feeling organic.
Grace Weston takes a more controlled approach by using strobe lights with grids and snoots to allow her to direct light exactly as she wants it.
Jason Michael uses continuous LED lights to maintain consistency across his scenes. David Gilliver prefers a more hands-on method and often lights his tableaux using torches for added control. Derrick Lin creates his atmospheric setups using a mix of natural light, desk lamps, and flashlights.
Accessories and extras
Small props demand careful handling, and having the right accessories can make a shoot more manageable and precise. A tripod is a great starting point.
“A tripod makes it much easier to level and frame your scene,” says Grace Weston, who specializes in miniature staged narrative photography.
She also keeps several small tools on hand, including “tweezers, chopsticks, a level, dental tools, small mirrors, tacky wax, and looped tape.”
That tape is especially handy for keeping scenes tidy. “Enlarged flaws or details that are too far out of scale will distract, pulling the viewer out of the illusion,” Grace explains. “Every little flaw, rough edge, or speck of lint is going to show up — things you might not even notice with the naked eye.”
The miniatures!
Miniatures are the heart of every setup. Whether you're using toys, figurines, or handcrafted models, they bring your scene to life. For beginners, it’s smart to start with something budget-friendly.
“Start out by using cheaper figurines,” says David Gilliver. “Buying detailed figurines can be an expensive business, so before investing in some of the more expensive brands, it is a good idea to source cheaper, slightly less refined figures to practice with. For example, you will find cheaper ‘HO scale’ figurines on eBay.”
As your skills grow, you may want to upgrade to higher-quality models. Allan Teger explains, “Walthers.com, a model railroad supply brand, is a major source, but I also use Christmas ornaments, doll house items, and collector miniatures.”
He also recommends collecting a range of sizes to give yourself flexibility. “When using miniatures, scale is essential, so it is often useful to have a miniature in several different sizes. Then you can choose the one that fits best with the scale of the other props. To create the illusion of distance, I will often use a smaller miniature in the background, so it appears to be farther away.”
A notebook
Many great miniature photography ideas come from spontaneous inspiration, so keeping track of them is important.
“If I ever have an idea materialize that I feel could work well as a miniature, I will try to write it down quickly so that I don’t forget it,” says David Gilliver. “I will then send a quick email to myself using my phone.”
Whether it’s a journal, sketchbook, or your notes app, having a quick way to log ideas can help turn passing thoughts into your next standout scene.
Pro tips for shooting miniature photography
Small scenes make everything more noticeable: the story, the lighting, the details, and even the tiny mistakes. These pro tips will help you create cleaner, sharper, more believable shots.
Tell a story with your set up
Great miniature photography does more than show off tiny props — it creates a believable world. Posing and narrative go hand in hand.
“The two things I focus on the most are the poses for the action figures and the story of the image I’m trying to create,” says Jason Michael. “You can have the best gear, but ultimately if the poses aren’t right or the story needs a caption, then you’ve broken the illusion of the image, and that takes the viewer out of the world you were creating for them.
“Many toy photographers can testify to the number of times they are asked what camera they use or how much post-processing they do, yet seldom do we receive the question ‘How much time do you spend posing your figures and building the story?’ There are some toy photographers who use cellphones to create their images with great results because they focus on making their stories as good as they can.”
Whether you're using action figures or custom-built characters, narrative is the foundation of strong creative miniature photography.
Keep it simple
Even the most imaginative miniature photography ideas work best when they are clear and focused.
“The maxim ‘less is more’ is extremely relevant when working with miniatures,” says Shelly Corbett. “Our brains have a fabulous ability to fill in the missing details on any image. When I see a photo with an elaborate background or a multitude of props, I notice that the story is usually lost in all the clutter. I like to tell my miniature stories with broad brush strokes and with very little extra. I find this allows the viewer to bring their own experiences to the scene and enjoy the image on their own terms.”
Make sure your scenes are clean and polished
Small mistakes are easier to spot in close-up images, so attention to detail matters.
“When using adhesives to help keep your ‘Little People’ in place, use them very sparingly,” David Gilliver advises. “There’s nothing worse than seeing big blobs of blu-tac on the feet of the figurines. Try using tiny (and I mean really tiny) dabs of glue on their feet instead, as this will help the images feel a little more polished.”
Zoom in during setup and editing to check for dust, fingerprints, or anything that breaks the illusion.
Focus on the details
When shooting close-up scenes, every element becomes visible. That’s why miniature photography demands careful planning and attention.
“Details are so important in miniatures because you see all of them,” says Erin Sullivan. “You need to be intentional with every aspect of your scene; otherwise, it can look messy. I recommend playing with depth of field and seeing how the scene changes in the back of your camera as you move objects around.”
Try using a wide aperture to blur the background and isolate your subject. Even small changes — like shifting one prop or adjusting focus — can dramatically affect the image.
Manage reflections in miniature setups
Shiny props, plastic surfaces, and reflective backdrops can ruin the illusion of realism in miniature photography.
“If reflection becomes a problem, there is a temporary dulling spray available,” says Allan Teger. “It coats the surface and cuts the reflection and then can be wiped off. Be sure to get the temporary, removable spray, though.”
You can also reposition lights or use matte materials to reduce glare.
Match the scale of your figures and objects
Mixing different scales can distract the viewer and make your scene feel unbalanced. For believable results, keep props and miniatures in the same size range.
“One common mistake I see from miniature photographers is mixing scales,” Derrick Lin explains. “I think one of the key aspects in miniature photography is creating an imaginary, magic world, and mixing models of different scales can be ‘mood breaking’ unless the photographer has an intended meaning. I recommend using props of the same or similar scales to construct miniature scenes.”
Shoot from the miniature’s eye level
Perspective is everything when trying to create a lifelike miniature world. Shooting from above can make the scene feel flat or artificial.
“One simple mistake I see often is when photographers shoot from too high an angle,” says Grace Weston. “A lower angle brings the viewer more ‘into’ the scene, which is essential when creating your own world in miniature.”
Whenever possible, position your camera at a similar level as your figurines to create a stronger sense of immersion.
Let creativity lead your miniature photography
Some of the best miniature photography ideas come from simply having fun and being open to play.
“Creating engaging (and amusing) dioramas requires a playful approach, so dropping any inhibitions is key,” David Gilliver says. “It’s important to embrace the joyful aspect of making this work. Children engage in the act of play so naturally; we almost forget how to do this as adults. This style of photography is great for helping you to access this part of your brain and embrace your inner child.”
Conclusion
Whether you're just starting out or refining your style, the tools, techniques, and miniature photography ideas shared by these talented artists offer a strong foundation to build on. From lighting and lens choices to storytelling and set design, creative miniature photography is all about curiosity, playfulness, and precision. So sketch out your ideas, gather your props, and start building your own miniature universe, one tiny scene at a time.
About the contributor
Feature Shoot showcases the work of international emerging and established photographers who are transforming the medium through compelling, cutting-edge projects, with contributing writers from all over the world.
