Totes jelly: a playful experiment in color and light

Sometimes you just have to try something new.

I wanted to make something fun. Something colorful. Something a little dreamy — like a memory you can’t quite place, but you know it sparkled.

That’s how I ended up photographing dozens of jelly cups.

Bright, translucent, and a little wobbly, these little treats were exactly what I was after creatively: bold colors, soft edges, and a sense of play. I wanted the images to feel almost surreal, like stepping into a sugar-fueled dream.

I started by arranging the jelly cups onto a vibrant blue background, letting the neon greens, hot pinks, and sunny yellows pop against the cool tones. I played with layering, reflections, and filters to create a kaleidoscopic effect — something alive and a little dizzying, like spinning on a playground in the middle of summer.

Lighting was key. I leaned into bright, directional light to bring out the jelly’s shine and translucency, catching highlights and bringing out the sparkle. I wanted them to feel like they were glowing from within.

I went broad with my techniques and styling. Some frames feel clean and orderly. Others explode into colorful chaos. Some are close-ups that turn the jelly cups into strange, glittering artifacts.

This series reminded me why I love experimenting: when you give yourself permission to play, you end up somewhere unexpected. Somewhere more joyful.

And sometimes, that’s exactly where you need to be.