Concept Board: The Landeri Sessions

 

Featuring: Santosh & Family | Date: Saturday, Jul 4, 2026 @ 09:00

 

Meet the Photographer

Hey, my name is Raghul Shanmuganathan

Hi, I’m Raghul. I am a photographer based in the Öresund region (Malmö/CPH) with an obsession for cinematic visuals. I work in tech full-time and am currently following my artistic passion more seriously.


My background in photography didn't start in a pristine, perfectly lit studio. It started out in the wild, capturing unpredictable wildlife, harsh Nordic landscapes, casual portraits for friends, and bold architecture. That foundation taught me how to read natural light and find beauty in deep shadows.


Today, I bring that same dramatic, atmospheric style to human subjects. I don’t shoot light, airy, pastel photos. I shoot moody, high-contrast images that feel like a movie. When I am not behind the camera, you can usually find me building in the tech world or planning my next conceptual shoot.

 

The Core Vision

 

 

To blend the raw, joyful energy of childhood with a polished, cinematic aesthetic. By documenting a candid morning picnic and unscripted walks through the historic gardens of Katrinetorp Landeri, this session will capture the profound connection, quiet emotions, and everyday magic of a family in love—turning fleeting moments into timeless, editorial heirlooms.

 

The Color Palette

 

  • Core Neutrals and Basics
  • ​Crisp Whites and Creams: Several pieces feature a stark white base, particularly in textured and lace fabrics. A warmer, light beige or off-white tone is also present.
  • ​Earthy Tones: Soft, muted shades are visible, including a pale yellow polo material. A classic khaki or light beige fabric adds an earthy grounding.
  • ​Deep Darks: The palette includes heavily saturated darks, such as solid black or very dark grey materials. A textured medium grey fabric provides a softer contrast to the deep black. Navy blue is also featured as a base for patterned fabrics.
  • ​Vibrant Accents and Patterns
  • ​Bright Florals: A lively combination of bright pink, vibrant orange, and sunny yellow creates a high-energy, tropical feel. Another prominent floral pattern pairs a bright pink background with bold yellow, white, and light pink daisies.
  • ​Moody Botanicals: A darker, more sophisticated floral palette features deep purple, muted green, and burnt orange set against a black background.
  • ​Subtle Prints: A monochromatic, low-contrast butterfly pattern appears subtly on a dark background. A light blue leaf or fern pattern contrasts gently against a dark navy base.
  • ​Textural Highlights
  • ​Metallics: A sparkly metallic gold or silver elastic waistband introduces a touch of shimmer to the collection.

 

Wardrobe & Styling

The First Look: (Candids) Please come wearing this

  • Lucie - 4
  • Sigrid - 8 (Yellow t-shirt) with blue denim jumper
  • Santosh - 7 (White shirt + Grey Linen pants )


The Second Look: (Picnic)

  • Lucie & Sigrid - Floral dress 1 & 2 (Backup - 7)
  • Santosh - 7


The walk: (Optional)

  • Lucie - 4 or 1
  • Sigrid - Black hoodie and leggings
  • Santosh - 5

Props & Storytelling Elements

The Atmosphere Base (Picnic Blanket): A beautifully chosen picnic blanket will serve as our physical anchor in the gardens. It immediately sets a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere, allowing the family to interact closely and naturally while grounded in the estate's lush environment.


​The Play Element (Favorite Toys): Incorporating the Sigrid's favorite toys allows us to capture true, unscripted moments. Rather than forcing static poses, I will document the family playing together naturally, stepping in to capture intimate, candid, and tightly framed close-ups of genuine joy and focus.


The Bold Accent (The Sigrid's Red Bag): We are introducing a vibrant red bag for the little one. This acts as a striking, high-contrast visual anchor against the soft morning tones of the gardens, bringing a playful yet highly editorial pop of color to the narrative.


The Wardrobe Shift (The Sunglasses Look): For our structured, all-black styling transition, sunglasses will serve as a key storytelling prop. Specifically, utilizing sunglasses for the doctor's look introduces a sophisticated, sharp, and deeply editorial vibe to the family's profile.


​Personal Accents (Everyday Jewelry): The family is encouraged to accessorize with their usual, everyday jewelry. These subtle, personal touches maintain an authentic sense of identity and individual style within the polished framework of the shoot.

The gear & why

The Body: Canon EOS M50 Mark II


The Why: In a quiet, intimate cafe, bringing massive, intimidating camera gear ruins the vibe. This camera is compact, unobtrusive, and acts as a "quiet observer." It allows us to capture high-end, editorial-quality images without disrupting the natural, cozy atmosphere of the room.


The Glass: Sigma 30mm f/1.4 Lens


The Why: This is the ultimate cinematic storytelling lens. Because it opens up to f/1.4, it acts like a sponge for natural light, meaning we don't need to use harsh, artificial flashes in the dark cafe. More importantly, it creates incredibly shallow depth-of-field—meaning Anastasia and her sketches will be tack-sharp, while the rest of the cafe melts away into beautiful, dreamy blur (bokeh).


The Instant Magic: Polaroid Camera


The Why: Digital photography is beautiful, but it can sometimes feel too perfect. Polaroids are raw, immediate, and wonderfully imperfect. We are bringing this to capture a few tangible, vintage moments right at the table, blending perfectly with the analog aesthetic of the shoot.

Practical Details & Checklist

When & Where?

  • Date: Saturday, July 04,2026
  • Time: 09:00
  • Location: Katrinetorp Landeri, Katrinetorps allé 1, 215 74 Malmö (Google Maps)

What I am bringing (Raghul)?

  • The Digital Cinema Gear: Canon M50 Mark II & Sigma 30mm lens to capture the high-end editorial shots and portrait lenses optimized for cinematic natural light, and backup equipment..
  • Curated Props: A selection of styling elements handpicked specifically to complement the historic manor grounds and garden aesthetic.
  • ​Wardrobe Addition: I am bringing a tailored white shirt specifically for Santosh's outfit layout.

What you are bringing (Santosh & Lucie)?

  • The Wardrobe: All curated family outfits discussed in the styling guide above (including the all-black attire and any alternative changes).
  • ​The Atmosphere Anchor: Your family picnic blanket to lay out in the gardens.
  • ​The Child's Play Kit: Sigrid's favorite toys to encourage candid interaction, plus the kid's red bag.
  • ​Style Accessories: The specified sunglasses (including the pair for the doctor's look) and your usual personal jewelry.
  • The Vibe: Just bring yourself and your creative energy! No modeling experience required. We are just going to hang out, drink coffee, and make some art.

How long does it take to get our photos?

For a shoot like this, I’d say roughly 1.5 to 2 hours is the sweet spot. That gives us plenty of time to be creative and try different angles without feeling rushed.