Behind the Scenes of a Tactical New Year’s Creative Shoot
Bluffton | Hilton Head Island | Savannah | Tybee Island
Nine Line Apparel needed a bold, high-energy visual for their upcoming New Year’s Blowout Sale, and I wanted to create something that felt patriotic, gritty, and fun all at once. The concept blended a classic American backdrop with tactical gear and the iconic XProducts Can Cannon — an AR-15–based soda-can launcher that became the perfect prop for a playful New Year’s twist.
My idea was simple: photograph a veteran posing as if he were launching glitter and confetti straight into the air, excited and ready to celebrate the new year. Later in Photoshop, I enhanced the scene by compositing bright confetti bursting out of the barrel to complete the effect.
The Creative Setup
I staged the shoot in front of a large, weathered American flag that added texture and character to the background. The veteran geared up in full tactical equipment and plate carrier, giving every pose authenticity and a strong, rugged presence.
The star moment of the session was him aiming the Can Cannon upward, smiling and fired up like he was sending a celebratory blast into the new year.
This mix of military strength and festive energy created a visual contrast that felt unique, eye-catching, and perfectly aligned with Nine Line’s style.
Lighting the Shot
To build a dramatic, cinematic feel, I used continuous lighting, which allowed me to see the shadows and highlights in real time as the subject moved.
• Key Light: Nanlite FS-300C
Positioned slightly off-center to define the helmet, beard, and tactical gear while keeping the flag rich and detailed behind him.
• Hair / Rim Light: Nanlite Forza 150B
Placed behind and to the side to separate him from the backdrop and create clean edge lighting around the helmet and shoulders.
The setup added depth and crisp contrast, making the images bold and strong — exactly what I wanted for this campaign.
Camera Gear & Settings
I photographed everything on the Sony A7R V, paired with the Tamron 70–180mm f/2.8. The lens compression at 116mm helped bring forward the subject while still showcasing the flag behind him.
hutter Speed: 1/250s
Aperture: f/4.0
ISO: 500
Focal Length: 116mm
These settings captured sharp detail across the frame while allowing the lighting to work its magic.
Post-Production & Confetti Burst
The Can Cannon was photographed empty, and then in Photoshop I added the confetti effects to make it look like it was firing a colorful, celebratory blast. The glitter arcs, the red-white-blue tones, and the motion added a fun twist that instantly tied the concept into the New Year theme.
Why This Shoot worked
This shoot worked because it struck the perfect balance between authenticity, patriotism, creativity, and seasonal storytelling. Photographing a real veteran in genuine tactical gear brought a sense of respect and energy to every frame, while the American flag backdrop grounded the visuals in strong patriotic imagery. The addition of the Can Cannon and digitally added confetti introduced a bold and unexpected creative twist that made the concept instantly memorable. Combined with the celebratory New Year theme, the final images delivered fun, high-impact visuals that provided Nine Line Apparel with powerful, social-media-ready content for their New Year’s Blowout Sale.
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Ready to Bring Your Creative Vision to Life?
If you’re looking to elevate your brand with bold, high-impact visuals like this New Year’s campaign, I’d love to help bring your ideas to life. Whether you need product photography, lifestyle imagery, or a full creative concept built from the ground up, I offer professional direction, studio lighting expertise, and a polished final look that stands out across social media and marketing platforms.
Let’s create something unforgettable for your brand.
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