At Mango Studio BKK, we believe the most relatable stories sometimes come from the smallest subjects. This image, part of our “Sweet Stories” series, captures the universal joy of friendship and carefree summer days – just with slightly more gelatinous protagonists than usual.
The technical setup was an exercise in patience and precision. Using our Hasselblad H6D with a 120mm macro lens, we created this miniature beach paradise on a 12-inch square surface. The “sand” is a careful blend of brown sugar and crushed graham crackers, giving us varying textures that would actually hold tiny footprints. The ocean? Blue raspberry jello, caught at that perfect moment between set and liquid, creating realistic-looking waves and allowing our gummy bear friend to float naturally in its ring.
Summer friendships are made of these simple moments – the warmth of the sun, the comfort of shade, and the joy of doing absolutely nothing together. Our miniature beach scene captures that perfect lazy day when time seems to slow down and all that matters is the company you keep.
Lighting was key to creating the summer atmosphere. We used two main light sources: a large softbox above to create that bright, beach-day feel, and a small LED with a warming gel to simulate sunlight hitting the scene from a low angle, creating those long, friendly shadows that suggest late afternoon – the golden hour of bear beach time.
At Mango Studio BKK, we love how commercial photography can tell human stories through unexpected subjects. This image reminds us that friendship looks the same at any scale – whether you’re a person or a gummy bear, there’s nothing better than sharing a perfect beach day with your best friend. The next time you’re enjoying the Thai sun with your friends, remember – somewhere out there, tiny gummy bears are doing the exact same thing.