You Can Do It - Milky Ways

Emphasize beauty with a milk bath portrait

- Miriam Leuchter

YOU DON’T have to believe the myth that Cleopatra bathed in milk to recognize its power in creating beautiful portraits. The opaque liquid frames the face and the parts of the body revealed at the surface while discretely hiding what’s below—hinting at nudity without necessarily giving it all away. Its white surface bounces and diffuses light for a beautiful, even glow that opens up shadows and smoothes the look of skin.

Portrait photographer Tiffany Burke, based in Tacoma, Washington, puts a modern, dreamy twist on the technique. She dilutes the milk with bathwater to make it slightly translucent rather than fully opaque; floating flowers and leaves create a variety of patterns and colors. And she uses the milk bath setting for pregnant women, new mothers, and infants—enriching these portraits with metaphor.

“Most of my clients give me the creative freedom to decide what objects and decorations to add to the bath,” Burke says. “A plain milk bath will assure that your subject is the main focal point, but flowers and other organic decorations can give your photograph some texture and contrast.”

For props, she chooses a mix of real botanicals and silk versions from a craft store. Be sure to test them in water before you show up on set—it’s helpful to ensure that any color dyes will not run and that enough of your decorations will stay on the surface. Real flowers float; fakes often don’t.