Transform ordinary portraits into magical fairytale scenes with soft glows, pastel color grading, and dreamy vignette effects perfect for wedding and fantasy photography.

Step 1: Open and Duplicate

Open your portrait photo. Duplicate the background twice. Name layers "Soft Glow" and "Color Base".

Step 2: Create Soft Glow

Select the Soft Glow layer. Filter > Blur > Gaussian Blur at 25px.

Set blending mode to Screen at 40% opacity.

Step 3: Pastel Color Grading

Add a Gradient Map adjustment layer: soft pink (#f4c4c4) to lavender (#c4b4e8). Set layer opacity to 35%.

Step 4: Boost Highlights

Add a Curves adjustment layer. Pull the highlight point slightly up and add a gentle S-curve for dreamy contrast.

Step 5: Add Light Particles

Create a new layer. Use a soft white brush at 2–5px scattered across highlights. Set blending mode to Overlay.

Apply Outer Glow: white, Screen, size 8px.

Step 6: Vignette and Fade

Add a white-to-transparent radial gradient vignette on a new layer at Soft Light 30%.

Reduce overall saturation with Hue/Saturation: -10.

Step 7: Final Polish

Add a Photo Filter (Warming Filter LBA) at 15% density. Sharpen eyes only using a sharpen layer with a mask.

That's it! You've completed this tutorial. Experiment with the techniques and share your results with the Designstacks community.