The Prism Effect: Using Fractal Filter Prisms
by: Shannon Kathleen Photography
The Prism Effect changed how I see photography — and how I see myself.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in creatively, stuck following all the “rules,” or unsure how to show up in your work, The Prism Effect is your permission slip to break free. This blog dives into how using Fractal Filter Prisms helped me rediscover my creative voice, layer light in new ways, and say more with my photos — all while bending the rules (and the light) in the best way possible.
Let’s explore the tools, the technique, and the mindset behind The Prism Effect — and how you can start using it to unlock new dimension in your portraits, personal brand, or self-expression.
Discovering The Prism Effect in Photography
Breaking Rules to Unlock Your Own Prism Effect
I didn’t start out as a rule-breaker. When I first got into photography, I followed the guidelines like a good student. I played it safe. I wanted to get it “right.”
But then I found this whole world of photographers who weren’t worried about whether other people “got” their work. They broke the rules — and in doing so, they created art that made you feel something. Deep in my gut, I knew: that’s the kind of work I want to make.
That’s where The Prism Effect began for me. Not just as a visual style — but as a shift in mindset. It was about seeing differently. Feeling more. Letting the photo tell the story, not just follow a script.
How Fractal Filter Prisms Spark Creative Freedom
Discovering the Fractal Filter Prisms from Get Fractals was like being handed a creative cheat code. These aren’t just tools — they’re portals. They help you transform an ordinary photo into something layered, mysterious, and emotionally rich.
For someone like me — a hopeless romantic drawn to dreamy, whimsical visuals — they felt like magic. But the real magic wasn’t just in the light refractions. It was in how they made me feel while shooting. More curious. More present. More me.
As a hopeless romantic, I am really drawn to the dreamy, enchanting, mysterious, and whimsical form of art.
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have”
Maya Angelou
The Prism Effect in Creative Storytelling
What The Prism Effect Taught Me About Following My Intuition
Once I gave myself permission to shoot based on feel, not formulas, everything clicked. My why got clearer: I’m not here to capture perfection. I’m here to explore, to express, to turn emotions into images.
Using tools like prisms helped me discover new layers of myself — and share that discovery with others. And that, to me, is the entire point of photography.
Using Prism Photography to Reveal New Layers of Light
The Prism Effect isn’t about adding fake effects. It’s about drawing out what’s already there — and seeing it through new angles.
When I started using the Fractal Filters regularly, I noticed a shift in my work. It wasn’t just visually more interesting — it felt more honest. More alive. And most importantly, it told deeper stories. Which is what we’re all trying to do, right?
What’s Inside the Fractal Filter Prism Set
How Each Prism Contributes to The Prism Effect
The Fractal Filter Prism Set comes with three distinct prisms, each offering its own visual superpower. Whether you’re going for soft halos, kaleidoscopic reflections, or offset dreamy edges, there’s something in the set for you.
What totally impressed me? The case. It’s high-quality, super portable, and protects your creative little weapons of choice.
- Soft-lined slots for each prism
- Shoulder strap (hands-free, baby)
- Bonus belt loop for on-the-go shooting
Seriously, it’s like the camera gear equivalent of a designer handbag.
Want to check out the set?
How to Use Fractal Filter Prisms for Your Own Prism Effect
Hand Placement & Angles That Maximize The Prism Effect
It’s easier than it looks — I promise.
- Slip your fingers into the built-in handle
- Hold the prism in front of your lens
- Move it around until the light bends or reflects in a way that makes your heart skip a beat
You can shoot through the prism for an all-over effect, or hold it to the side for subtle light leaks or reflection blur. It’s like painting with light — but with a camera instead of a brush.
Shooting Through vs. Shooting Beside the Prism
Experiment with placement:
- Center: Dreamy, immersive vibe
- Side: Asymmetrical light play, perfect for emotional storytelling
- Partial coverage: Creates unexpected mood and depth
The beauty of it? No two shots ever look exactly the same. Which is basically heaven for us creative types.
Want to peek at what gear I use with my Fractals? Click below for my self-portrait gear list:
The Prism Effect in Real Sessions
How The Prism Effect Transformed My Session in Arizona
In February, I visited my friend Mary in Arizona and used my Fractal set for most of our session. I left that shoot buzzing. The energy, the results, the connection — it all felt different. Elevated.
Those images? Some of my all-time favorites. It reminded me why I love this art form — and how The Prism Effect can turn a regular moment into something magical.
Using Prism Photography to Add Emotion, Depth, and Magic
These aren’t gimmicks. When used with intention, Fractal Filter Prisms can amplify the feeling of an image. Want to make someone look ethereal? Mysterious? Joyful? There’s a prism trick for that.
And once you start creating like this, it’s hard to go back to shooting “flat.”
click here to buy your fractal filter prism set!
All images edited using SMAL Rose Presets
The Most Important Lesson of The Prism Effect
Creativity, Self-Discovery, and Seeing Yourself Through New Light
You’re not too much. You’re multifaceted. Like a prism.
The chaos, the color, the layers — that’s where the beauty is. The more we allow ourselves to be seen in our fullness, the more connected and grounded we feel.
And that’s not just true in art. It’s true in dating. In friendship. In identity.
Use The Prism Effect to Show Up Clearly in Your Brand (AI Discovery Checklist for Service Providers)
The same magic behind The Prism Effect — showing your layers, bending the light, breaking the rules — is exactly what most service providers need when it comes to branding and visibility.
Let’s be honest: it’s way too easy to water ourselves down online. To hide behind polished bios, generic websites, or vague messaging that doesn’t actually say who we are.
That’s why I created the AI Discovery Checklist — a free tool specifically for creative entrepreneurs, coaches, and service providers who want to:
- Show up in your content, website, and offers with clarity and confidence
- Clarify what makes them different (without sounding like everyone else)
- Discover their magnetic qualities and how to articulate them
- Use AI tools strategically (without losing your humanity)
It’s part strategy, part soul-searching, and totally designed to help you show up more fully — without trying to fit into anyone else’s template.
Because your brand doesn’t need to be louder. It needs to be clearer.
Ready to Create Your Own Prism Effect?
Whether you’re newly single, stepping into a new chapter, or just finally ready to be seen, I’d love to help you capture your unique light.
I specialize in natural light portraits for people who want to feel confident, magnetic, and authentically seen.
Let’s create something honest. Creative. Real. Let’s bend the light, break the rules — and reflect who you really are.
P.S. Let’s Stay Connected
Follow me on Instagram for self-portrait inspo, dreamy lens flares, behind-the-scenes tips, and occasional confessions about how many camera bags I own.
Oh hey there, nice to meet you!
I’m Shannon O’Malley— a Minneapolis-based (soon-to-be Dallas, TX!) photographer who specializes in online dating profile photography, personal branding portraits, business headshots, and senior sessions. Whether you’re showing up on dating apps, LinkedIn, or your website, I create natural light photos that help you feel confident, magnetic, and true to yourself.
With over 15 years of experience — and a journey that’s taken me from single mom to entrepreneur (with a CBS feature along the way) — I’ve seen firsthand how the right photos can open doors. From attracting more aligned matches to landing dream clients, your image is often the first impression. Let’s make it count.
I also help service providers and creatives get discovered through AI search tools like ChatGPT. I’m the creator of the AI Discovery Checklist and the upcoming course Booked by ChatGPT, designed to help people like you show up where your dream clients are already asking, “Who should I hire?”
Oh, and I’m also the founder of the Empowered Evolution Mentorship Program — where I teach photographers how to build profitable, sustainable businesses with intentional marketing, smart SEO, and systems that don’t burn you out.
When I’m not behind the camera, you’ll find me with my husband, my son, and our beautifully blended family — soaking up everyday joy here in the Twin Cities (for now!). We’re relocating to Dallas, Texas in 2026, where I’ll continue offering my signature photography experience for daters, creatives, and business owners in the DFW area.
Ready for photos that actually feel like you? Whether you’re leveling up your dating profile, your personal brand, or your online visibility, I’ll guide you every step of the way. Let’s book your session — or start with the free AI Discovery Checklist.
Photographed by Shannon O’Malley of Shannon Kathleen Photography — Twin Cities photographer specializing in dating and branding portraits.
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Trusted by: Singles on Bumble, Hinge & Tinder • Entrepreneurs • Executives • Creatives • Parents of Seniors
