Garangao is a cherished Qatari tradition, full of warmth, joy, and heritage. So when Aspire Zone partnered with Frame Communications to create a visual tribute to this special night, we knew the lighting had to do more than just illuminate — it had to tell a story.
The Scene
Two children knock on the door of a traditional Qatari home. A graceful elderly woman greets them with sweets. It’s an iconic Garangao moment — one that needed to feel nostalgic, magical, and authentic, all at once.
But there was a challenge: The location had little ambient light.
What you see in the final campaign image — glowing lanterns, warm facades, and a beautifully lit night — was the result of meticulous planning and on-location lighting design.
Surveying the Scene
The traditional architecture of the building offered the perfect backdrop. During our location scout, it was clear we needed to create the lighting environment ourselves while preserving the space’s authentic charm. Our task: transform this location into a warm, inviting Garangao night scene.
🎬 On-Site: Framing First, Then Light
Once on location, our team began by finalizing the framing and lens selection, locking in the shot before any lights were set.
Then, we moved into lighting.
💡 Lighting Setup: 3 Lights + Natural Practical
We used a 3-light setup, enhancing the existing architectural lights.
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Key Light:
A Godox parabolic light was placed high and angled above the scene — acting as a soft, warm key light to illuminate the subjects naturally. -
Accent Lighting:
We experimented with side lighting on the building, trying different gel combinations. After testing, we landed on a beautiful mix of orange and blue gels, giving the building warmth and depth while subtly nodding to traditional vs modern tones. -
Fill & Practical Integration:
The practical wall-mounted fixtures were left on, and we carefully balanced our lighting to work with their natural glow — not overpowering it, but enhancing it.Here’s a look at the transformation:
Frame’s Final Composite:
✨ The Takeaway
This shoot is a perfect example of how lighting goes beyond technical needs — it becomes an emotional tool. Every source we placed, every shadow we allowed, and every highlight we controlled was in service of capturing a feeling: nostalgia, festivity, tradition.
We’re proud to have brought this Garangao story to life with Aspire Zone and Frame.