The Magic of Aura Photography

What is the Lighthouse Aura Experience?

At Lighthouse, our custom aura technology is a unique and adaptable way of capturing the magic of aura photography in a digital landscape. A reimagining of the popular Victorian photographic experience, we wanted to capture the energy and mysticism of aura photography for a modern day audience, with an AI twist. A distinctive, immersive experience that can be customised and integrated for a broad spectrum of activations, both online and in person.

We designed and developed the technology using digital photography equipment and techniques combined with AI, applying a personalised halo of colours to each individual portrait. The results are captivating content with a touch of magic that can be shared digitally as well as gifted, along with either a printed or digital booklet, explaining in detail how to read your own aura image.

Our collaboration with Tanqueray in London was a perfect example of how the Aura Experience can be produced and integrated seamlessly into a product campaign, creating an immersive experience that elevates the activation and boosts engagement.

As part of a promotional campaign, Tanqueray №10 transformed Bloomsbury House, London into Tanqueray Townhouse, a week-long immersive experience of magical gin-related activities.

As part of the activation, we developed The Aura Room, a customised space within the Townhouse where guests could come and have their aura image captured. They were then invited to create their own personalised cocktail using flavours and botanicals that corresponded to their unique aura reading. Over the 7 day campaign, The Aura Room saw over 2,500 visitors.

Vogue described The Aura Room as “Instagram Catnip” where guests could come to “find out exactly which cocktail suits their personality type: tranquil green auras should opt for a Citrus Gimlet, for example, while cheerful yellows have an affinity with Townhouse Negronis and bold reds will prefer a Gin Fizz”.

So what are the origins of Aura Photography?

A popular Victorian photographic experience, aura photography was a product of the growing fascination with paranormalism, and the technological advancements of photography in the mid 19th century.

Aura photography sought to make the invisible visible. The idea was that, if a medium or clairvoyant could see aura colours, otherwise known as the electromagnetic field surrounding a person, why couldn’t a camera? Among the paranormal beliefs of the Victorian era was Franz Anton Mesmer’s theory that all animate and inanimate things were charged with a “vital fluid”. With Wilhelm Röntgen’s discovery of the X-ray in 1895, science also played its role alongside the paranormal, in this style of “effluvist photography”.

Magic and illusion remained popular themes through the 19th and into the 20th century, and throughout that time aura photography became a sought after form of entertainment. From Karl Ludwig Freiherr von Reichenbach’s dark room experiments in the 1860s, to the creation of Kirlian photography in 1939, through to the AuraCams of Guy Coggins in the 1970s and 80s, aura photography continues to fascinate and captivate.

Magic and illusion remained popular themes through the 19th and into the 20th century, and throughout that time aura photography became a sought after form of entertainment. From Karl Ludwig Freiherr von Reichenbach’s dark room experiments in the 1860s, to the creation of Kirlian photography in 1939, through to the AuraCams of Guy Coggins in the 1970s and 80s, aura photography continues to fascinate and captivate.

Aura photography may seem like it belongs in the history of image making, but in a world that increasingly values immersive experiences and hyper personalised digital and physical content, our Aura Experience is the perfect way to bring some extra magic to your activation or event. 

In the words of our CEO Jonathan Randall “Our Aura Booth offers a fun and magical experience that guarantees new found self-discovery with beautiful, striking images”.

Get in touch to find out more about our Aura Experience and working with Lighthouse here.