Mia Moran uses a custom CLASSIC CHROME FS RECIPE to document daily moments with nostalgic, film-like warmth
For Mia Moran, creativity is an everyday practice that thrives both on set and out in the world. From client film projects to spontaneous road trips, she is always looking for ways to tell a story. She finds inspiration in documenting her life in a way that feels intentional yet effortless, sharing moments that reflect how she experiences them.
Recently, Mia brought that approach to a new challenge: creating a custom FS RECIPE on FUJIFILM X-E5, starting with CLASSIC CHROME as a base. Her aim was simple but deliberate: to craft a warm, versatile look that could move with her, whether she was traveling or working close to home, and produce finished images straight out of camera.
The Joy of Creating in the Moment
“Being able to create on the go is essential to me,” Mia says. “I love documenting life’s moments without needing to edit my photos or think too hard about the image-making process. It’s all about recording the moments and having fun.”
That immediacy is a welcome counterbalance to her client video work, which can take months from concept to completion. Personal photography offers a creative reset and a chance to enjoy the results right away.
“Making photos for myself is like a visual photo diary and time capsule,” she explains. “It’s a healthy, fun, and creative balance to make photos without the need to spend so long editing.”
Daily documentation is not only about preserving memories, as far as Mia is concerned. It is an ongoing exercise in creative awareness – one that keeps her skills sharp and her perspective fresh by letting her respond to a moment in real time, free from the delays of post-production.
Why CLASSIC CHROME?
When selecting a base for her FS RECIPE, Mia knew exactly where to begin.
“CLASSIC CHROME has a calm and neutral look to it,” she says, “It gives you a great opportunity to create your images while looking at things in the world that complement this visual quality.”
Its understated character has made CLASSIC CHROME a favorite among photographers who appreciate subtle tonality – and pairs beautifully with Mia’s preferred light.
“I love creating in golden hour, which allows for great colors and contrast between light and shadows,” she says. “Whether it’s spontaneous road trips, street photography, or stunning landscapes while traveling, this look works beautifully.”
Building the FS RECIPE
Mia’s approach to customizing her Film Simulation was thoughtful and precise.
“Key customizations I made to my CLASSIC CHROME FS RECIPE are within the TONE CURVE and WHITE BALANCE,” she explains. “I brought it a bit warmer by keeping my WHITE BALANCE at 5700K, with R +3 and B -5. By this, I was able to make a nice, warm, but still evenly saturated and neutral look.”
She kept GRAIN EFFECT to a minimum, too.
“I wanted to keep the natural sharpness of the images to be seen through the textures, colors, and lighting contrast rather than adding it in-camera,” she says.
Other adjustments (COLOR: +2, SHARPNESS: +1, CLARITY: +2, and HIGH ISO NR: -4) were selected to enhance reds and blues while preserving fine detail. Exploring during golden and blue hours allows her to bring out ‘the warm glow and strong contrast of natural light and shadows’, a signature quality in many of her favorite images.
The Creative Freedom of Custom FS RECIPES
For Mia, one of the most empowering aspects of FUJIFILM X-E5 is how easy and flexible it makes creating custom Film Simulations.
“Creating custom FS RECIPES alongside the base looks of Film Simulations just makes it easier to create the images you envision in your head,” she says. “It saves me time in the edit room and allows me to focus on creating a pretty image right in that moment. Seeing the final results just makes me fall in love with the image so much more.”
That simplicity encourages experimentation, especially when traveling. If the light shifts or a scene feels different than expected, she can quickly change to another Film Simulation or fine-tune her settings, turning unexpected conditions into creative opportunities.
Shaping the Look in-Camera
“Creating images and shaping the look in-camera saves me a ton of time, and it’s ready to share with friends or online quickly,” Mia says.
When traveling, she often works without a laptop or editing software.
“Being able to create my images with a Film Simulation and FS RECIPE also allows for more creative ideas while making the images,” she adds. Working this way keeps her focused on the moment in front of her and opens the door to unexpected results.
She finds that working with a set look changes how she approaches each frame.
“Experimenting with different Film Simulations while creating can lead to different results than you had originally intended,” she explains. “They challenge you to look at scenes differently and think of what stands out in your images based on the chosen Film Simulation. You might end up loving something completely different than your initial idea.”
A Tool for Creativity Anywhere
Mia’s custom CLASSIC CHROME FS RECIPE is more than a set of camera settings. It is a creative approach that blends intention with spontaneity. FUJIFILM X-E5’s portability and tactile controls keep it close at hand, ready for both fleeting roadside scenes and long, light-filled evenings.
Her philosophy reflects a truth many photographers share: when you trust your camera to deliver the look you want, you can focus fully on the experience. For Mia, that means making images that hold the feeling of a moment, without getting lost in technical distractions.
“When building on top of Film Simulations, you have full creative freedom and access to adjusting them however you’d like,” she says. “It’s about enjoying the process, staying present, and letting the creativity happen right there in front of you.”
Mia Moran’s “Cali Vibes” FS RECIPE
FILM SIMULATION: CLASSIC CHROME
MONOCHROMATIC COLOR: N/A
GRAIN EFFECT: WEAK, SMALL
COLOR CHROME EFFECT: STRONG
COLOR CHROME FX BLUE: WEAK
SMOOTH SKIN EFFECT: OFF
WHITE BALANCE: 5700K / R +3, B -5
DYNAMIC RANGE: DR-P
D RANGE PRIORITY: AUTO
TONE CURVE: H 0, S 0
COLOR: +2
SHARPNESS: +1
HIGH ISO NR: -4
CLARITY: +2
