The emotional impact of a photograph can be found in many of the elements such as composition, placement of the subject(s), lighting, use of negative space, shadows, and color.

Here I used a technique called "high key".  The key light is the primary light used to light a subject. Key light is usually the first light placed in studio lighting. This is usually the brightest light used and the fill lights are used to soften shadows or craft the look of the final product. But in high key, not only is the key light used to create as few shadows as possible, very bright and light, the fill lights also are placed in a manner that reduces or eliminates contrast and shadows.

Here the lights flood the subject to the point of blowing out the highlights in some areas. The use of bright light in the photo evokes a crisp snow like appeal giving the peppermints the feel of a wintery day.

Emotionally the impact is light and airy and crisp.