Lucie is a graphic designer and self-taught photographer. After updating her design portfolio, she realised the importance of product photography to make a difference in today’s busy and competitive world.

 

After getting her first camera and practising for a few months, she realised she could also help others achieve a better look online with stock photography and special mockups that would make her clients designs shine.

 

She likes to move around and collect new design trends and inspiration on the go. She is currently living by the Ocean on the Western coast of Europe.

 

Carrie: When did you first realize the importance of art in your life?

I had always considered art more like a hobby, as my mum paints sometimes and my dad loves woodwork. But in 2014 I decided to try and create my own design work, and I read The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron which totally transformed my vision about art and creativity.

Art has quickly become an essential part of my daily life, between observation for inspiration and courage to face the blank page and try new ways of expressing myself.

Carrie: How did you come to discover the world of mock-ups and styled photography?

I am a graphic designer and I decided to go freelance with less than one year of experience. I realised that I’d have to up my game to get noticed.

After doing some research I understood that telling the story of my projects would be a good idea and I did that by styling and taking photos of the completed work. It was not so good at first because I had no idea how to actually style and shoot my work! But it did give me the freelance job I was dreaming of!

Afterwards I thought that maybe other artists and entrepreneurs might need the same kind of photos/mockups for their own work too. There were only very few mock ups at the time which were so neutral and rather lifeless, I wanted to create something with an inspiring and calming feeling too, and that’s how my company was born.

Carrie: Can you describe your artistic process to readers? For example, do you follow the same pattern and track when you develop an artwork from idea to product?

I do yes! I like to start by thinking of a theme or a season, whether it’s weddings or Christmas. Then the location where I find myself usually plays a very strong part too in the inspiration process.

I was living in England when I created my first mock ups so you can see quite a bit of greys and soft whites. When I moved to Portugal in the South I started using props like olive branches and lemons which gave a more Southern look to the photos.

Once I have a theme in mind, I need some keywords that would describe the atmosphere of the scene and what I want to share. If I don’t have this then I’d get lost in my work process and I’d lose direction. That’s what allows me to choose my props, set my lighting and the composition of the photos.

Carrie: I’m totally curious: how do you find the objects you use in your styled shoots?

There are a few different ways. Sometimes in my travels I keep an eye open for anything that could work as a prop, usually small. If I am on a hunt for something specific then I’ll check independent shops first and online marketplaces or also brocantes (I LOVE brocantes!).

It’s basically something I like to do personally so I do invest quite a lot of my time in prop sourcing and it’s a fav! Then you can also get the essentials in big shops, but I always check the country where it’s made to keep it as ethical as possible.

Carrie: What does your workspace look like?

I started out in my bedroom and it went all the way to renting a studio in town, but I love it best as a separate room in my home.

It has a pink wall, 2 desks, one for crafting and one for admin and computer work, and a big window. I use some of my props as decoration and it’s filled up with vintage stars and dried flowers. I also have a garage for prop storage too.

Carrie: What strategies do you use to help yourself when you feel “stuck?”

Netflix? Just joking 🙂 although it does help when I get overwhelmed! Creating can be intense so it’s good to allow yourself some empty recharging space when your brain is off.

But when I feel stuck I use the method of 3 morning pages from the same book The Artist’s Way. It’s a method where you just write down your stream of consciousness. It allows me to get clear on issues if any, and after that 1,5 page ideas start to pop up on their own. It’s such a powerful way to move on, I’d recommend it to anyone for any project.

Carrie:  What has been one hurdle you’ve overcome as a creative and how did you navigate that problem?

I think the hardest part is when you start on your own. You have to figure it all out and it’s not just about being creative. The most challenging part was all the admin side actually which, when it gets stressful, has a negative impact on your work.

By being part of some groups, whether free or members club, I found the answers I needed to get going. It’s such an important part of the process. When you leave your main job you won’t have your colleagues to laugh with and you won’t have your boss to answer your questions, so get ready with a group you can share your doubts and wins with. It’s also a great motivator for the harder days!

Carrie: You recently created a new program for artists called Pretty Handmade. Tell us about it?

Sure! Since I started creating stock photos and mock ups I have had a lot of requests for very specific photos and I realised that I would not be able to create all of these. I also had more and more people asking me how I did this or that. So one day I asked my audience whether they’d be interesting in learning how to do it themselves so they could really create branded photos of their work that would be unique.

In 4 weeks, I share my process from getting clear on your brand to finding the right props and retouching photos quickly in Photoshop. The feedback on the course has been amazing so far and I am so proud of the students’ work!

Carrie: What are 1-2 must-do tips you have for us artists wondering about styling our work?

Tip 1: keep it simple. You don’t have to get a prop from the other side of the world to make your work shine. Start with what you have around you, and keep the items small so they don’t take away the focus on your product.

Tip 2: pay attention to colour. In photography, colour plays a really strong part. Pick items that have soft colours and remind the viewer of some of the colours in your product too. It will harmonise your photo.

Carrie: Who/what inspires you?

I have to say Nature. Flowers and seasons mostly. When you start taking photos, you have to observe and you pay attention to small details. This brings an enormous sense of appreciation for simple things like a sunrise, the colours of the sky, or a falling leaf.

I take these emotions and try to recreate them again in my work. As a second inspiration source I’d say interior design blogs and magazines that have this rustic style I love so much!

Carrie:  What is one creative resource you can’t live without?

Magazines! The ones about creativity like Flow, Frankie or Uppercase. I absolutely love playing with paper and I love getting motivated and inspired from other people’s artistic journeys.

Carrie:  What does the word artist mean to you?

To me, an artist is someone who combines pieces of the outer world with his inner voice to create something that will resonate with other people.

Additional Contact Info:

Website: https://whitehartdesign.co

Instagram: @whitehartdesignco

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/WhiteHartDesignCo

Creative Market: https://creativemarket.com/WhiteHartDesignCo