Hey friends! We are continuing with the Artist Showcase series after five years of hiatus. I’m thrilled to restart this series to interview and showcase amazing creatives that I’ve found influential for me and are willing to share information about themselves. It’s 2020 and I enjoy having a space to showcase creatives without having to do so many things or even pay to be featured. It’s a bit of the old-school blog vibes that I miss.

Instagram is probably the largest photography referral service right now for photographers who work with entrepreneurs. I started to see Arlene’s work pop up in the tiny Orlando bubble because her style is something I lean towards. She’s been so kind and supportive and I want more people to hire her to take photos of them doing what they love.

I’m an Orlando brand and product photographer specializing in images that help creatives and small businesses tell their story. My passion lies in capturing real moments and emotions I was born in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and you can find me listening to music all day while sipping my favorite coffee, Cafe Bustelo. When I’m not helping businesses and people with their photography needs, I’m teaching my son through distance learning or watching The Office or The Good Place with my husband.

What are your favorite ways to create? 

For work: putting on my headphones and listening to R&B. When I need to spark some creativity and I’m not working, I love to leave town and head somewhere different, and just look for things to photograph that inspire me. Architecture, cool places, or an amazing cocktail all help with this process. I really think the change of scenery helps me a lot creatively.

What made you decide to start your photography business?

I started out as a travel blogger, and my focus was to show the many awesome local aspects that Orlando had to offer: shops, restaurants and artists, murals and more. I started using photography as a way to compliment my blogs and post to social media and started to realize how much more I enjoyed photography. I started investing all my free time into learning everything I could about photography, from shooting in manual settings to lighting and composition.

Where do you often find inspiration? 

St. Augustine is my absolute favorite place when I need to get away and get inspired. Alternatively, music is really influential to me, from how artists are styled in photoshoots to how they create their visuals for music videos, particularly Beyoncé.

How have you had to pivot in the age of COVID-19?

I started getting more into product photography since it was something I could do at home and not around people, and I’ve actually fallen in love with it! I wanted to bring a different style to the work I was creating so it didn’t look like just products on a white background, and found inspiration in the morning light that hits my front porch each day.

I started doing little shoots for fun and posting them on social media, and those fun shoots have actually landed me a few clients.

How do you find your voice among all of the photography trends??

It’s hard to not feel like you have to jump on whatever is trendy right now, but I want my work and the images I deliver to people to be timeless. With photography, I feel like there is always a popular way to edit at the moment (light and airy, moody, etc) but I stick with editing a little on the warmer side while trying to keep most colors as true to life as possible and maintaining the natural look to my client’s skin tones.

What has been your biggest challenge as a creative?

Not letting imposter syndrome prevent me from putting my work out. Social media is great for putting you in front of new people and connecting you with new and old friends, but it’s also notorious for the comparison game. I’m definitely not immune to that, but I try to not let what others are doing makes me feel I’m not doing enough or my work isn’t as good. We’re all bringing our individual talent and flavor to what we create.

What advice would you give other creatives who are thinking about opening their own business?

Honestly, stop debating and wanting things to be perfect and just do it. Start now. You will evolve and improve the more you get out there and create, so don’t be discouraged. Keep reading and practicing. Do your own thing and don’t worry about what everyone else is doing! Follow your instincts and what inspires YOU and the right people will find you.

Connect with Arlene: Portfolio | Instagram

The post Artist Showcase: Arlene Laboy of Arlene Laboy Photography appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Hey friends! We are continuing with the Artist Showcase series after five years of hiatus. I’m thrilled to restart this series to interview and showcase amazing creatives that I’ve found influential for me and are willing to share information about themselves. It’s 2020 and I enjoy having a space to showcase creatives without having to do so many things or even pay to be featured. It’s a bit of the old-school blog vibes that I miss.

Today’s guest is a wonderful multi-faceted creative who I found also on Instagram. She knows the struggle of a creative who is constantly working between various mediums within their business and I appreciate having someone around who can relate to what I deal with. Andrea is extremely talented and is building her empire. I’m so grateful that she spent time chatting with me about her life as a creative.

Andrea Flores is a Miami, Florida based photographer, marketing strategist, and the founder of Drea Flow, LLC. Mostly known as “Drea” by friends, she is a first-generation Guatemala-American Latinx who wears a healing crystal every day and loves exploring new skincare. Drea holds a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Merchandising from Miami International University of Art & Design and worked at 16 different jobs before launching her business.

What are your favorite ways to create? 

One of my favorite ways to create is through my mind – I could look and study an object and begin to dissect the creativity from there, later transfer the idea into tangibility, and executing it through photography. Photography is my ultimate creative escape!

What made you start Drea Flow?

After working in corporate office environments for more than 10 years, I continued to feel a lack of creative fulfillment and the inability to grow. “Climbing the corporate ladder” was never a real aspiration of mine; however, launching my own business always has. It became clear to me while working fulltime and freelancing on the side, that I could really make this happen! It didn’t bother me taking client meetings during my lunch breaks (and not actually eating until later at my desk), or waking up at 5:00 AM to meet deadlines before starting with work. I would meditate A LOT because it was heavy on me to juggle and at times felt overwhelming, but truly I knew that a paycheck wasn’t all that I sought. This brought me more joy than stepping into an office with no ability to grow.

Client referrals were coming in, repeat clients were staying, and it was then that I accepted what my soul was being called to do.

Where do you often find inspiration? 

Inspiration is everywhere! From simply looking up from this computer and outside at my window – the colors of nature, the sound leaves make as the wind moves them, rain tapping on my window, and butterflies swirling above the cars driving by. Nature is a big part of my inspiration, as is architecture. I easily get lost with the intricacies of structure, design, decór, and open space.

How have you been able to balance creating and running a business?

I’m giggling as I answer this question because, to be honest, the “balance” is a daily work in progress. Sometimes I spend days being more analytical — handling administrative tasks, planning out my next marketing strategy, meeting deadlines, having client meetings, and so on. My body instantly reminds me when I haven’t been creative – as in, styling or photographing something, so I am very conscious of listening to my body.

My goal is to be creative every day – nothing too extravagant or out of my reach, even if it means styling earrings on my dresser and grabbing my iPhone to photograph it during golden hour (that’s the best natural light in my opinion). I do reserve Fridays as my “production day” – I allow myself to run wild with ideas because all of my business-related work has been completed. It’s still a balancing act, but we’re getting there!

How do you find your voice among all of the design trends?

Trends are great to study, to see and understand what’s relevant to the public eye but I don’t necessarily always follow them. I closely observe the trends that will serve my creativity—whether for personal or client projects. After intuitively deciding which trends could be the most beneficial, I take my own spin on them. So in reality, the trends serve as inspiration but you, as a creative, make them your own.

What has been your biggest challenge as a creative?

Ha! Moving past the imposter child syndrome phase has been the utmost challenge for me! I am a self-taught photographer and it took my mind some time to accept (let alone call myself) a photographer. Although I also focus my creative energies in marketing, because I had experience on paper – titling myself a Digital Marketing Specialist was never a problem. But it’s all mental – we, as artists, often think we need some sort of degree or paper to validate our talents.

What advice would you give other creatives who are thinking about opening their own business?

Even though you are a creative, always treat your work as a business! Taking a couple of online webinars and joining entrepreneurial groups on Facebook, could really help. I would also suggest registering your business as an LLC sooner than later, opening a business checking account, create a website (even if you just have a home and contact page), and if it’s in your reach – hire an accountant. Having a plan is important because you could always refer back to it for guidance and clarity.

Be mentally prepared for the level of commitment business requires. It takes time to build it, but a business must be nurtured daily! Be ready to show up, even when you feel like this has been the worst idea you’ve embraced — it isn’t. Believe in your craft, believe in yourself, and give it your all.

Connect with Andrea: Portfolio |Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest

The post Artist Showcase: Andrea Flores of Drea Flow appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Can we talk about Instagram? Instagram is second to Twitter when it comes to my favorite social network. When I started using Instagram, I was very much excited about having a visual-based social network. I was excited to document my days in square images. As it’s grown, there are now so many different approaches to utilizing it. I’ve found myself becoming more and more selective on what I want to document and really enjoy curating my experience. I’m documenting my life + creative journey as well as my fitness journey. I’m also finding people who are creating inspiring work just through Instagram. Here are ten black creatives that I’m in awe of and hope you get to enjoy as well:

Finding Paola

Blogger, Founder of Fanm and Djanm

Reasons to follow Paola: Travel porn/envy, her beautiful headwraps, and all of the different shades of lipstick she can pull off effortlessly

Bonus Follow: Her company Fanm Djanm

AsiaMDav

Creative Director of BUNCH Magazine

Reasons to follow Asia: #WestCoastistheBestCoast, learning self-love, and behind-the-scenes of making a magazine

Bonus follow: BUNCH Magazine

ErikaLaynePhoto

Photographer

Reasons to follow Erika: Portrait sessions, incredible styled shoots, and her ability to #makeyoufeel

VelmaRossa

Curator of 2 Many Siblings and Entrepreneur

Reasons to follow Velma: More travel porn, wardrobe envy, and greenery

Bonus follow: 2 Many Siblings

Ambersb_

Blogger, Toursim PR

Reasons to follow Amber: Coffee shots, bookworm life, and self-care enthusiasm

Deunivory

Photographer, Illustrator, Art Director for Black Girl in Om, and Co-founder of Ivory and Ash

Reasons to follow Deun: Hairspiration, line illustrations, and hundreds of shades of brown skin

Bonus follow: Lifestyle with Ivory + Ash

Ericmichaelward

Writer, Photographer

Reasons to follow Eric: Chicago, beautiful portraits, storytelling

Bonus follow: Eric and Deun’s Instagram: wecoloured

IamSQA

Yogi, Painter

Reasons to follow SQA: Aligned chakras, NYC, and fitness goals

Bonus follow: The Modern Bohemian

Love Little Sampsons

Influencer, Content Creator

Reasons to follow Nesha: Simple living, mommy life goals, home decor

Lauren_Zoe

Photographer, Graphic Designer, Writer

Reasons to follow Lauren: VSCO styling, angles, textures

Who are you following on Instagram? Let me know in the comments below!

The post Black Creatives to Follow on Instagram appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Welcome back! It’s another year, we survived 2016, and it’s time to get things in order. The holidays went by in a blink of an eye and for the first time in a long time, I was ready for them to be over. January is promising to have a lot of opportunities. We’re expanding our business to start offering new services, being a lot more hands on with our clients to help ensure success for their businesses, and working on offering new creative services. One thing I really focused on in 2016 was developing the Sevenality side which left Studio 404 on the back burner. Today, I want to talk about what goals I have for my personal brand in 2017, the intentions behind them, and how I’m trying different things to get them done.

Develop Studio 404 Paper

[Tweet “There is nothing wrong in creating the life you want to live by being proactive.”]

I opened the shop in 2014 and have really gone back and forth between what I want the products to look like. In year one, I was really focused on being consistent with scheduling launches, trying to understand the market, and narrowing down the actual products. By year two, I was overwhelmed but excited about the possibilities of continuing to make paper products. In year three, I could have not been any more stuck. What I really want to do is stop treating this like a hobby and develop it into a business which means learning about the e-commerce space, just not the stationery and gift space. I’ve already begun this process by taking time back to learn what goes into selling products in 2017 and here are a few things that I’ve learned thus far:

• Develop a brand that has a story. There are thousands of other people who do what you do. What you’re selling to the customer is not only a quality product but a brand that resonates with them personality. Why are people rooting for you? Why do people enjoy your product?
• Stay relevant and consistent. By treating the shop as a hobby, I really have enjoyed being able to be super flexible about releasing products and doing things the way I want them. Unfortunately, that’s also how to waste a ton of time and not make an money. Staying relevant and consistent sets expectations for customers. They want to be sure you’re as invested in what you’re doing as they are.
• Social media is king. I am not the biggest fan of this truth but it’s the way things are. If you’re not using social media in the best way, staying current, posting regularly, your brand will die. There is power in having customers who believe in what you’re doing and social media is how you lower the barrier to entry. I really need to work on this part for the shop and will keep you updated.

Some resources that I’ve really been enjoying, that have lit the fire under my butt, and have encouraged me to work harder have been the following:

• Make Art That Sells by Lila Rodgers – I have been following this blog and community online for about two years ago. There is so much talent that comes out of what Lila is doing. I really need to bite the bullet and invest in the self-paced course so I can really understand more about the space I’m in.
• Tradeshow Bootcamp: Paper Camp – I’ve been wanting to attend Paper Camp for years! I wouldn’t recommend a single other event for stationers and I’ve never attended. I am, however, signed up so I can join in on the next Paper Camp E-Course.
• Brand, Build, + Launch with Arsha Jones – This Facebook group is a must-join for anyone who wants to sell products online. Every hour there is something more to learn and I’m really learning a lot! I know quite a bit about e-commerce but there is always so much more to learn and this group is for the person who is ready to make money from their products.

My intention for this goal is to sell products I love without becoming someone who I don’t like in the process. I’ve always had the fear of becoming a different person once I began to sell products. That’s not true! There are so many people who I admire who make a living off of selling great things and I really aspire to do that for myself. Accepting there is nothing wrong in creating the life you want to live by being proactive should not be a challenge.

Create The Life I Want to Live

[Tweet “We spend a lot of time pouring energy into the universe hoping people understand our art.”]

Bless the imaginary work-life balance that we talk about over and over again. I did a lot of things in 2016 for the sake of getting them done. Trying to stay afloat, raise a toddler, prioritize fitness, and develop meaningful relationships. I wouldn’t redo anything but I definitely want to do less this year. I really need to reign in a lot of my energy and focus on my personal development. As creatives, we spend a lot of time pouring energy into the universe hoping people understand our art. As a mother and friend, I thrive from nurturing others which allows for me to do nothing for myself. It results in burn out and being completely burned out at the end of the year is not fun. Some steps I’m taking which may help other INFJs stay afloat in the new year are:

• Yoga, yoga, yoga, yoga, yoga. I really enjoyed getting to push my body in ways I didn’t know was possibly last year. I’ve talked about it before but the postpartum body is its own thing. I learned about cardio and strength training in a way I didn’t before. I’ve started weight training which is fantastic but I need a daily practice. For the sake of my mind and body, returning to the mat for a regular practice is a priority.
• Check in often. Without having time for self-reflection on my mat, I really kept going 100% every day only to crash every night. It’s a priority that I take time every day to check in and see where I am. I really believe knowing where I am will allow for better direction and decision making instead of just pushing myself for the sake of the hustle.
• Go where the heart desires. One thing I did love in 2016 was traveling with our tiny family. I really enjoyed visiting new places, learning about myself, and teaching our daughter through experiences. I want to continue this in 2017 with a focus on places that I really would enjoy being.

Some resources that I’m using to help me build the life I want are:

• Revolution: 31 Days of Yoga with Adrienne – The nearest yoga studio is about a 20 minute drive with traffic from me so I really need to work on practicing at home. Kicking off 2017 with a yoga challenge is the best way to get me to commit  to the mat.
• The Awakened Introvert by Arnie Kozak – This book is on my must-read in 2017. We talked about it with Cat Rose on our podcast and I really do believe in the power of tracking your energy as an introvert.
• Girls LOVE Travel – Another thing I found in late 2016, I’ve become obsessed with this Facebook group. GLT is a pretty awesome resource that allows insight into real women traveling the world and talking about their real perspectives.
• NomadTogether – Being a digital nomad, which we technically are right now, is something I really want to continue to look into. Whether it be the life we decide to live or not, I really have been enjoying learning more and more about living with less and doing more.

I really want to embrace Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu as a mantra and life intention in 2017.  May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.

Encourage and Educate

[Tweet ” Having over a decade of experience means I should be doing things to give back to the community”]

The cool thing about 2016 is that I learned that I really loved teaching others how to do things to help them build their businesses and blogs. After six speaking gigs last year, I learned what I enjoyed doing versus what I didn’t. I really worked to develop a style of teaching that was relatable, easy to understand, and effective. Having over a decade of experience in design, development, and blogging means I should be doing things to give back to the community. I should be sharing what I’ve learned while still learning from others. This year, I want to take time to create opportunities to do this consistently and effectively while still having fun.

• Hello workshops! While these have been in development for a while, it’s no secret that I will be hosting live workshops in 2017. I’m still pulling together details and will be sure to let you know ASAP! I want to prioritize quality, content, and experience while still keeping it small and informative.
• Being involved. I traveled so much that I didn’t have the opportunity to really being involved locally as much as I could. I had the opportunity to be an instructor for our first Girls Who Code classes during the summer which I absolutely adored. I plan to do a little more local events this year to help balance out the travel.
• Connect with entrepreneur friends. Through the podcast, I really have been able to have great conversations with people I’ve always admired. Our schedule in 2017 thus far is no different. I want to make sure I’m reaching out for Skype dates or coffee dates to really chat with ladies who are doing great things. I want to able to support more women in 2017 in any way I can.

I have so much work to do during business day one of 2017 so I really need to wrap this up! What are some goals and intentions you have for 2017 and can I help you achieve them?

The post 2017 Goals and Intentions appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Hey friends! I know it’s been a while since I was able to share some business thoughts and this blog is no exception. I did chat this week about business growth and evolution on the podcast. Earlier this year, I was invited to speak at WordCamp NYC at the United Nations building in Manhattan. The conference took place in July and it was such an amazing opportunity. Since it’s now September, I figured I could take time to write about my experiences in the city and why I’m still in love with the city that never sleeps. I also got through this post and realized this needs to be split up so here is the first half of our trip!

Dear NYC, I’ve Been Obsessed With You

For anyone who doesn’t know, I have been, as most people are, obsessed with the phenomenon that is New York City. As a kid, seeing Kevin McCallister take on this behemoth of a place mystified me. So many of my childhood favorite movies and television shows all seemed to center around this beautiful city that just kept evolving. Tibby Rollins obviously lived there at one point so I just couldn’t have been more obsessed with the city. Fast-forward to last February when David got the opportunity to visit the city for the first time with his work, I think my obsession to get to the city became insatiable. After deciding to take on more public speaking roles, I knew I wanted to travel more. It wasn’t until a week before the speaker submission deadline that a message of Winstina Hughes encouraged me to submit a topic to WordCamp NYC in July.

There Are Firsts For Everything

I was in the process of submitting some other speaker proposals so I gave it a go and was surprised to hear back shortly thereafter that I got accepted. Now after jumping on buying tickets from JetBlue and securing an Airbnb, I waited meticulously for the day to arrive to fly into the city. When I say waited meticulously, I mean I talked about it nonstop for probably four weeks straight. For those of you who think this is really not a big deal, let me just lay down some facts about this trip:

• This was my first trip ever to NYC.
• This was my first trip flying with a toddler/as a mom.
• This was the longest trip we’ve taken as a family thus far.
• This was the first time I’ve ever been outside the Southeastern US.
• This was the first time I ever used public transportation.
• This is also the very first time I would ride in an Uber.

Hello Brooklyn!

While WordCamp NYC was taking place in Manhattan, I really thought it’d be easier as a family to stay in Brooklyn. We rented a cute one-bedroom in Bed-Stuy which was only minutes from the two major subway stations that we used the whole trip. I’ve also been obsessed with Brooklyn since the 90s. As a 90s kid, Ghostwriter and PBS helped raise me and you couldn’t tell me that Brooklyn wasn’t the best place in the world to live.

Let’s Never Leave

We spent the first day exploring Brooklyn. We ate pizza. We went to Prospect Park. We walked among the people who called this borough home, taking it all in, and learning how fun it is to get accustomed a fourth-floor walkup. By the end of the day one, I was pretty much convinced that we never needed to leave. I think I had already mentally made a note to call a realtor. I wondered how many things we actually needed to live. I wanted to stay where I was for as long as I could.

Day two, we were out and to the subway station as early was we could be without seeming insane. For the first time since WordCamp Atlanta, our toddler slept in a different place peacefully. In fact, New York completely drained her which was fantastic.  We managed to get around Manhattan and back to Brooklyn in one piece. We did some really cool things which I adored and I also learned a lot in just two days. I know there are hundreds of articles about how to visit NYC, especially for parents. Trust me, I read them all. I watched all of the YouTube videos of adorable toddlers on planes. There were just so many things that I experienced firsthand so I thought I would round them all up in one section to help.

Tips for Traveling to and Navigating NYC

• This varies per child, but traveling early in the morning was perfection for our eighteen month-old. She slept for over half of the flight was an absolute angel.
• Book lodging that makes sense for you. Hotels are TINY in the city. YouTube it if you don’t believe me. We booked an Airbnb because we’ve exclusively done that for the past two or three years and it was such a good choice. It was spacious. The fridge was full-sized so we could stock up on water and milk as needed. I couldn’t say enough kind things about our Airbnb. It was the best.
• Fly into the closest airport. I was the idiot who booked our tickets and we flew into LaGuardia, which is not so close to Brooklyn. I was nervous because I’d only known people who flew into LGA instead of researching. Also, LaGuardia is tiny which made for long bathroom waits and awkwardly almost getting into the wrong Uber. I know, I’m problematic.
• Be prepared for Uber. I have lots of friends who have used Uber and were freaked out by how much it costs. I mentally made a note that our trip would be costly ($40-45). We were riding with Uber, specifically because they have carseats. There are sites out there that can help you estimate how much your trip will be. Those estimates were significantly spot on. First-time users also can save money from using codes so be on the lookout for those.
• Google Maps Walking and Transit is a lifesaver. I use Google Maps every single day and it didn’t fail me at all in New York. We walked around and navigated the subway system like a boss.
• Bring recyclable bags. Knowing we had to stock up on water and milk at the nearby grocery store, I brought a Baggu recyclable bag with me. Best choice ever! We were able to transport food and groceries without worrying about it spilling over. The best thing about Baggus is that they fold up so small that they fit perfectly in another bag.
• KT Tape. I have plantar fasciitis so KT taping my arches helped me survive the extra pressure I put on while walking.
• BRING A STROLLER. I don’t care what anyone says, bring a stroller. I did not. I carried my near thirty pound toddler for five days and I regret every moment of it. There were so many beautifully amazing strollers that I saw other parents using and I was envious the whole time. I hate everyone who ever suggested not bringing a stroller. You are wrong. While I will say I have the back muscles of an Amazonian goddess now because of it, I still regret not having a stroller.
• The subway is its own boss. I listen to enough podcasts to know that the MTA subways just do what they want when they want. We were delayed ten minutes on one train. The day we were leaving, we couldn’t get into Manhattan because the subways weren’t working. Since it was Monday, we just opted to stay in Brooklyn. Either way, just be prepared for things to go awry. We were fine and mostly everyone on our subway trips were super awesome. I got offered a seat on every trip. The SunRail would never.

Like I said, this article is way longer than I thought it would be. Who knew I had so many thoughts about my trip? I’ll add in some things about visiting the UN, becoming the unofficial representative for Wakanda, and our favorite places to eat and shop next week.  Have you been to New York? Tell me everything you loved so I can plan our next trip!

PS – There are definitely referral links to Airbnb and Uber in the post!

The post A First Trip and Love Letter to New York City – Part 1 appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

Happy Monday! I am doing so many great things for Studio 404 this week but the best is being able to kick off the week sharing a new creative I adore. Corinne of Stuck with Pins is a talented designer, artist, and photographer who is currently in San Diego making beautiful things. I really adore Corinne’s aesthetic. It fits her interests and represents her in the best light. She’s so great and I’m happy to share her work and story with you guys!

When did you become interested in design?

Oh boy, it’s been quite a journey! I always say that I’ve been an artist ever since I could pick up a pencil. The same goes for design – as soon as I was on a computer in the 90s, my hands were finding ways to make art on the Internet, from customizing my Neopets store, creating Xanga layouts and Geocities websites, to designing Myspace pages for bands. It was during the Myspace days that I realized I could turn this hobby into a full-time career when I landed my first design client at age 16. And I haven’t looked back since.

You have so many skill sets! What is your favorite way to be creative?

I love any way I get to be creative! Although, sometimes I’ll get burnt out from design and fall deeper in love with photography or illustration, and vise versa. Or I’ll start dabbling in a new skill – right now I’m having fun playing around with stick-n-poke tattoos as a hobby. It’s nice having so many outlets for my creativity, there’s never really an opportunity for me to get in a serious creative rut.

Which creatives inspire you the most?

Neil Kellerhouse is one of my favorite graphic artists. He’s a film poster designer whose most notable pieces include artwork for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Social Network. He just has this way of perfectly combining type and image that feels moody and mysterious and encapsulates the overall vibe of the film. I’ve watched movies I wish I hadn’t just because his artwork hypnotizes me into it. It’s refreshing to see commercial artwork made with such intension and passion. Some other various major influencers (photographers, designers, and other artists) that have inspired me over the years with their dark aesthetic include: Sally Mann, Kiki Smith, Tim Walker, Richey Beckett, BMD Design, and Jason Levesque, among many many others.

What has been your favorite project in your career thus far?

The projects where I get to combine both my photography and design skills have to be my favorites. The vinyl artwork I did for Being As An Ocean’s “Dear G-d…” album is a perfect example of this. The band gave me complete creative freedom to do whatever I wanted. So I rolled around on my bedroom floor with my camera, a deer skull, a crystal, and the dusty afternoon light from the window, making dark moody images I’d later combine with scratchy organic lettering and found textures I scanned. When I was on tour with the band, a fan actually made me sign it for him. So that’s pretty cool, haha.

How do you stay relevant with ever-changing design trends?

I’m always keeping my thumb on design trends, especially through sharing sites like Dribbble. But I think it’s important to define your own style and not let trends completely dictate your design choices. I can’t tell you how many designers on Instagram all look the same now. Just because you can replicate the latest vintage hand drawn hipster lettering style doesn’t mean you can create a successful, lasting design. By all means, have fun with trends – play around with them and figure out how they fit into your own work. But seek lasting inspiration from the masters – people and work that have a major impact on the world of design – and learn about why their work matters. I’m partially speaking to myself when I say this too since I’m definitely guilty of sometimes making things just because it’s trendy and looks cool. But when I look back on designs I made years ago, the ones that gave into trends now look silly, whereas the ones that were designed with purpose still have a place in my portfolio. All of that to say: make real work that outlives trends.

What has been your biggest challenge as a creative?

Staying motivated and not falling into the comparison trap. I think that’s almost every creative’s biggest challenge, especially in the age of Instagram.

What advice would you give other creatives who are thinking about opening their own business?

Really take the time to learn your trade and don’t be afraid of being a beginner. I see so many people jump into setting up an “official” business without having hardly any experience, and then they just burn out. With this whole “#girlboss” wave, everyone and their mom wants to be a creative solopreneur without putting in the work it takes to go from a beginner to an expert. Yeah, it’s good business to position yourself as an expert, but I see a lot of people stifle their creative growth when they refuse to be a beginner. Take classes, read books, learn the ins and outs of design theory, glean advice from experienced professionals, share work with peers, and never stop striving for authentic growth.

Connect with Corinne: Portfolio | Dribbble | Facebook | Instagram

The post Artist Showcase: Corinne of Stuck with Pins appeared first on Studio 404 Paper.

TGIF! I’m excited to share my first roundup of the year. I’ve decided to round up the amount of links I can find. Some weeks it’s hard to find 10 different things, especially when my time is limited. This week I have eight very inspiring things!

I am in love with this urban yoga photography project. This yogi is so talented and the poses she chooses in her environment are so inspiring.

I love silly Valentine’s Day cards and these cards by punnypixels are perfect for my designer and photographer friends.

I LOVE this new script by Sudtipos, one of my favorite font foundries. The curves are phenomenal and I can’t wait to add it to my type collection.

I’m sort of obsessed with beignets right now and this recipe by Club Narwhal is easy and hopefully delicious.

Grace Bonney always comes forward with thought-provoking articles for the community and this week, her article on copying and crediting was much needed. This has always been a hot topic in the creative community, especially online, and I think that a lot of Grace’s thoughts were on point.

We think a lot of times that creating a website is hard work. While it is hard to take the first step, you have to consider the maintenance that goes into keep a website alive. I loved the tips offered in this article on skills you need to maintain your website.

I love how talented Mike Lemanski is. This illustration for Evernote is amazing!

Speaking of gorgeous scripts, Smoothly is simple and adorable. It has such a great flow between its characters which attracted me to this typeface.

What has inspired you this week?

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Welcome to day three of the 12 Days of Christmas! I’m so excited to be sharing my first guest post in this year’s holiday posts from my very lovely friend, Charisma Moran of Charisma Moran Photography. Charisma is a very talented photographer and creative who lives here in Orlando. She has such a great spirit and I enjoyed sharing her artist showcase here on the blog a few months ago.

As a self proclaimed Christmas fanatic, I love so much about this holiday season. One of my very favorite things about the holidays is all of the bright twinkling lights. There are so many different ways to capture Christmas lights with your camera but one of the more popular options (and my personal favorite) is a technique called bokeh.

Bokeh is a particular quality of blur created in the part of an image that it out of focus. Bokeh is most commonly circular but it is possible to create bokeh of different shapes and sizes. Widely used among photographers and amateurs alike around the year, bokeh is extremely popular during the Christmas season. Even if you are not a professional photographer, bokeh can be an easy and fun addition to your personal holiday photos.

When preparing your camera settings, the most important thing to remember is that you want your aperture to be wide open. The wider your aperture is, the better the bokeh will be. You can achieve these images with the lights in your home on or off, depending on what your preference is. I usually prefer any other lights but the ones on my tree to be off.

Once you have decided on how much additional lighting you prefer, you can set your ISO to the lowest number that will work with your widest aperture. You won’t need an incredibly long shutter speed, the way you would when normally shooting Christmas lights in low light.

Now turn off your autofocus and have some fun! Once you get the hang of it, bokeh is pretty easy and incredibly fun.

Connect with Charisma: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest  | Twitter

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