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The House interviewed the wonderful creative photographer Lucia Holm. She gave us an insight into her work and process from across the pond…

As we’re talking to you via email from The House London, we’d like to know if you’ve ever been to London? If not, would you come and explore the city with us?

Sadly, I have never been out of the United States before.  I have always dreamt about traveling and experiencing other cultures, especially b/c I spent six years of my life as an art student.  I’ve had a fear of flying since I was little, and I believe that has greatly held me back from really getting myself out there.  However, the past few months have taught me I have to face my anxieties, and to stop hiding from life — I would absolutely love to come and explore all that London has to offer me at some point in the near future!

Why might people know you as Miss Lulu and the Teaspoon Shortage?

Well, this is sort of a silly story, but here it is! : When I was really little, my older cousin would give all family members and friends really odd nicknames that had a folk-like feeling to them.  For example, I recall one relative’s name being “woven basket”.  She claimed the names just ‘came to her’, and she felt the appropriate nickname for my twin brother was “teaspoon shortage” …Years later, I was signing up for myspace and didn’t want to use my full name for whatever reason.  I decided to combine “miss lulu”, something I had been called by friends from school, and “teaspoon shortage” into one name.  A bit long, but I really liked the combo of the two!

What kind of camera do you use? Is there a camera that you don’t own but you’d love to have or use?

My current camera is a Nikon D300.  I started out as a Canon owner, but was looking for an upgrade and received really great reviews of Nikons.  I do really love this camera—the quality of the images is beautiful, but I have been itching for a new one now that I’ve owned this particular model for about two years.  I believe my next camera will be a Canon 5d Mark II (never afraid to bounce back and forth between brands).

Do you think your formal art education affects your photography or process?

I believe the lessons I was taught in my fine art studies has been crucial to my development as a photographer.  The way I approach each photo is the way I would approach a painting— Normally I will come up with an idea, sketch out some thumbnails, paying close attention to composition, color and negative space.  I will then try to setup a shot in the camera as close to the original thumbnail as possible, and make any adjustments necessary.  Sometimes it’s hard to judge what will be a feasible translation from sketch to viewfinder, but I find it’s much easier to have a solid composition in mind before I actually start shooting. 

Do you feel most like an artist, photographer or professional? All of the above?

I have always felt the desire to create things, even as a little kid. I’m my biggest critic, so sometimes it’s hard for me to really say, “Hey, I’m an artist!”  However, I do feel like I’m an artist, and will use whatever vehicle is necessary to voice my creativity.  Because I am a self-taught photographer, it’s been hard for me to consider myself as more than an amateur, but as the years go by, and I gain knowledge through experimentation and experience, I truly feel like I’ve gained control over the medium, and I can consider myself well on my way to becoming a professional.

Do you have any favourite photographers? Or are there any particular artists that have informed your work?

I’ve always been influenced heavily by films and books, and feel that most of my inspiration comes from those sources.  I have a huge interest in anything macabre, or from ‘another time” … The Classics, old Nancy Drew book covers, Hitchcock, Burton, Wes Anderson, Kubrick etc, all play a huge role in the narrative ideas that come into my mind.  I really enjoy the work of narrative photographers as well— Gregory Crewdson, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Cindy Sherman, Bruce Davidson and Annie Leibovitz are a few people that I really admire, and enjoy studying.

Do you have a favourite place you’d like your pictures to be published? Is there anywhere you dream of seeing your name in print next to your work?

Of course the idea of being published is wonderful—I am going to be part of something of that nature soon, but I am not at liberty to discuss it at the moment…Aside from that, I would absolutely love to do some illustrative photography for books, and to make a name for myself in the gallery world.  Seeing my work on the wall, rather than on the computer is what really interests me…I am currently putting together a few shows, which is both exciting and nerve-wracking!

Lots of your pictures feel other-worldly. For example, many of them have both ethereal and ghostly klonopin vs generic clonazepam elements, whilst some also contain more sinister aspects or feel macabre. It reminds me of the way fairy tales appear charming, yet contain dark and disturbing elements. Is there a particular source of inspiration for this feeling?

I believe that you have nailed what I hope to achieve from my photographs on the nose!  I couldn’t have explained better myself what I hope the viewer will gain from my images, and it pleases me to know that my ideas come across successfully to others.  I hope that the viewer will always be in a spot of “wanting to know what happens next” whilst to be able to formulate their own spin on the story line.

Where (else) do you gather inspiration?

Like I said, old book covers, films, classic stories and vintage photographs really influence my concepts and styles…I like to experiment with different narratives and different editing techniques.

Many of the features in your self-portraiture carry through to your commissioned work, but they are stand-alone works too. Are your self-portraits part of your photographic process, do they allow you room to experiment?

I stand by my belief that self-portraiture is one of the best ways for a photographer to get across ideas, because it gives oneself the freedom to experiment at any moment an idea comes to mind.  I also feel like a lot of the time it’s easier to really “say” what I want when I’m the model, b/c sometimes it’s hard for others I’m photographing to grasp the point of what I need from them. However, I have a few friends who I love using as models b/c I think we are on the same wavelength, and produce great results.

When shooting for musicians or designers for the first time, do you listen to the music first or check out the fashion?

I always do as much research possible before I get to a photoshoot.  I also like to keep an open dialogue running with my clients so they can get as clear an understanding of what we are aiming for, so the day of the shoot isn’t full of confusion.  I love receiving reference material from people, and using that to form my own concepts…It’s a great way to have photographer/client be on the same page before any photos are taken.

Do you have any preparation procedure or can you just ‘wing it’ on the day?

I have ‘winged it’ before, but I much prefer to have a game plan before a shoot takes place.  At the very least, I like to have a general idea of what the client wants (making everyone far more comfortable).  If it’s a personal project, I like to discuss with the model beforehand what I’m looking to achieve, so that they understand and feel comfortable with the concept.

Do you prefer to shoot self-portraits, friends, or commissioned work?

My favorite type of shoot is when I have my own concept, and I get to use one of my very talented friends as subject matter.  I really enjoy photographing something with a narrative, and sometimes commissioned work is more on the “simpler side”…However, it is exciting when I get a client that isn’t afraid to get a little “weird”!

Does taking self-portraits give you a better understanding of being on either side of the lens? Do you ever feel self-conscious in front of the camera?

I am a self-conscious person by nature, but I feel that using myself as a model allows me to free myself of inhibitions and really put myself out there.  Capturing myself in a moment is far more comfortable for me than having someone examine me in real life.  I also feel like I have a better understanding of what makes someone look good, and what makes them look bad.  By studying my own movements, I can get a clearer idea of what kind of positioning is going to be successful. 

Your blog is great because it allows us a small insight into the things that might inspire your work. Do you always feel happy to share your art and work? Is it ever hard to keep your ideas secret?

I have a problem keeping my concepts a secret because I get so excited about them, and want people to know I have these great ideas (in case somebody else comes up with a similar notion before I get to it)—silly, but nobody wants to be considered a “stealer of concepts” …At the same time, I like to keep the full idea slightly hidden so that someone else doesn’t try to snag it! 

Do you ever feel totally un-creative?!

I go through moments where I feel uninspired, but it doesn’t last long—There are so many things that I see on a daily basis that capture my interest, and I am almost constantly feeling excited about an idea.  I could see a scene in a movie, and love the framing, or read a passage in a book, or even see an interesting character walking down the street, and draw inspiration from it.   It’s the exciting thing about life, there are always sources to draw creativity from!

Find more of Lucia’s work here and her blog is just over here

^^Charlie