The Story Behind Lucie’s Portrait
I recently photographed Lucie, a DJ, musician and comedian, as part of my ongoing portrait series on mental health. The series tries to show strength, vulnerability and the quiet resilience of people dealing with difficult emotions.
Meeting Lucie
Lucie’s creative energy and authenticity left a lasting impression on me. Known for her involvement with collectives such as Stripped Sets and Degenerates, she brings a strong sense of community and connection to her work. Her Bandcamp profile, which sets out the themes in her music and comedy, resonated with the emotional depth I seek to capture through this project.
The Photoshoot Experience
My objective was to portray Lucie in a classical and evocative style, capturing the strength that sits beneath the surface. The shoot took place in a studio environment designed to evoke a sense of personal space, not literally her own, but imagined as an intimate setting reflective of her aesthetic. The resulting portraits aim to offer viewers a window into Lucie’s world, rich with character and introspection.
Symbolism in the Set
The visual elements incorporated into the shoot were selected for their symbolic value. These were not arbitrary props but meaningful extensions of the themes we discussed during the creative process. The goal was to allow each item to serve as a narrative device, contributing subtle layers to the final images.
Lucie’s Contribution to the Creative Community
Based in Norwich, Lucie is an artist whose work spans multiple disciplines. Her commitment to creating inclusive, genre-defying experiences is evident in her music, which often blends Afrobeat, trip-hop, and techno. Through her performances and community engagement, she builds a spirit of joy, connection, and diversity, qualities that translate powerfully into visual storytelling.
Reflections on Collaboration
Lucie’s feedback following the shoot was both thoughtful and generous. She shared that she felt “seen, understood, and listened to,” which, for me, affirmed the collaborative trust we had built. Her words underscored the importance of creating a respectful environment where subjects feel genuinely supported in sharing their stories.
Beyond a Photoshoot: A Continuing Dialogue
This session with Lucie was not merely about image-making. It served as a meaningful dialogue, one that contributes to the broader themes of my mental health project. It reminded me once again of the ability of portraiture to reach beyond surface appearances and invite viewers into deeper emotional and psychological territory.
Lucie continues to develop her work across various platforms, including music, comedy, and online media. To stay updated with her projects, you can follow her on Spotify, Instagram, and YouTube, or subscribe to her mailing list for forthcoming releases and performances.
