I also wanted to share that I started a YouTube channel, with the hopes of creating some longer form content sharing behind the scenes of photo walks, gear, advice, and more, so if you want to check out my first video about this photo walk you can see it below.

Rue des Martyrs - Youtube

Early morning light is my favourite, so I headed out at about 8 am. I got down to the Seine and found the light to be strange- hazy, but not quite foggy, almost like a thick smog had settled over the city. A little disappointing, since I was hoping for that soft morning light, but it resulted in some lovely shots nonetheless.

After a few lovely shots along the Seine, I headed up to my destination: Rue des Martyrs.

This street gets its name from the Patron Saint of Paris, Saint Denis, but has somewhat of a grisly backstory. The story goes that he was walked up this street to Montmartre before being beheaded at the top, near the Basilica of Saint Denis. This lovely little street has shed any somber energy it may have held, though, as today it’s lively and bright, lined with pretty flowering trees, coffee and ice cream shops.

It also happens to be my old neighbourhood! I used to live just beside this street, when I first moved to Paris, and had no idea how good I had it! The 9th arrondissement is the perfect balance of food, shopping, and liveliness. It’s upscale without feeling pretentious, central but not too chaotic.

I arrived a little too early, because I wanted to capture a little bit of life, so I stopped by a coffee shop (KB Coffee Roasters- great coffee) and waited for the city to wake up.

Places to try on Rue des Martyrs:

• Immersion Montmartre - Brunch & Coffee for Brunch

• Pepe for pizza

• KB Coffee Roasters for a great latte and place to watch the world go by

• Le Pain Retrouve for a croissant

• La Meringaie Martyrs for a tasty pastry

• Glaces Glazed for an ice cream

• Crying Tiger for Thai food

• Bon Georges (not on Rue des Martyrs, but very close) for an excellent French meal

• L'Objet qui Parle for a quirky, unique antique shop

• Oh My Cream ! for a lovely selection of skincare

Nearest Metros: Pigalle, Notre Dame de Lorette

There’s so much more than what I shared above to discover on this lovely little street so I definitely recommend checking it out next time you’re in town!

As a reminder, paid subscribers get access to:

• Access to the Lightroom presets I created and use to edit all my photos

• A curated gallery of my images available for download in high-res

• The specific locations and timing in all of my shoots

• All of the details of my camera gear

And becoming a paid subscriber helps me create more lovely content to share with you!

Thank you so much for your support.

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With love,

Cece

And just as a reminder - paid subscribers get all my camera/settings details, location details, presets I use to edit my images, and access to a gallery of high-res images that you can use as phone wallpapers or to print. Let’s dive in!!

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How I work

I work primarily in still life photography, but because I can’t get enough of taking photos, I also regularly work with couples travelling to Paris, who want beautiful cinematic photos as keepsakes! I particularly love capturing proposals, because it means I get to spend time exploring the city and planning the perfect locations for the propose-er. From early mornings at Trocadero to golden evenings running around the streets of Montmartre, capturing people’s love brings me so much joy.

And of course, amongst all that, I spend a good chunk of time travelling, exploring, and capturing the images that you probably see here on Substack. I’m not the best writer, so I think of my photos like taking visual notes. I think my love for still life photography really helps me search for the little details in the world that can be easily overlooked, and it’s an avenue I would love to explore more. It makes me so happy to find a little community on this platform who I can share my images with, because otherwise they usually just wind up gathering dust in a gallery on my phone! I’m going to start sharing more of my travel photos on Instagram, so if you like them, be sure to follow along.

Travel & Couple Photography Insta

Still Life Photography Insta

How I play

When I’m not shooting or editing (which is, seriously, 90% of the time), you can find me trying out new cafes, playing video games with my fiancé, or baking delicious treats. I’m a sucker for all that is aesthetically pleasing, so there’s nothing I love more than discovering a pretty new coffee shop or baking a delicious new recipe.

10 Fun Facts about me

1. I visited France first when I was 11, and remember looking out the back of the rental car window as we drove through the countryside, thinking this place was heaven and I never wanted to leave.

2. I’ve never broken a bone, but I have a perpetually messed up ankle from falling off a horse.

3. I wanted to be a poet, when I was younger. I feel poetry in my soul. My favourite is I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by Wordsworth.

4. My first job was at Winners/Homesense (any Canadians will know) and I hated it so much. I hid in the carpet section most days because customers could be so mean.

5. I love nothing more than waking up at the crack of dawn and heading out with my camera. The beauty of the world slowly waking up in a wash of golden sun always has me in awe.

6. I’m super introverted. Sometimes I think that’s the biggest reason why I love still life photography- I can do it in my quiet little bubble and forget about the world for a while.

7. One of my goals in life is to learn how to sail.

8. The only ‘paranormal’ experience I’ve had was out at sea at night - I saw what looked like a mast in the distance, the lights. It showed up as a boat on the radar too. My dad and friend who were sailing with me saw it too- both on the radar and not far in front of us, obscured by the dark. Within a few moments, it disappeared.

9. My favourite game is Disco Elysium, and second would probably be the Return of the Obra Dinn.

10. My biggest fear as a child was Bloody Mary. And if we’re being honest… I still wouldn’t mess any midnight chanting in front of a mirror.

Thanks for reading - and if you want, I would love to get to know you too, so don’t hesitate to drop a little intro in the comments <3

With love,

Cece

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It was already warm as I stepped outside, at about 7:30 am, but there was a soft breeze to perfectly balance it out. My idea was to do a little series of some of my favourite gift shops in my neighbourhood (which I’ll share soon), so I mapped out a bit of a loop to follow and captured everything that caught my eye along the way. Here’s everything I saw!

The way the sun painted the buildings with light through the trees was mesmerizing. I find the long, blurred shadows can make the most simple frame romantic.

As I passed an entrance to Jardin de Luxembourg, I couldn’t help but grab a quick photo. At that time of the day, the only people there were runners, which I thankfully managed to avoid capturing in this shot. I don’t mind a little evidence of human life in my photos, but the neon garb of the joggers just isn’t the vibe.

I pause and want to get a shot of this beautiful coffee shop every time I pass it. It’s so beautiful! One day I actually need to go in.

By about 7:45, I started to see more signs of life. Construction workers setting up, deliveries being made, and busy people off to work hurried by.

While the streets slowly filled with cyclists and commuters, at about 8 am, I made it to Seine. The roads opened from little narrow cobblestone passages to bigger streets, full to the brim with taxis, cyclists. The air was soft, the breeze was light, and peering over the edge revealed the most beautiful frames of the Seine, sparkling in the early light.

As for the rest of my day - I headed home and avoided the heat while editing these photos. Thanks for coming along with me!

With love,
Cece

1. Finding treasures from the past

   While browsing my neighbourhood brocante, I found an old journal, stacked amongst piles of trinkets and books. The first page read “recettes”, which I quickly assumed meant recipes. However, it was actually a ledger of carefully documented receipts and expenses, spanning from the early 1920s to the mid 1930s. One of my favourite finds inside was an order for ice cream, which of course comes with a section asking how many cigarette boxes you’d like included.

No matter the century, there is nothing better than a tub of ice cream on a swelteringly hot day. There’s something so lovely about reading this little piece of the past and wondering who this person was. I also just love how wonderful the flavours sound — vanilla with a cherry brandy fruit cream? Sign me up.

2. The Bon Marche, always and forever

   The little journal I’d found was bought at the Bon Marche, and it reminded me that it had been a while since I’d visited. I’m trying to learn the basics of cooking, so we browsed the cookbooks in the library before heading over for some very fancy grocery shopping. Of course, I had to make a quick stop the the butter aisle, where a group of people was already formed to pick up their Beurre Bordier.

   

   

   I get a kind of aesthetic satisfaction from visiting the Bon Marche. There’s something about the beautiful products, perfectly lined up, all with so much intention and craftsmanship. I love the tins of canned fish, with their funky colourful designs. I love the Italian section, with multicoloured striped bowtie pasta, squid ink spaghetti, and of course a beautiful assortment of sauces. I love the North American section, too, because it’s the only place I’ve found to buy molasses in this city!

   Beyond the pretty packaging and fun finds, food is always inspiring to me. There’s something about the beautiful colours, the planning and intention that goes into a trip to the market. I’ve been thinking to myself how much fun it would be to shoot the imagery for a cookbook. Maybe someday!

   

3. Summery Treats

   While you’re in the Bon Marche area, stop by Chapon! They’re known for their chocolate mousse, but they’re currently offering a wide variety of chocolate covered popsicles. I took a dark chocolate and my fiance took a white chocolate passionfruit. Mine was great, his was incredible. I’m not usually a fan of white chocolate, but it balanced perfectly with the fresh passionfruit flavour.

4. The heat bringing everyone to the Seine

   When it’s 30+ degrees, life has to slow down. It’s almost mandatory to grab a bottle of wine, a few snacks, and watch the boats go by on the Seine with your friends or your favourite book. Life can feel so heavy and serious when you don’t take the time to slow down and enjoy it, Parisian lifestyle always reminds me the importance of fun in balance with work.

Thanks for reading!

With love,
Cece

Normally, when I travel alone or with my fiancé, I plan almost everything around my photos . I like to find the prettiest locations, best time to visit for light, and shape the restaurants/activities around that. However, this time I was going with a group or friends, so I was in full go-with-the-flow mode. As a result, the images aren’t quite to the standard I’d normally be happy with, but I thought I’d share anyhow.

Thursday

The first day was cold and blustery. In an effort to feel a little summery, I wore short/capri style pants, which I found was a mistake as soon as I arrived to the beach. The sand whipped quite violently at my legs, making them sting as though I’d been pinpricked with a thousand little needles. Ouch. I enjoyed the views nonetheless - the toppled lifeguard station, with seats flooded with sand, the softness of the diffused light on the sandbanks. I took a few quick shots and stayed home the rest of the night.

Friday

The next day, I woke up early and went for a walk before anyone else got up. This turned out to be the best decision I made. When I arrived to the beach, the sun broke through the clouds, resulting in the most beautiful golden light.

I wished I could jump into the water with my camera to shoot from in the waves, because I hate how disappointingly flat the ocean often looks from a photo on the beach, but these will have to do for now!

After a quick spell of heavy rain, while I sipped my coffee back at the Airbnb and waited for everyone else to wake up, the day slowly turned into a perfectly sunny day.

Saturday

We did a little road trip to Biarritz in the afternoon. I wished I’d left my camera back, because it was somewhat disappointing, honestly - the combination of the overcast skies and crowded streets just felt uninspiring. I snapped a few shots anyhow, but none that feel too memorable.

Next time, I think I’ll pack a better lens and shoot the surfers. I imagine some beautiful, artistic long exposures would be beyond satisfying to capture in a spot like this!
Anyway, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading/seeing!

With love,
Cece

Scroll down to see the images I snapped along with all the details. You can also download any of the full-res images for a screensaver, if desired, or download my presets to try edit your own images in a similar vibe! The link to do so is at the end of this article. Let’s dive in!

My favourite part about this little area is the way that the plants just drown out everything else. Even the signs and lamp posts struggle to break through and make an appearance. I think next time, I need to visit at night - the thought of the warm light glowing through the florals sounds magical. Stay tuned for that in a future post!

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I think this obsession has significantly influenced the way I shoot, and the reasons why I shoot. The big, awe-inspiring landscapes are fun, and I love capturing those too- but there’s something so soulful about something that has been well used, or discarded, or is extremely important despite its humble appearance (like a well worn rope on the side of a sailboat)- and even better when the light hits it just right.

A few images from my archives. I hope this inspires you a little bit, thanks for reading!

With love,
Cece

1. Seek Out New Experiences (Even Small Ones)!

   Research has found that when people encounter something unexpected, something outside their usual routine, they score higher on creative tasks afterwards. The brain gets a little jolt, and that jolt translates into fresher thinking. In practice, this doesn’t have to mean booking a flight to the other side of the globe. It can be as simple as taking a different route to work, or wandering somewhere you haven’t been before. I always need a loose goal when I go for a wander, so I’ll usually aim for a new café, a shop I haven’t stepped into, or just a street I’ve never walked down.

   One of my favourite ways to do this as a photographer is by going on a colour walk. I pick a colour, sometimes two, grab my camera, and just walk through my neighbourhood to see what I can find. It always gets me looking at the world differently almost immediately. You start asking yourself: is this too cool of a blue? Does it lean teal? Does it sit well with what’s around it? It gets your brain ticking in a way that a regular walk just doesn’t (and you get your steps in, which is a bonus).

2. Make Something with your Hands

   There’s something about the act of creating from scratch that I find deeply grounding. Baking, sculpting, painting - it doesn’t really matter what it is. It brings me closer to earth and makes me feel like a kid again, watching something come into existence through you.

   I think this connects back to that idea of new experiences feeding creativity. Every time you make something, there’s a learning element to it, a sense of discovery and wonder. The outcome is never quite certain, and that uncertainty, that slight unpredictability, seems to be part of what keeps the creative brain alive. It doesn’t have to be good. It just has to be made.

3. Build Mood Boards for Everything

   I am genuinely obsessed with Pinterest and Cosmos. Mood boards have become a core part of how I think creatively - not just for shoots, but for life in general. There’s something about curating images around a feeling or an idea that helps you romanticise the everyday, and once you start doing that, creativity starts to show up in places you wouldn’t expect.

   

   A recent example: I’d been quietly saving images inspired by market still lifes (produce, textures, that kind of thing) without any particular plan. Then one day I walked through a market and suddenly couldn’t stop noticing how beautiful everything was. The colours of the vegetables, the way things were stacked, how deeply human it felt to have the result of baking, cheesemaking, farming carefully stacked around you. The mood board had primed my eye without me even realizing it.

   That’s the quiet power of it. You’re building a visual vocabulary in the background, and it starts to change how you see the world around you.

Creativity, I think, is less about big bursts of inspiration and more about the small, consistent ways you stay curious. A new route, a loaf of bread, a board full of images you love, all adds up into a fresh way to experience life that ultimately informs your work.

Thanks for reading, I hope this inspires you!

With love,

Cece

Hi friends! November is already here, so I wanted to put together a little gift guide that you can refer to when you visit the city of light! I tried to make sure these gift ideas are as Parisian as possible, as well as suggest stores that are fun to visit for a beautiful shopping experience while you’re in town. I might add to this list over the next month, while I do my shopping. If you have any questions, drop a comment! Let’s dive in!

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Perfumes

• Le Labo Vanille 44 - A Paris City exclusive

This isn’t your basic vanilla. With notes of amber, incense, and bourbon, it’s a rich and cozy scent which isn’t too sweet, unlike most other vanilla fragrances. I recently saw it at Galleries Lafayette, so be sure to pick this one up for the fragrance lover in your life!

• Versatile Paris Perfumes

If you’re still on the hunt for other Parisian fragrances, check out Versatile (which I also spotted at Galleries Lafayette Haussman). The Croissant Cafe fragrance is their most popular, and does indeed smell like a fresh buttery pastry. These delectable perfume oils are the perfect size for tucking into your purse to make sure you smell like a treat all day long. They’re also perfect for people who enjoy perfume but don’t want to smell too strong - they are subtle and hang close to the body.

• A candle or perfume by Hellenist Parfums

These beautifully scented candles by Hellenist Parfums are more like works of art. I worked with this brand to create some of their visuals and absolutely love their products, but especially their candles both for their unique fragrances and sculptural look.

Foods

• Maille mustard

Where better to get mustard than France? The Maille store offers a huge variety of mustards, and beautiful refillable containers for the foodie in your life.

• Beurre Bordier from Le Grand Épicerie

You know I had to add it to the list. At the very back of Le Grand Épicerie, you’ll find massive fridges full to the brim of delectable butters. I’m a huge fan of the Madagascar vanilla butter, which is perfect n a warm scone for an after dinner treat. They will shrinkwrap it for you right in store for easy transportation back to your home country.

• Fleur de Sel de Carmague

Bring back the flavor of France with a pretty little pot of salt from the flats of Carmague.

• Angelina Hot Chocolate

Your friends may not be able to sip hot chocolate with you in Paris, but they can enjoy it once you’re back home! Le Grand Epicerie has a ton of delicious treats to bring home, including a variety of hot chocolate mixes. Yum.

Homeware

• The cutest mug from Marin Montagut

...or literally anything else from this adorable little shop. This little store by Jardin du Luxembourg is full of little gifts which all have a Parisian flair, and it’s such a pretty spot to check out while you’re in the area.

• A beautiful dish from Astier de Villatte

I discovered this shop recently, and it’s safe to say I’m in love (if anyone is looking for a Christmas gift for me ;) ). They offer beautiful handcrafted ceramics and scented candles, stacked up from floor to ceiling. It’s not far from Marin Montagut, so check it out on your way!

• A Tote from Merci

This shop is full to the brim with cute and quirky Parisian things - homeware, totes, clothing, and so much more. It’s a fun place to shop and a great way to find gifts for everyone.

• A croissant candle from Samaritane

I don’t know what it is, but these adorable little croissant candles are ALWAYS a hit. They’re a great choice for a little treat for a friend or a stocking stuffer. While you’re there, make sure to check out all the adorable Jellycats (I saw a Raclette one last time I was there! Too cute).

Beauty

• The cutest hairbrushes from La Bonne Brosse

These are a little pricey, but I think would make such a lovely gift. They are made in France using traditional artisinal techniques, and are made without the use of plastics.

• A customized comb or lip balm by Officine Universelle Buly

Fair warming, this one has become MASSIVELY popular. I’m including it because it is lovely, their shop is beautiful and so are their products, but I’d advise you to go early if you don’t want to have to line up around the block. Two winters ago, I was able to walk into the store directly and there were only a couple other shoppers- crazy how fast social media can popularize a spot!

• The perfect travel toiletry bag by Venitee Family

I’m also slightly biased here because I photograph for this company - but I’ve tried their bags and they’re AMAZING for packing all you need into the smallest amount of space for traveling. When you open them up, they stand up straight, keeping all your products in place. I think this is a great gift for the traveler in your life.

Other

Be sure to check out Le Bon Marche at Christmastime - they often have unique, personalized gift options which can be a lot of fun. For example, last year I got my boyfriend a leather pétanque case engraved with his initials. I also saw an artisan created individualized stamps that you can purchase to elegantly stamp all your correspondence. So cool!

I hope this helps a little bit with your Christmas shopping, or you found a few things to treat yourself to.

With love,
Cece

Note: This post is a bit too long to be enjoyed via email. Read in the Substack app or website instead.

Finding its beginning as a Cistercian abbey in 1118, Vaux-de-Cernay underwent centuries of use, abandonment, and a multitude of owners. Before it was able to crumble entirely, it was bought and transformed into an idyllic summer escape by Charlotte de Rothschild in the late 1800s. The Baroness’ influence still echoes through the design of the abbey today, due to the careful renovation undertaken by the Paris Society Group.

We visited the Abbaye for a two night stay, the perfect amount of time to enjoy most of what the location has to offer. That said, I would love to return in summer, to enjoy the outdoor pool and more of the activities without the chill of autumn.

Currently, the hotel is probably most well known for it’s awe-inspiring brunch, hosted in the iconic Refectoire des Moines. Many Parisians drive up on Sundays for the brunch and to enjoy the property for the afternoon.

During our stay, the breakfast and goûter (the French term for a sweet afternoon snack) is served in the refectory, with candles softly illuminating the room. Amongst the pastries, hot dishes, fruits and juices they’ve lined the shelves with dried flowers and old apothecary bottles. When the sun streams through the windows, it’s nothing short of spectacular. Although breakfast is buffet style, you’re welcome to order an omelette and your coffee just the way you like it.

After an incredible breakfast, we set out to explore the grounds. It felt like stepping back into childhood. The property is open to explore (“go wherever you’d like,” the receptionist had said as she handed over our room keys). From tranquil paddles on the lake to enchanting bike rides through the forest, it’s easy to lose yourself in time and feel like a child again. Bikes are freely placed all over the property, so you can easily hop on and off between destinations. After a quick paddle on the lake, we grabbed a couple bikes and visited the farm. We were greeted by miniature goats, pigs, chickens and a giant Flemish rabbit.

After a morning full of exploring, we headed back to the main building to grab lunch at Les Chasses. Previously a hunting cabin, Les Chasses was probably my favourite dining spot. At lunchtime, the room was drenched in sunlight, illuminating the deep green walls and heavy wooden beams. I chose a delicious mushroom velouté and risotto, while my s/o enjoyed the vol au vent. This room was so cozy, I could’ve stayed all afternoon.

Afterwards, we spent the late afternoon working from our computers in the James Bar, named after Charlotte de Rothschild brother. This space offers the perfect cozy spot to enjoy a coffee or cocktail, and relax to your heart’s content. People came and went through here, stopping for a quick drink or long chat amongst friends. They lit the massive fireplace and music echoed lightly through the rooms. Assortments of books were scattered in the tables, as well as a variety of board games.

After our afternoon of relaxation, we visited L’Auberge, another one of the restaurants on the grounds, just beside the lake. Inside, it was charming, with heavily patterned wallpaper and checkered tablecloths- like visiting grandma’s house for a cozy dinner.

By nightfall, a thick fog sets into the little valley, creating a beautiful (albeit somewhat eerie) atmosphere. Morning, noon or night, this spot feels like a movie, tucked away from the reality of busy city life. Our first visit there is done now, but I’m already hoping for a sequel.

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Today, I wanted to explore this technique on the streets of Paris, so I’m going to share below all of the details - what I did, where I can improve, and other tips I noted while capturing this little series.

If you’d like to see more like this, consider subscribing to my Substack! I post a ton of free stuff and am so happy to be building a little community of people who are as passionate as I am about photography, travel, or both.

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Gear

I shot all of the following with my Canon R5 and 24-70mm 2.8 lens. I used a neutral density filter for some of the shots, because I wanted to shoot on a bright, sunny day- for those new to photography, ND filters lessen the amount of light entering the lens, so you can use a longer shutter speed despite it being bright outside.

This technique can be shot on pretty much any camera- even iPhones have ways of taking long exposures through different apps or the Live photo settings.

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1. There is anonymity in the rain- lean into it.

In the rain, the streets become a sea of black umbrellas and jacket hoods, shielding people’s faces. I tend to lean away from capturing people’s faces too much in my photos, anyway, so I really liked this - I feel it leaves more to the viewer’s imagination. This mystery, coupled with the darkness from the clouds, inspired me to capture a few long exposures. This allowed me to further obscure the people who passed.

2. Seek warmth for colour contrast

The dull, overcast sky desaturated the colours of the city, making it a little too lifeless. I really wanted to capture the contrast of warmth inside the little cafes, with their orange lights streaking out and reflecting in the water. To my disappointment, the majority of cafe windows were pretty dry - I was hoping to find beautifully water streaked windows for a painterly effect. Nonetheless, I got a few shots that I liked, through rain spotted glass. Finding colour contrast is so important in creating engaging images, and the cold hues of a rainy day make it easy.

3. Movement is key for capturing light rain

Unfortunately, this morning’s rain was light enough that it did not show up very well. Instead, I tried to seek out ways to show it was raining, despite the fine drops being too small to capture in the sky. Capturing puddles, or heavy drops falling from the canopy roofs of cafes.

Takeaways: The next time it rains, take it as an opportunity to create some new images. It provides a new subject to play with and forces you to see the colours, contrast and movement of the world differently than in the sun. I definitely need to work on my rain-shooting skills - but I think that this is a good exercise to start.

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Note: Moving forward, I am going to start offering paid posts. In these posts, I’m going to explore different photography and post processing techniques, a little bit like this post but more in depth- Some things I would like to explore include cinemagraphs, long exposures, pixel sorting, compositional challenges, and so much more. I will also share all the specific details about how I took my images, as well as exactly where they were taken so that you can also get some great shots during your trip to Paris!

If you have any requests or info that you’d like, let me know - I’d love to help in any way I can as I start this new chapter.

Thanks for reading!

With love,
Cece

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I shot a little series from home yesterday to experiment with this concept, using one of my favourite perfumes. Let’s dive in!

1. Establishing atmosphere

I love it when brands create a universe around their product, and lean into it with their visuals. Whether your product is meant to exist in the home, in nature, or in the city, this can be the perfect way to create intriguing images which include your product without feeling too direct. Let the viewer become immersed in the beauty and texture of the ideal world wherein your product exists.

2. Silhouette

By defocusing the product and looking at the shadow, we take a moment to appreciate the silhouette/the shape of the product itself. How does the light shine through it? What does the form convey? I love silhouettes, because it feels like you’re extracting an element of a products’ design.

3. A focus on texture

Okay, this one isn’t entirely out of focus, but still hides the product itself with a beautifully shallow depth of field to force you to look at the tiniest details - in this case, the delicate mist from the perfume. I think this would be beautiful with a variety of products, like the tiniest fibres of clothing, the intricate details of jewelry, and so much more.

I hope this inspires you to try something new with your product photos. Thank you for reading!

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With Love,
Cece

P.S. Love this post? Consider buying me a coffee here (it will keep me fueled for my next shoot).

I’ve been trying to think deeper into why it’s important to take photos, especially when it seems like everyone is- just for it to be posted and forgotten. The goal of commercial work is to sell, so what’s the goal of personal work - even if it’s just bringing your camera on a walk? Here’s why I think it’s important to, anyway:

To document.
To create a diary.
And to do so in your own language.

Diaries are valuable after generations because they give real, gritty insight into the way the world used to be, and photos do the same. It doesn’t matter if the diary was poorly written, or biased (read: poorly photographed, edited)- it was the truth to someone.

No two people, no matter how similar their lives, would experience any moment the same way. Two people on the same street won’t shoot the same photo. The languages are different, the experience is different, the intention behind the image-taking is different. The technical skills and tools that they shoot with are different.

Sometimes, shooting an oversaturated place is best exercise is to push yourself to create something new, even when it feels like that thing has been done a thousand times before. Try a new perspective, create a fresh take on a worn out subject. And more than anything, enjoy the process throughout. Maybe it will lead somewhere, spark new ideas, develop skills in a specific area, or just build onto your visual diary.

All this to say, take more photos. Ignore the “it’s been done before” narrative. Your work is valuable, even if you don’t immediately see the value. And I’d love to see it :)

xo,
Cece

is a sip of wind to stay awake

her falling leaves are my fireworks

her sun is my champagne

and her mornings,

hazy and golden,

are my

midnights.

We left Barcelona at around 8am. Fishing boats, ferries and large shipping vessels came and went quickly, making me nervous- from our smaller boat, it seemed they could easily steamroll over us, like squashing an ant. As ugly as they were, there was something impressive about these vessels, interrupting the soft morning pastels with their immense industrial forms.

The clouds rolled along and soaked up the warm morning light, seemingly inflating with every breath of wind. The warm morning light slowly shifted into a cold, blue skied day, and the waves melted into a deep blue.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, it began to paint the ocean in a bright, crisp white. I loved capturing the motion of the waves as they crashed past the boat, their harsh forms becoming soft and flowing when shot with a long shutter speed.

Somehow, waves from the boat don’t photograph as huge and menacing as they really are. At this moment, they’d become so big that it was impossible to stay balanced even while seated, making it impossible to stand up without holding onto something. I tried to get a few shots anyhow.

Dad showed me a colour coded chart depicting the roughness of the waves, explaining that the waves we experienced were about 3-4 meters. Disappointingly, these were depicted at the very bottom of the chart, in a blue-purple tone, on the opposite end of the spectrum from the dangerous red tones of actual massive waves.

Even the places that the ocean hadn’t been drenched in seawater somehow became encrusted in a thick, sparkling layer of salt. It shimmered on the teak wood floors, stiffened the pages of a forgotten magazine, and ensured that my camera’s filter would remain firmly glued to the lens.

The waves calmed in the late afternoon and we were met with a mesmerizing, glassy orange sunset. The way the sun shimmered on the ocean like a silky, oily canvas was awe-inspiring.

The orange slowly melted into a pink and purple dusk, and eventually a pitch black, moonless night.

I spent my hours reading ocean-inspired ghost stories to stay awake. I would’ve loved to capture the stars, but it was impossible with the motion on the boat. You’ll just have to believe me when I say, it was beautiful.

After what felt like endless hours of darkness, a warm grey started to rise from the horizon. The world became blue-gray, like a translucent curtain hung over my vision.

The sun slipped into the sky like a bright orange yolk, and the cold air quickly turned warm. I quickly made a coffee, snapped a few shots of the islands we were approaching, and began to prepare the boat for the days to come.

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Honestly, I prefer to shoot with the models instead of the usual street style of guests and others, I find it more relaxed and more unique. There aren’t many people who photograph the models, so I don’t feel like I’m getting the same shots as the hundreds of people crowded outside shows.

Scroll down to see some of my shots below, and feel free to check out the full post at L’Officiel Baltic using the button below!

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Thanks for reading!

With love,

Cece

I think the most important thing to note when trying this technique is that not everything in frame should be overexposed. I set up my flower about two meters away from a red backdrop so there wouldn’t be much light spillage, creating a deep colour for my background.

I decided that I wanted to see a slight outline of the petals of the flower, so it wouldn’t be entirely blown out, but just enough so that you couldn’t make out the details.

From there, I decided to add a little bit of motion blur, for visual intrigue but also so the viewer could make out the details of the petals in the blur but not in the subject itself. The shutter speed was set to 1/20 so that I could get some motion by slightly turning my camera as I took the photo, and the extra light coming through the windows illuminated the petals after the flash popped.

Here are the results:

I absolutely love how they turned out. I think if I were to do it again, I might try with a softer background colour for a more heavenly, ethereal feeling, but overall I’m a fan of these shots.

Let me know your thoughts, or what you’d do differently in the comments!

With love,
Cece

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I absolutely loved this photo, and it reminded me of an important piece of advice I learned in photography, from Irving Penn:

“Make things manageable enough to record them, to prune away anything inconsequential. Because less is more.”

I read this a few years ago and wow, did it ever stick. It helped me realize that an image doesn’t always need to be full to the brim with different things in order to be interesting.

Take the above image, for example. The original image featured the cake on a plate next to a window, in a coffee shop. I liked the image, but it wasn’t nearly as strong as this one. With this zoom, we can get lost in the curves and swooshes of the icing, wonder what’s hidden in the crushed blacks, and appreciate the detailed vanilla speckles. By removing the inconsequential, the image became stronger.

Similarly, the above glass of juice is set in a scene on a tray surrounded by red berries, in front of a window. However, the scene altogether seemed a bit off. When we capture just the glass instead, we allow the viewer to arrive to explore the image on their own, instead of being spoon-fed each element. The tray and berries are still reflected in the body of the glass, adding visual interest, and the shape of the rim becomes a subject itself, especially with the title above it.

Of course, “less is more” doesn’t always have to mean that we should just crop in every image. Instead, it means to remove anything that isn’t actively adding to the story you’re trying to tell. The objects in the image aren’t the only thing that can speak to the viewer - colour, texture, and negative space are also effective communicators. Whenever I feel like an image just isn’t speaking to me, I try to remove all the “clutter”, ask myself what the essential elements are that I absolutely need in the image in order to convey what I want, and then re-add other things once I’m clear on what’s necessary.

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CREDITS

PHOTO: Cecilia Bilton

ART DIRECTION: Arianne Guion

STYLING: Eve Chen

PRODUCTION: BLAZE PARIS, Manon Guilbert, Maëlle Treuillé, Gabin Willot

ASSIST: Roberta Haasner

Thanks for reading!

With love,

Cece

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