Studio Bicyclette

Current life (and work, and design) mantra ☁️
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I don’t know when it started or the exact turning point, but I find myself repeating this over and over again. Out loud, in my head, over and over.
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It’s a desire for simplicity, but beyond that, intention and a certain level of beauty and craftsmanship and all that good stuff.
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I believe it was inimitable Don Draper that said, “Make it simple but significant”, and who am I to argue with the ad man himself?

There are a few unexpected items that show up at a lot of our photoshoots, whether for a client or a brand editorial, and generally our reasoning behind them has something to do with tapping into our senses, and the feeling we're trying to evoke.
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Case in point — hand cream.
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But not just any drugstore find, this is about being intentional and paying attention to how the specifics will help tell your story. Here's my reasoning:
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No. 1 — Packaging design. Beautiful packaging immediately communicates that you value design and can help hint at the style of the brand, so pay attention to the type, the overall layout, the material or finishes, and the colour palette. Soft and feminine? Bold and colourful? Refined and understated?
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No. 2 — The suggestion of how it will feel. Luxurious and ritualistic, it triggers that when we see it because we imagine the experience of using the product. This goes for any prop — think through how it will be used and what that communicates about the story. Same for scent, if it's listed.
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No. 3 — Imperfection and authenticity. When I'm styling a scene, I want it to feel REAL. And to me, imperfection is beautiful and focusing again on how something is actually used, creates that sense of authenticity. So the subtle dents in the tube suggest a human touch in this case, and the shadows speak to the time of day. I would also play with removing the cap and even showing a bit of the cream itself, so we get a bit of the texture too.

You know it’s photo shoot time when all the pretty textures are scattered around the studio. Leaning into shades of white, delicate details and untraditional, “cool girl” wedding vibes for an upcoming client editorial. Here for it 🤍

Stay curious, darling.

Because nothing beats a handwritten, custom wordmark.
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There's a time and place for handwritten fonts (in my opinion, used minimally as an accent, and never for a primary logo), but if you're looking to incorporate a hand-drawn element to your brand, it's better to explore a custom option. You get that beautiful, imperfect quality, and there's nothing quite as special as hand-lettering that's done just for you and your brand.
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From one of our semi-custom brand suites, which includes a handwritten option that was lovingly reimagined for our client 🤍

Curating a prop collection is a slow, ongoing process. And one that I happen to love. A lot.
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It requires a clear understanding of your brand story and style, knowing how you’ll be using each piece and what colours, textures, shapes and materials will work best to bring your vision to life.
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Many of my favourites come from thrift or antique shops, and then I’m constantly perusing independent boutiques for pieces to add to the collection. Books, ceramics, textiles and glassware always top my list, and and it’s like a treasure hunt, and a challenge to envision how an item might be used or incorporated in a way that might be different from its intended use.
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A few (current) favourites, waiting for their chance in the styling spotlight ✨

Current mood 💫