During times of lockdown and uncertainty it’s incredible important to take mindful + purposeful action. There’s so much going on that’s out of our control, so let’s focus on bringing as much good into our lives as possible.

While I was working behind the scenes yesterday making everything ready for my upcoming Online Photography Course, I was reminded how CREATING is such a great way to find comfort, calmness and hope.

If you’re staying at home because your country is in lockdown, this is a unique opportunity to boost your creative mind and practice your creative skills. More than ever, it’s time to think outside the box.

So if you’re thinking “how can I create, style and shoot photos if I cannot go out and buy flowers or food?” or “What should I photograph if I’m in lockdown and can’t go out?” Then I hope you will be inspired by this post.

A few weeks ago, I had some friends over for a fun evening. We danced, sang, talked, laughed and cried. Good times. Amazing memories.

One of my friends gave this beautiful bouquet of pink Lilies. Because of everything that has happened since, I never got around to throw out the bouquet. It’s still standing in my studio, dried out, almost colourless and looking a bit sad to be honest.

I looked at the dead flowers and the fallen petals and decided to see what I could do with it. “Let’s create with what you have available” I whispered to myself. This is a fantastic way to experiment and just use what you got. This is like the ultimate creativity test. So I gave it a try and here’s the results.

It was not easy to begin with because in my opinion the flowers had turned ugly. So I was skeptical and I was quick to judge the assignment before I even started it. But as I got more and more into the challenge (with some great music playing in the background to encourage me) I forgot about limitations, lockdown – I forgot about time and place. Such a freeing and uplifting feeling.

I experimented with both the dark and moody style as well as the bright and airy style. My favourite image is the one below. I’m so happy that I now have a photo I love – a photo infused with wonderful memories of friendships and creativity.

I took some photos of the bouquet just standing in the vessel and then I took some more of the petals that had fallen down on the table. I used a 100mm macro lens to get up close. I wanted the texture of the flower petals to be the main focus of the story.

So if you, like me, are at home because of the lockdown, see this as an opportunity to challenge your creativity and up-level your photography skills.

Look around you. What do you have in your home that you can use? What about broken eggshells, used paint brushes, left over food, yarn, a cup of tea, a handwritten note, or some greenery from the garden. Once you start looking, ideas will come.

Challenge yourself to think outside the box and experiment with a new type of photos. Play with compositions, simplicity, light, styling and editing.

• Create to calm yourself and take purposeful action.
• Create to find happiness in simplistic + mindful activities.
• Create to get closer to your photography goals.

If you love FOOD, LIFESTYLE & STILL LIFE photography and want to take better photos. I’m here to help.

Join my upcoming Lifestyle Photography Academy. Now, more than ever, is a perfect time to join an online program. You can study without leaving your home.

In the program I’ll take you behind the scenes to uncover the how-to’s of capturing BEAUTIFUL images using simple + easy-to-follow steps. If you’re ready to transform your photography together with other big-hearted creatives, now is the time to enroll.

In the meantime, take really good care of yourself and stay safe my friend.

Love, Christina