Lumitrix
We visited the home of Cara Connell, owner and founder of online fine art photographic print store, Lumitrix, to find out about the photography that moves her and talk more about the power of photography in the home.
Lumitrix grew in the first instance out of my love for photography. I had worked in photography galleries and as a freelance photographer myself, but it was when assisting Matilda Temperley, who is now one of our photographers, that I saw how much money photographers put into creating their imagery. I wanted to help them claw some money back whilst they were beginning to climb the career ladder with a view to eventually signing with an agency. Lumitrix has ended up being the most perfect fusion between creativity and commerce.
We only choose imagery that resonates with us as a team, that is the only true way to respond to art in our eyes. Whilst we would love to cater for all tastes, it is an impossible task and one that would compromise our innate aesthetic so we have learnt to stay true to what we respond to in the purest form.
It can range from being the highlight of a room to being a small piece of the puzzle that creates an overall feeling. I don’t feel photography should be differentiated from any other types of art as its medium is now as well received as prints, drawings, mixed media and paintings. Similar to these other art forms, it is the content of the imagery that will affect how the home feels.
On the simplest level, my favourite photograph in our house is our Tommy Clarke ‘Bondi’ framed print. This is because its large scale and colour hits you every time you see it – it makes you feel warm, alive and invigorated. Normally I wouldn’t choose an image on such simplistic terms, but as we are at the end of February the long winter is beginning to wear me down. If you asked me that question in the peak of summer I am sure I would choose a more thought provoking print full of intrigue such as our pair of Annelie Vandendael’s fish/women prints we have in the kitchen which pique interest and make me question what draws me to them whenever I sit down.
I don’t think it would be fair to comment within our Lumitrix offering. Outside of Lumitrix – I would say Desiree Dolron because of her penetrating travel reportage and the sophistication of her staged portraiture.
It’s the simple skill of capturing that elusive moment. Having been a photographer myself I now appreciate how easy it for anybody to take a photograph, but how impossible it is to get that exquisite elusive moment. Those are the photographs that end up revered like ‘The Afghan Girl’ by Steve McCurry. He captured a look that has haunted and intrigued us all for decades. I am still in awe of what Steve has managed to evoke in me with a click of the camera.
Simple – Tim Walker’s ‘StoryTeller’. Not only do I think he’s a genius, but I never tire of his magical imagery that sweep me away into a wonder world of imagination and possibility.
From what we have experienced interior designers place the art work last in their process. Depending on their style it will either naturally slip into the project so unobtrusively blend in or they will specifically contrast it with, for example, the wallpaper to create a strong reaction. We since learnt from taking a stand at Maison Objet in Paris this January that a lot of designers look for imagery that does not contain animals (for example) and is neutral in tone to ensure they appeal to all sorts of clients if they are working on a development project. It is much more fun when they are looking to create a really creative home for an individual so they can go a bit off-piste in their choices.