Interview: Lucia Holm
Girl after my own heart, internet famed photographer, and Suzanna lookbook creator – meet Lucia Holm.
What were you doing before you started taking photographs and what launched you into pursuing that artistic medium?
Well, I went right from undergrad at RISD to grad school at the New York Academy of Art, earning my Bachelors and Masters in Fine Art. After six straight years of drawing, painting and sculpting, I was pretty burnt-out. I decided I needed a break from anything art related, but that desire to create was still inside me…I picked up a camera to take a few myspace shots – (oh dear!), and discovered that I actually enjoyed taking photos. As bad as it sounds, I never really considered photography a legitimate form of “art” in my college years. However, once I took photography on as a hobby, I realized how difficult it is, and also, how much of my fine art training could be applied to taking pictures. My love for photography has continued to grow.
You’re kind of an internet celebrity – whatever that means, how did that start? Where did the name Miss Lulu and the Teaspoon shortage come from?
Internet celebrity! That makes me giggle…I guess it started with myspace, and the self portraits I posted there. I was surprised at the number of comments I received, especially on my more “morbid” looking shots..
The nickname “Miss Lulu & the Teaspoon Shortage” actually stems back to my cousin. When she was younger she would give folky sounding nicknames to her friends and family. I believe my aunt was “woven basket” …My twin brother’s nickname was “teaspoon shortage” and I always thought that was so endearing. So, I stole it!
Who or what inspires you?
So many people, places, and things inspire me, so it’s hard to nail down a few…I would say a huge influence are the films and books that I grew up with….I have always LOVED Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, David Lynch, Disney, Lewis Carroll, Edward Gorey, Sylvia Plath, the Bronte sisters, etc etc etc…Influential photographers would certainly be Cindy Sherman, Gregory Crewdson, Annie Leibovitz, Philip Lorca-Dicorcia—I admire these photographers for their use of light and/or their ability to capture what it is to be a human.
What were your favorite childhood activities?
Favorite activities included dressing up as a pilgrim or princess every day after school and playing in my closet (do not ask me why this occurred, I know not), digging up “fossils” in my best friends back yard, writing “science fiction novels” (which essentially consisted of 10 pages or less), drawing comics, and playing with barbies.
Favorite literary heroine?
Jane Eyre, hands down. She is the epitome of ‘tried and true’.
If you could only wear one outfit for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is near impossible! I would like to think it would be some sort of romper mixed with my Sam Edelman strapped booties, but honestly, I think it would be a pair of stretch pants and a sweatshirt!
Style Icons?
Oh so many–Mia Farrow, Twiggy, Marilyn Monroe, Brigitte Bardot, MK Olsen and any female Tim Burton character 
, to name a few….
Favorite movie line of all time?
That really cannot be answered, I quote movies daily…Off the top of my head, one movie line that seems insignificant out of context, but gets me in tears EVERY time is “Welcome home, Mr. Bailey” from “It’s a Wonderful Life”. So simple but it means so much!
You have a baby pink classic convertible full of gas and the week off. What do you do?
Ummm, definitely road trip to California with Mandy (my bestest!)…We would try our luck in L.A., soon realize we are too pale to handle it, and then continue to Washington State. There, we would discover anything and everything Twin Peaks related, and if we had time, some Twilight adventures..
Childhood dream?
To become Indiana Jones, then to be a paleontologist with my brother, then a zoologist, then a ghost buster. Apparently I’ve succeeded at none of these!
Biggest vice?
If we are talking about personality traits, I would say I tend to harbor ill-feelings towards people even though I say I’ve forgiven them…If we are talking about a bad habit, I definitely online shop to distract myself from reality!
What beauty products do you swear by? ( Wow I sound like a Seventeen Magazine column.)
I’m not a HUGE product person, but I can’t live without liquid eyeliner and mascara, of various brands! Also, my hair straightener has gotten me through some rough times…
Your house is burning down ( so sorry) what 3 items do you grab in a hurry?
Roger, the beagle
Photo albums
My old fine art portfolio
What three items from SMV do you love?
The Elsa Caftan Dress
The Wildfox romper (because let’s face it, it’s adorable)
Magnolia dress (which, I already own but adore)
Pick a song of the day!
Dancin’ in the Dark, by THE BOSS!
The end.
See more of Lucia’s photography here: luciaholmphotography.com
