IMG_2336

08 Feb Photography & Student Life in Paris

As I mentioned in a recent post, Baking Magique is evolving into something more than just a recipe blog. A part of this evolution is taking on contributors on the blog for a couple of reasons. First of all, there are so many talented young bloggers and creators out there and I’d love to see that Baking Magique could be a place where these people could be discovered. Second of all, they can share amazing content which I think most of you readers will love. And finally, this will enable the posting to be more frequent around here, which it hasn’t really been for awhile.

I hope you’ll welcome these contributors with open arms and with that said, let me introduce you to Abby of Lace & Lilacs. She moved to Paris to study photography last year at the same time as I started university to study architecture. In this post she’ll tell you about what it’s like to study photography in Paris and why she decided to pack her bags and move to a different continent.

IMG_3419

IMG_1774

Hello lovely readers of Baking Magique!

I would like to briefly introduce myself and provide you with a bit of background information before jumping into the ‘lil post I’ve prepared for you all.

My name is Abby, and I write and photograph over at Lace & Lilacs, a personal lifestyle blog based primarily around my life as a photography student in Paris, France. I am so very thrilled to be guest posting for brilliant Thea, today… Baking Magique has been a favorite read of mine for quite some time now. I’ve been obsessed since stumbling upon one of Thea’s gorgeous images on Pinterest over a year ago (in fact, I interviewed her this past June, and mentioned just that in my introduction)

Now… let’s begin, shall we?

IMG_3435

6

On Photography & Student Life in Paris 

I moved to Paris to pursue photography, it’s really as simple as that. When I began blogging at the age of fourteen baking was my primary interest, oddly enough. I suppose I had been heavily influenced by the sheer amount of recipe blogs popping up over the interwebs around 2011-2012, and was eager to give it a go myself. Within two years,however, I realized that my passion lay not in the baking process, but in the styling and photography of the food itself. So, I decided to take photo further… beyond the kitchen, if that makes sense. Instantly I fell head-over-heels for travel, portrait, floral, and lifestyle photography in general. I was sixteen around this time, if my memory is correct. 

IMG_2332

IMG_3434

After testing out of high school in the autumn of my junior year, I had absolutely no idea as to how I wanted to immediately further my education. I knew what I liked: photography and writing, but didn’t know how to transfer these hobbies into a degree, or career, for that matter.

And then, one jet-lagged google search in the March of 2015 lead me to where I am today (that sounds really dramatic. It really wasn’t all that dramatic.). I found the ideal school for me. That August I packed up three giant suitcases and moved from a little beachside city in Southern California to my favorite place… Paris.

So! Why don’t I tell you a little bit about my daily schedule, what I am currently studying, etc., etc…

11

IMG_2647

I attend classes five days a week, and have merely one afternoon off this semester. Yikes! But I absolutely love my courses and truly wouldn’t have it any other way. As a freshman, I am taking part in the mandatory ‘foundation year’, which simply put, means I am learning a bit about all of the artistic fields my school offers. My classmates, friends, and peers are all heading towards unique pathways of their own: fashion design, architecture, textile design, illustration, and communication design, just to name a few.

On Mondays I explore different printmaking techniques and spend time developing film and images in our darkroom. On Tuesdays I attend a drawing class. Wednesdays are devoted to a course titled ‘Photography in Paris’, on Thursdays I study the history of Paris and learn the ins and outs of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. Drawing, my only class that meets twice a week, takes place on Friday mornings as well, and in the afternoon I study texts from Shakespeare, Plato, Confucius, etc.

IMG_2652

9

It is all fascinating, and fun, and I have made so many wonderful friends while soaking up the beautiful atmosphere and architecture of Paris.

Outside of class favorites? I adore Paris’s museums and exhibitions. There is always somewhere terrific to visit. Perusing flea markets and vintage shops with friends is oh-so-fun, and I just love shopping for sweet treats, as well.

Oof, I’ve just realized that I’ve somehow managed to write over 600 words. I do hope I haven’t bored you all. 😉

Once again: thank you, Thea, for reaching out to me and offering the opportunity to post on your darling blog.

xoxo!

Abby

4 Comments
  • Sara
    Posted at 17:30h, 09 February

    Beautiful photography, and such a lovely blog! Very inspirational. This really gives me the urge to travel, too. Thank you for the wonderful guest post!

    • Thea Tillberg
      Posted at 21:20h, 10 February

      I’m glad you liked the guest post! Abbys photos are beautiful!

  • Audrey | Brunch at Audrey's
    Posted at 21:54h, 10 February

    I love how you put it. It really is as simple as that! So many people have dreams, but they also have excuses. Abby is so young and inspiring, and I see a great creative future! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s

    • Thea Tillberg
      Posted at 22:48h, 11 February

      She really is inspiring!