A su-paw-star is born!
What happens when a love and passion for animals meets the creative flair of a photographer who is always experimenting with new ideas?
Find out with the photographer João Carlos, as he describes his incredible calendar of ‘Renaissance Pawtraits’ depicting animals as the subjects of Renaissance art.
The result is almost unbearable cuteness, featuring funny and adorable dogs, cats, chickens and horses decked out in the style of the time.
Each month is dedicated to a specific animal, which sits proudly on its own page and raises a smile with an inspired and carefully assembled photo montage.
As is so often the case, this original idea came from a combination of creativity and necessity.
When the chips are down, the mind tends to spring into action and find unexpected solutions.
And if the result is printed items as good as this, let’s hope it’s a regular occurrence!
Now over to Carlos to describe who he is, what he does and how he produced his piece of design.
Happy reading!
Who are you? Tell us about yourself, what you get up to in life, and your dreams, aspirations and talents. A short but faithful portrait!
My name is João Carlos, which translates to John in English. I have embarked on a captivating journey as a commercial advertising fashion portrait photographer for over 25 years. Born to Portuguese parents in New York, I have experienced the contrasting worlds of Portugal and New York throughout my life. It’s a fascinating dichotomy, with New York representing the bustling epicenter of modernity, while Lisbon embodies a city steeped in history and rich in diverse cultures. This blend of old and new influences has shaped my identity, and I embrace the unique qualities of both places.
Interestingly, my creative journey initially began with a passion for painting. As a child, I was always engrossed in drawing and art. However, when I entered college, I made a decisive shift and redirected my focus toward photography. Since then, I have embraced this visual medium wholeheartedly, finding immense fulfilment and never looking back on my choice.
Through my lens, I strive to capture the essence of fashion and portraiture, infusing them with my unique perspective and artistic vision. Creating captivating visuals that tell stories, evoke emotions, and leave a lasting impact brings me great joy. Photography has become not just my profession, but a true passion that allows me to express myself creatively and connect with people in profound ways.
As I continue to grow and evolve as a photographer, I am excited to explore new avenues, experiment with innovative techniques, and collaborate with talented individuals in the fashion industry. My goal is to push the boundaries of my craft, constantly seeking inspiration and finding fresh ways to capture beauty, authenticity, and the essence of the human spirit.
In essence, I am João Carlos, a photographer who cherishes the interplay between contrasting worlds, draws from a background in painting and is dedicated to creating stunning fashion portraits that resonate with viewers.
Before telling us how your idea was born, can you explain to our readers what you produced using our printing services?
Certainly! As you can see from my previous response, I have a diverse range of photography projects that I work on. One of the areas I specialize in is pet photography, which led me to create a separate website and social media presence dedicated to capturing the beauty of dogs, cats, and horses.
To showcase my work in this niche, I decided to create a calendar featuring my pet photography. I had accumulated a vast portfolio of stunning animal images that didn’t quite fit with my other creative endeavours. So, I thought it would be a great idea to compile these images into a calendar that pet lovers can enjoy throughout the year.
I turned to Pixartprinting services to bring my vision to life. Their platform allowed me to customize the design, layout, and selection of images for the calendar. With their printing options, such as different paper types, sizes, and finishes, I was able to create a high-quality and visually appealing product that truly showcases the beauty of these animals.
The calendar serves not only as a showcase of my pet photography skills but also as a practical and decorative item for pet owners and enthusiasts. It allows them to enjoy captivating images of animals while keeping track of important dates and events.
Working with Pixartprinting services has been a seamless experience, and I am thrilled with the final result. It has provided me with a valuable marketing tool to attract potential clients who appreciate my unique talent for capturing the personalities and emotions of pets.
I hope this gives readers a better understanding of the product I produced using Pixartprinting services and the passion I have for pet photography.
Let’s go back to the moment it all began. When did you come up with the idea for this design? Did you stumble across it by chance? Tell us a bit about how you devised the concept.
Well, the concept for my images came about from some experimentation in Photoshop, where I explored what could be created. During this process, I came across an image of a spaceman in a space suit, and it immediately sparked my imagination. Considering that my company is called Star PAWS PHOTO, I felt that incorporating this image into my work would create an incredible picture. I believe that for many pet owners, their pets are more than just animals; they are like children to us. They deserve all the love and attention we can give them. By creating these images, I aimed to humanize the pets and establish an even closer connection to them.
Once I had the idea, I knew I wanted to set specific goals. One part of that was preparing for an exhibition, and the other part was creating a calendar. In previous years, I had seen calendars and always told myself that I would make one, but I never followed through. This year, I was determined to change that. Seeing my work in print and having a physical version of the calendar brought me great joy and satisfaction. It was a way to showcase my talent and share my art with others.
Overall, the concept for this design came to me through experimentation and a desire to create something unique. It was a combination of inspiration from the spaceman image, the connection between pets and their owners, and the goal of bringing my work to a wider audience through exhibitions and calendars.
Once you had found the right idea, you had to set an objective. What did you want to achieve with your idea?
Well, the design process was quite straightforward. I created the entire design layout using Canva and then exported the images as PDF files for printing. To ensure the best results, I conducted around two test runs before finally printing out the final versions. It was important for me to ensure that the printed calendars met my expectations in terms of quality and aesthetics.
It’s time to print! How did you use print-on-demand to produce your design? Which materials did you choose? And why did you choose these materials and this printing technique?
When it came time to print my design, I decided to utilize print-on-demand services. This allowed me to have my design professionally printed and fulfilled as orders came in, eliminating the need for upfront inventory or large printing batches. It provided flexibility and convenience in managing the production process.
For the materials, I carefully considered the options available through the print-on-demand service. I wanted to choose materials that would enhance the overall quality and appeal of the calendars. After reviewing the available choices, I opted for high-quality paper with a glossy finish. This choice not only provided durability but also added a touch of elegance to the final product.
As for the printing technique, I relied on the expertise of the print-on-demand service. They utilized digital printing technology, which offered vibrant colors and precise details. This technique ensured that the images from my design would be faithfully reproduced with clarity and accuracy.
Overall, the decision to use print-on-demand services allowed me to streamline the printing process and produce calendars on demand as orders were received. The choice of high-quality paper with a glossy finish and the utilization of digital printing technology ensured a visually appealing and professional result.
Now it’s time to make the most of the products you created. In your case, the aim was to produce calendars with portraits of cute animals dressed as renaissance characters. How did it feel to see the printed calendars ready to be admired day by day?
It was a straightforward process. I created the design features using Canva, saved and exported them, and then uploaded them to the Pixartprinting website. After that, I patiently waited for about a week until a package arrived in the mail, containing the beautiful printed calendars. It was a truly exhilarating moment to see the final product ready to be admired day by day.
Initially, the calendars served as promotional pieces that I offered to my clients for Christmas. However, I later decided to add a badge on my website and promote them on social media for sale, allowing me to generate some additional income. The sales essentially covered the production costs. Looking ahead, I plan to be even more proactive next year, launching the calendars in September or October to take full advantage of the pre-sales period. This will allow me to better plan and capitalize on the demand for the calendars.
Overall, the experience of printing and seeing my creation come to life was incredibly rewarding. There is something special about holding a tangible product in your hands and witnessing the realization of your artistic vision. It affirmed the belief that everything is different and even better when you bring your creations into the physical realm through printing.
This is only the start! What other projects do you have planned for the future? Can you share them with us?
I have exciting projects planned for the future. First and foremost, I am looking forward to creating new calendars for the upcoming year. Building on the success of the previous calendar featuring portraits of cute animals dressed as Renaissance characters, I aim to continue captivating my audience with fresh and creative designs.
Additionally, I am currently working on a project involving packaging for an interactive visual light pattern guide. This endeavor aims to provide users with an engaging and immersive experience through light patterns. However, I have encountered some challenges with the packaging design, which I am actively working to overcome. I believe that this project has great potential to merge artistry and interactivity, and I am determined to find the best solution for the packaging.
These are the primary projects that I currently have on hand. However, as a creative individual, I am always open to new opportunities and collaborations. I continuously seek to expand my artistic horizons and explore different mediums and themes. Whether it’s venturing into new photography genres or experimenting with innovative techniques, I am excited to see where my artistic journey takes me in the future.
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Joaocarlosphot
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joaocarlosphoto/