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Jacqueline Smiley Dougherty's avatar

Love this! So happy I found your Substack :)

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Georgia Graham's avatar

Loved this! So interesting to see how resistance towards AI and algorithms is showing up in visual and decorative trends.

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Annie Dabir's avatar

That's what I'm hoping! Maybe there will be some sort of divide in AI usage but artists are definitely standing firm.

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Georgia Graham's avatar

I hear a lot of talk about “touching grass” but I think it extends to a sense of touch and intimacy in general - IRL proximity to products, ingredients, textures, people.

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Zara Wong's avatar

Really enjoyed this post. Thank you — subscribing now!

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Zoë Yasemin Akihary's avatar

Such a good post and inspiring references and I so agree with this. Especially when it comes to packaging and design. I need to see character and texture! Hope to see this come through across everything and we get to say goodbye to white background studio shoots and see more on location storytelling again. And the brands that simpified their branding over the years and stripped everything back to slowly add elements back in

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Annie Dabir's avatar

Amen! I love a good shoot in a fabulous location

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Kenah's avatar

Love the shift we’re seeing and how well you verbalize it - but most importantly, love the shout out to Lauren bamford, who we are dying to work with! Great read as always, Annie:)

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Dana's avatar

Really enjoyed reading this. I can’t wait to see more color and life.

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Jordan Soderholm's avatar

Spot on! The more intricate hand drawn branding is what I’ve been waiting for! And more thought about the exteriors of new builds 🫠

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Zio Baritaux's avatar

I just read this post all the way through and was so thrilled to see Strange Plants included among the things bringing you joy—thank you! That truly means so much. 🫶 I’m looking forward to more color, more opulence and more of your beautiful posts in 2025! 🥂

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Annie Dabir's avatar

Ah thank you for reading! Strange Plants is an absolute delight <3

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Clever Disruption's avatar

This was a fun read. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Cheers!

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Hallie's avatar

I’m so curious to see how I can incorporate cinematic photography in my work. I’m a marketing coordinator for a restaurant group and we’re opening a concept directly next to the White House, essentially revitalizing a 100-year old congressional steakhouse restaurant that catered to the expense accounts and political pomp. The design is the focus as it’s the embodiment of experimental fine dining- it’s giving Major Food Group big time. So film noir and old Hollywood have been inspirations to me for our brand voice and overall visual direction. But not ever having been a film buff or knowing what references from each era are most applauded, I’m feeling so much imposter syndrome trying to curate direction for our pre-opening shoots and social. Not sure why I went on this diatribe here but absolutely loved this roundup, felt inspired after reading it, and your substack is one I look forward to always!!

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Annie Dabir's avatar

Thank you so much! And this sounds like a fabulous place. I totally understand the imposter syndrome. Some people have encyclopedic knowledge of photography and art direction going back 40 years and I just have instagram lol. As for inspiration to draw from, I always love how Venetian blinds add that film-like drama to photography. That might inspire you a little! Good example here: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/236509417927760946/

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