Interview with Summerana Resident Instructor Lucas Dutra

Introducing Lucas Dutra inside the Summerana Membership! We are lucky to have him as a resident instructor at Summerana, and we also got to sit him down for an interview.

“I am a photographer and graduated in Graphic Design. I founded Lucca Studios, in which I have more than 7 years of experience with visual works; I create works in art and artistic composition. I also have experience in the field of digital illustration and visual arts. Creativity is one of the points that I value most, giving rise to countless works with originality and innovation. Child photography is one of the things I most appreciate doing and it stands out in my portfolio, which reflects my mantra: always be a child!

I currently live in Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. I work as an art director, photographer and educator at Lucca Studios. Today I work on two projects: artistic and advertising photographs. LUCCA has service brands that develop our work and also generate content such as: Lucca Lab, Lucca Academy, and Lucca Kids.

Here at Summerana, I want to be able to contribute with unique content that transforms the photography of people who believe in the value of children’s photographs, the children themselves, and especially the essence of childhood, all with art, creativity and lots of love! <3”

If we ask your family, who is Lucas Dutra what would they say?

In short, a creative person with high spirits, and cheerful, in addition to being very patient. I am described as a cheerful and witty person who livens up any place! A very creative person committed to projects and achieving their goals who always thinks outside the box and loves what they do!

 

What was your first year as a professional photographer like?

It was challenging. I started very young, so I had to deal with several types of clients. Some questioned my ability, and others loved the fun experience of the sessions. In general, I always tried to be creative and find out more about the niches and what the work was like in each one. I was learning.

 

How would you describe your photography style?

Currently, I usually present here in Brazil as “Artistic photographs,” but I also like to present as “Painted Photos,” as I work with references to plastic artists and their works, trying to create art by brushing light and shadow on my photos.

Tell us a little bit about your styled sessions

It is always an adventure. I always try to plan and optimize the daylight time in the best possible way. It is rare for me to go to the field without an “Art Direction Project” which describes the whole concept and what I will develop with the child during the photos, from the organization of costume changes to the image script with the scenes and ways that I will “create” the story and plot of the artistic session. I always think about how to create a good experience for the child and the parents, and also to make it flow naturally in every session. So it is an adventure, as it always happens unforeseen and we always have great memories!

 

Share with us your gear and your absolutely must-haves in your camera bag.

It almost always depends on the work proposal, but I always carry my 135 f / 1.8 lens (a tele, for close-up portraits, and to have a big bokeh). My 28-75 f / 2.8 for more dynamic poses and lots of fun, and 50 f / 1.4 for some slightly wider ones, but with a nice blur. And I always carry light reflectors, whether to work main light, to cut out or to diffuse the light.

If you had unlimited funds and you could go anywhere in the world, what would your dream photoshoot look like?

I love landscapes that communicate simplicity and nature. There are so many places that I would like to have the pleasure of visiting, such as farms in Russia or the Netherlands. But also urban landscapes of historic cities in Italy or Spain. I always like to portray childhood, and a time that is not ours, playing with light and softness for children’s portraits.

 

What is the most important thing you’ve learned as a photographer?

I think connection and stories! Since I “plunged” into the world of children’s artistic photographs, I have been studying and trying to understand more about the children’s universe and what is incredible, fun and exciting. They are small, unpredictable, pure and very cute beings! I like to create stories, to build memories in an imaginative world, just as they see in childhood. Working on their expression, feeling and everything that can communicate this sweet phase of theirs. That way of thinking, I learned from photography, to work with children, with their families and always have the honor of being part of the history of each family. That is amazing.

 

If you could have dinner with 1 person (dead or alive) that made an impact on the photography industry, who would it be?

Not from photography, but from art. I would love to be able to meet the painter Henry Hintermeister and talk about how he built his paintings and characters. It would be very exciting!

What inspires you to create?

I often get inspired by seeing, and what calls my attention are always works of art that draw the world of childhood and the fantasy of this incredible time in our lives. I am delighted to see literary works like Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn by Mark Twain, or illustrations full of narrative, characters and colors like Henry Hintermeister. I like to see references in films from other times, to see the atmosphere of the time as in the films Oorlogsgeheimen, The Invention of Hugo Cabret or Oliver Twist. I like photographers who work and recreate artistic atmospheres, who generate value with costumes and a spontaneous and authentic storytelling of the children’s universe.

 

Favorite Quote

“It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.” The Little Prince!

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