Pop in

Poppie, welcome to Paddington. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your work? 

I’m a graphic designer from New Zealand with a love for photography. I spent a lot of my professional career in tech and working on the digital side of things, with photography playing second fiddle as my passion project alongside design. I spent a good three years living in Bondi and Tamarama, where I would wake up before sunrise, walk to the beach and take photos along the coast before going to work everyday. I’d spend all my spare time editing photos and procuring a style that was different to other photographers' work. I’m a true believer in 'do what you have to do, until you can do what you want to do', which is where I am now, in William St, in my beautiful store, surrounded by these photographs.  

How do you describe your style?

Salty! I think of my images more like paintings than photographs. Being a designer allows me to look at scenes in a more graphic context. My aesthetic is detailed, considered and fresh. Many of my artworks capture the Antipodean lifestyle — seaside, summer sun-seekers, in the delicious waves of coastal beaches. In saying that, I also don’t like to pigeonhole myself in terms of my content. Many of my most popular pieces are from travels to Paris, India and Hawaii, and I have a forever love with flowers.

Is this your first bricks-and-mortar store or are you moving from somewhere else? And why did you decide to come to Paddington?

This is my first physical space, and it’s also probably my dream spot in terms of location. Funnily enough, I lived on William St when I was 21, and now I live five minutes up the road with my fiancé, Damien, and our dog, Margarita. We are also expecting a baby girl in May, so 2021 is a busy one. My gallery fits my plan beautifully as it’s an amazing way to connect with my clients and form ongoing relationships. 

Anything else you want to tell us about yourself, your work or the new store?

I’m lucky to have been pushed creatively my whole life. My mother is an interior designer, she has timeless taste and style. My brother is in real estate — beautiful homes are everything to him — and my late dad lived life with a design-led ethos. Therefore, it feels natural to me that the most important things about the space are that it feels inviting, and the art is accessible. I want people to come in, absorb the photographs, look for people they might know on the beach, reminisce about their travels, and perhaps connect with a piece that they are then able to take home with them.

Poppie Pack

29 William St

poppiepack.shop