We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Loli Lucaciu a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Loli thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

I received my first 8 years of formal education in Romania, where theory was key. I appreciated that we had 15+ subjects to take every year, progressing in difficulty year-to-year, including a few foreign languages; studying those across more than a decade gives one a sense of breadth of knowledge, however superficial some of that knowledge may turn out to be in practice. Initiative and creativity weren’t particularly encouraged since the system seemed to run best on a post-communistic focus on obedience and quiet respect for your elders.

Transitioning to the American educational system in 9th grade, I noticed a focus on intro-level “practice” — less theory, more doing, especially in the sciences. Worth mentioning that this “doing” seemed to live at a very basic level, and accomplishing the bare minimum was worth celebrating. Initiative and creativity were encouraged, yet these could easily bridge over into disrespecting teachers: if learning means thinking outside the box, why couldn’t X think outside a teacher’s boundaries in the classroom?

In college, advanced theory met confident initiative and my two educational universes seemed to come together. I think an ideal educational system would live at the intersection of influences from both systems mentioned above — one that challenges the brain, feeding it more complex info knowing it could digest it, together with a focus on creativity and going off the beaten path. For primary schooling, it may look like combining Montessori education with the rigors of European theoretical materials. I think the key is at the crux of creativity, and depth and breadth of knowledge, and the confidence to put those together in practical ways.

I would add that students of all levels of education would benefit from Life Classes that focus on personal finance, discovering your spiritual path, and individual + group psychology. We leave a lot of that essential work on each person’s ability to do it when they can, how they can, and then wonder why people are not adjusted beyond bare survival. That personal work is hard, and having teachers and specialists guiding the process would be extremely beneficial on personal, collective and societal levels. It shouldn’t be seen as a luxury of time, means and openness — we should all have access to ways that open us to thriving, versus just surviving.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, But before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?

I’m a Romanian writer, photographer and strategist, capturing moments, stories and feelings across mediums. With a keen interest in people-stories and the ways we live our lives, I wrote for CNN, Collider, Looper, Seattle Magazine, Darling Magazine, and photographed for WWD, New York Fashion Week, Nike, The Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Atlantan and Jezebel Magazine, among others. Outside of print, my portraiture work was exhibited in Emory University’s Schwartz Center of Performing Arts, next to artist Ross Rossin’s original work. My creative assignments included photographing President Jimmy Carter and the pop bands The Shadowboxers and LANY, and interviewing top players in the creative field, from nationally-recognized visual artist Fahamu Pecou to Grammy-nominated composer Joel Thompson.

In addition to my freelance photography and writing projects, I also managed content strategy for Lyft, and lead creative marketing efforts for The Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta and the creative agency Future Colossal in NYC. I’m currently leading editorial strategy projects for Gap Inc. and its brands — Gap, Old Navy, Athleta, Banana Republic and Yeezy Gap.

As an Emory University alumna, I was selected as the 2017 Rosemary Magee Fellow in the Arts, and as the Head of Communications for the Emory Creative Alumni Board, opportunities that allowed me to continue to grow and effect change on the Emory campus and in the Atlanta community. I was also the youngest mayoral appointee for City of Atlanta’s Task Force for the Arts and the youngest juror for the Art on the Atlanta BeltLine public art exhibition — a project supporting one of the largest, most wide-ranging urban redevelopment programs in the country.

While I love being behind the lens, I also stepped in front of it. As a model, I worked for Aveda, FashionTV and Wahoo Fitness and collaborated with numerous photographers and videographers in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Miami.

I believe in chance encounters that lead to provocative creative work, and I welcome bold ideas. I hope to continue to amplify people’s stories and to keep on highlighting what is beautiful and unifying for a diverse and inclusive “we.”

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of creating something that hasn’t been in this world before is two-fold: first, ripping at the seams of my previous limitations, expanding my notion of self and personal capability. And second, trying to do that for others, who may read or interact with my work and have a small moment of discovery or compassion, toward themselves or others.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

An open-mind. Sounds easy, but putting yourself out there in the physical world and online, and sharing your work, skills and intentions will lead you not only to new opportunities, but also to new friends and more ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lolilucaciu.com/
• Instagram: @lolilucaciu @racontessa
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loli.lucaciu/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/loli-lucaciu/

Image Credits
Last three photos – Loli Lucaciu