HNIRL: Julia from _vivarium and hautecupoftea
Meet Julia from _vivarium & hautecupoftea.
Hi Julia! Tell us about you and your work, where are you from? What got you started?
I’m a photographer and creative based in Montana, working primarily with analog film, self-portraiture, and small-batch printed matter. My practice centers around quiet observation — everyday spaces, reflective surfaces, and the emotional texture of being human. I started photographing as a teenager and never really stopped. Over time, it became less about documenting and more about using images as a way to process memory, identity, and change. Alongside photography, I run a small mail-based art project and vintage resale business, and I love building slow, tactile experiences around image-making.
What is your favorite part about what you do?
I love the slowness. Shooting film, waiting for scans, assembling prints, packaging orders — all of it feels intentional and grounding. I also love knowing that something I made with my hands ends up living in someone else’s space and becoming part of their daily environment in a quiet way.
Where can our customers learn more about your art?
You can find my work and projects at vivarium.photo, and I’m most active on Instagram at @vivarium.jpg. My mail club, prints, and small-batch releases are available through my site
Lastly, what is your favorite piece of HN jewelry?
My favorite piece is the Charm Ring. I love how it feels simple and delicate, but still carries a quiet sense of magic. It’s the kind of piece I reach for daily and never feel the need to take off.
