Shadows, Stars, and a (Very) Good Boy – The making of the Visuals for Night Light

Welcome back to my blog and thank you for being here! It’s been about a 3 weeks since Night Light was released, and I’m beyond thrilled with how it’s been received. Your supportive messages and comments mean the world to me. This week, I wanted to share the journey behind the album’s artwork - a process as long and winding as the music itself. Creating the visuals for Night Light was one of the most challenging aspects of the project, but also one of the most rewarding.

Finding the Right Light

Artwork, for me, isn’t just a visual addition - it’s an extension of the music. For Night Light, this was especially true. The personal narrative woven through the album demanded imagery that was just as authentic and heartfelt. But translating that into a visual concept proved to be a journey filled with twists and turns.

At first, we explored abstract concepts like growth and cycles - think seedlings evolving or moon phases representing change. But when we saw these ideas on paper, they felt too literal, almost like something out of a National Geographic spread. Next, we tried something deeply personal: using Alfie’s handprint. While it was sentimental, it felt disconnected from the album’s title, and the concept didn’t align with the warmth of the music.

The creative process spiraled into a cycle of trying, discarding, and starting over. At one point, I dug through family photos and found a beautiful shot of the three of us in a bird - watching box near our home. Manipulating it into different styles - sketches, silhouettes, and shading - brought us closer, but it still wasn’t quite “it.” By then, I knew we needed a fresh perspective.

Drinkwater Studio

In August, my manager connected me with Charlie Drinkwater Studio, whose thoughtful and immersive approach to art direction was exactly what we needed. Charlie started by meeting with me several times to dig into the heart of the project. He asked probing questions about my life, music, and the album’s narrative - not to rush the process, but to truly understand it. Opening up about the concept while living it in real time was incredibly liberating. By the end, I felt like he had truly captured the essence of what Night Light stands for.

When Charlie sent over his pitch deck, it was like a lightbulb moment. Everything came together beautifully, confirming that all our earlier experiments had simply been steps toward this cohesive vision.

A Day to Remember

In November, we planned a creative day for the shoot. It was a family affair - me, Katie, and the star of the show, Alfie! The day included shooting the album cover, visualisers, and press content.

I’ll admit, there were concerns about whether Alfie would hold up through a full day of shooting. The producer even suggested using a fake baby as a backup plan, but I was determined to have Alfie there - he's such an important part of this story. And Alfie was an absolute dream: no tears, endless smiles, and perfectly timed naps during breaks.

The day was magical - one of those rare moments where everything feels right. We built a cosy den, played the piano, chased Alfie around the studio, drank tea, and just let the day unfold naturally...

It wasn’t staged or forced; it was a true glimpse into our lives as a family. The final artwork is everything I hoped for. It’s not just an album cover - it’s a snapshot of a beautiful memory, a reflection of this chapter in our lives, and a perfect visual counterpart to the music. I hope you love it as much as I do.

Listen to Night Light here

If you’d like to stay updated on my new music, blog posts, or just follow along as I navigate this, feel free to subscribe below! I’ll be sharing behind-the-scenes moments, music updates, and more, and I’d love for you to be a part of it!