Joe St. Pierre is a lifestyle photographer based out of the suburbs of Boston, MA.
I don’t know about you, but after seeing Joe’s desk on Instagram I was stunned how much coziness some rustic decor and a candle can bring to your workspace. Perfect for some snowy winter days.
Let’s take a look.
Can you tell me something about your desk setup?
My desk setup is really fairly simple and cozy. If something doesn’t provide an integral part to my workflow or energy (not to sound all hippy) then I usually don’t find a place for it. In fact, I only just put a lamp on my desk because it’s been quite gray and dark outside lately. Otherwise, I don’t bother because it’s a reminder that if it’s dark outside I shouldn’t be at my desk anyways.
Is there anything you would like to improve on this setup?
The only thing I would really love to change about my setup is to switch it up with a MacBook Pro. I love my iMac and I plan to keep it for major edits, but being able to get out of my house to do emails, light design work, and general social media would be refreshing!
Do you switch workspaces during your day? If yes, what’s the reason behind it?
I currently do not switch workplaces during the day because my computer is very stationary (and a pain to move!).
Can you tell us something about the items on your desk?
The items on my desk are ever-changing. I usually like to go with seasonal themes and I move my computer placement on my desk quite frequently. Rearranging and redecorating helps me stay inspired and feel refreshed. One thing I almost always have on my desk though is a good candle. Especially through the winter months (my favorite), it adds a real cozy vibe to the space for hunkering down and getting work done.
What are you doing to stay focused?
I give myself somewhat frequent breaks to get away from my computer and go for a walk, or make coffee and a snack. I try to do anything other than going on social media to give my eyes a rest from the screen and get my blood flowing.
Is there something on your desk which helps you stay focused? What is it?
I can’t say there is anything on my desk to help me stay focused, but lately I have really been practicing staying on one task at a time. For example, if I’m working on edits and get an email I try to not look or respond to that email until the task I’m working on is done. Multi-tasking is great, but focusing really gets the job done.
What was your latest self improvement experiment?
Besides allowing myself regular breaks while not taking on too many tasks at once, my latest self-improvement exercise involved setting a schedule for myself. Being a self-employed creative means my work is my life. This is a great thing I’m lucky to do, but this also means I have to create my own 9-5 - even if it’s not 9-5. Before, I found myself thinking and working on-and-off from morning to night, Monday to Sunday, with little guidelines and little time away from thinking about my work. Setting a schedule for myself was one of the most important things I’ve done to improve my day-to-day experience. At the end of each day, no more emails, social media posts, or trying to not think about what wasn’t done or could have been done better that day. This also includes taking weekends off and focusing on spending time with my girlfriend, family, and whatever else non-business related!
Where do you see yourself and your desk in the next 5 years?
In 5 years, I see myself owning a small house with my girlfriend with a great porch and a dog, while thinking about starting my family. I plan to be working on commercial and editorial assignments and hopefully my desk will come with me to sit in a nook office wherever I end up :)
