Hello, fellow weirdos. 🖤✨
You may notice photos on this website that look “real” — portraits of me, styled product shots, or illustrations for blog posts and stories. Some combine real elements with careful enhancements using AI and Photoshop. Others are made entirely with these tools. Sometimes the goal is to dream up little fantasy worlds; other times, it’s to show something as close to reality as possible — while keeping it visually engaging and consistent with the style of this site. Think: my portrait or the product photos in the shop.
Let me explain.
I’ve always liked knowing who’s behind a website. It adds a heartbeat to the pixels. A little warmth. A little honesty. To me, it feels more like stepping into someone’s living room than talking to the scratchy voice of a drive-through intercom. I want to know who I’m connecting with. And I figure many of you feel the same. Human connection matters. Even online. Especially online.
So I wanted to show my face here. Something current. Something kind. Something that quietly says: “Hi, it’s me, nice to meet you! Want a cookie?”
But… me does not like cameras.
Well — to be clear — I love photographing others and arranging photoshoots. It’s one of my favorite creative endeavors. I’ve organized shoots in the past, both for companies and just for fun. Playing with light, props, and composition is a joy.
However, I hate being photographed myself. 😵 And I simply don’t have the time to do a professional photoshoot for every image on this site. I’m still working a “real grown-up job” alongside Weirdolight, and full productions for each portrait, product, or illustration would be impossible.
That’s why I use AI and Photoshop: to create images that are visually compelling, stylistically consistent, and still honest to the real product (or me!) — without needing a full studio setup.
Transparency is important to me, especially now, in these wild and wobbly times. So I want to be clear about what’s what — particularly when it comes to my portrait and my product images.
Product Images in my shop
There are two main types of products in my shop:
Physical products – Produced and shipped by external manufacturers. Clicking “Buy on XZY” redirects you to their website, where you’ll see product images and details exactly as provided by them.
Digital downloads – For example, printable birthday cards. The printable files are created by me. Styled “final product” images (like a card held by a model) are enhanced with AI and Photoshop. Without these tools, I couldn’t showcase them in a consistent, visually appealing way.
These images aren’t about replacing reality. They’re about:
- Highlighting the product with light, texture, and style
- Matching the visual tone of my website and stories
- Helping you understand what the product really is
My portrait
For my portrait, the intention was the same: I wanted something current, real, and like me. I started with a real photo from my camera roll where I liked my face — just the face. It felt honest. I tried generating one with AI, but it always looked like a soft plastic stranger. So I kept the real face.
But. I had straightened my hair that day (which I usually never do). I wore a dress I wouldn’t wear for a portrait for my website (more suitable for Valentines Day with my boyfriend if you know what I mean 😉 ). The background also felt all wrong. It wasn’t me-me. Not in the way I’d want to present myself for this space.
But the rest? Not so much me. Straightened hair I never usually wear. A dress better suited for date night. A background that didn’t feel right. This space — Weirdolight — is like my living room, and when you invite someone in, you tidy up. Offer snacks. Maybe touch up your hair. That’s what this portrait is: a little digital act of politeness. A warm welcome to my little happy place. Hi, welcome, come in! Cookie? 🥛🍪
So I recreated hair, outfit, and setting with AI and some retouching — to reflect how I’d naturally show up, without forcing a full photoshoot.
So I recreated hair, outfit, and setting with AI and a bit of retouching — all to reflect how I would naturally present myself, without forcing a traditional photoshoot.
I call it AI photoshoot for introverts. 📸🤫
The dress? I own something similar. The hairstyle? That’s my natural curl. The window light? Inspired by an actual building I love. This image isn’t a fantasy. It’s me — just skipping the awkward modeling part.
It wasn’t quick. Adjusting light, swapping details, making it feel right — it took time. Honestly, a real photo might have been faster. But not nearly as fun. And me does not like cameras…
I don’t think technology replaces humanity. But I do think it can help us show up in new, creative ways. AI is just another brush for us squishy humans. A tool for play, personalization, and exploration.
So if you’re curious? Go play. Make a version of yourself you feel good sharing. Not to hide who you are, but to express it more clearly. And if that sounds like a nightmare? That’s fine too. Go do your shoot in that party church. You do you, boo.
This portrait feels like me. Not perfect, but honest. And that’s how I want to welcome you: with care, intention, a bit of gothic lace, and — naturally — cookies.
With mischief, meaning and
With curlier hair than I wore that day,
Hanna aka Weirdolight
Keeper of curls, cookies, and carefully constructed portraits 🍪✨
P.S. Since you made it all the way here: yes, there’s a before-and-after comparison at the bottom. Our little secret. 🤫
