THE STORIES BEHIND MY MOST POPULAR PRINTS OF 2024
The stories behind my most popular prints of 2024 by Karl Mackie
Every piece of art carries a story, and for me, photography is about more than just capturing an image, it’s about preserving a moment, a feeling, or an experience that speaks to something universal. Over the years, certain prints have resonated with collectors more than others, not just because of their aesthetic appeal, but because of the stories behind them. These are the narratives that give the images life and meaning, transforming them from visual art into pieces of emotional connection.
In this article, I want to share the stories behind some of my most popular prints of 2024. These stories are as much a part of the artwork as the photograph itself, and they remind me of the importance of storytelling in creating art that truly resonates.
1. THE DUKE
The Story Behind it: My first professional assignment in Hawaii was everything I’d hoped for and more. The Big Island greeted me with its unique blend of raw beauty and vibrant culture, and as soon as the shoot wrapped, we hopped over to Honolulu. Staying in Waikiki felt like stepping into a postcard, with the palm trees and the ocean. The unmistakable hum of a place alive with history and energy. It was my first time working in Hawaii, and I was eager to get out with my film camera, ready to capture moments that would do justice to the spirit of this place.
Hawaiian surf culture had been a fascination of mine since I was a kid. I’d grown up devouring books about surf legends, their lives, and their connection to the ocean. Being here, in a place that had birthed so much of that culture, was surreal. I spent my free time walking the streets, shooting as much as I could, soaking in the atmosphere. Every corner seemed to hold something extraordinary, and I was determined to preserve those moments on film.
That’s when I came across The Duke. The towering statue of Duke Kahanamoku, the father of modern surfing, an icon in both Hawaiian and global surf culture stood as a beacon of his legacy. It wasn’t just the size of the statue that struck me; it was the energy around it. Duke represents something larger than life. Hawaiian history, aloha spirit, and the soul of surfing itself. But as much as I wanted to capture this, it seemed impossible.
The area was crowded, swarming with tourists eager to take selfies and pay tribute. There wasn’t a moment of stillness, no opportunity for the kind of shot I was envisioning. So, I carried on, but the statue lingered in my mind. I couldn’t shake the idea of capturing it in a way that felt true to its magnitude.
Later that night, as the crowds thinned but didn’t quite disappear, I returned to Duke’s statue, determined to find a way. The lighting had changed, and the scene took on a new mood. The warm glow of streetlights illuminated the palms, giving them a soft, almost ethereal quality. I set up my tripod and decided to try a long exposure, hoping to work some magic with my film camera.
When I developed the shot, I was stunned. The long exposure had transformed the scene. The people, so persistent and immovable in the moment, had vanished, leaving Duke in a serene and undisturbed spotlight. The soft illumination of the trees framed him perfectly, creating a timeless, almost otherworldly feel. It was as if the camera had distilled the essence of the moment, removing distractions and allowing the spirit of Duke and his legacy to shine through.
This print remains one of my favourites, not just for its visual qualities, but for what it represents. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the shots aren’t easy, they require patience, persistence, and a bit of creative risk. It also captures the magic of Hawaii and its ability to inspire those who visit, even for a short while.
When I look at this image, I see more than just the statue or the palms. I see my first encounter with the heart of Hawaiian culture, the energy of Duke’s legacy, and the quiet determination it took to create a moment that felt worthy of capturing. This isn’t just a photograph, it’s a memory, a connection, and a celebration of everything Hawaii represents.
The Duke, Hawaii by Karl Mackie
2. THE LAKEHOUSE
The Story Behind it: The Lake District is a place of timeless beauty, and I’d been fortunate enough to plan a photography workshop with the brand Another Place in this extraordinary corner of England. Before the workshop, I made the long drive from Cornwall to the Lake District in winter, a journey that brought me into a world transformed by snow and crisp, clear air. This recce wasn’t just about preparation, it was about immersing myself in the landscape, exploring its moods, and finding the stories I wanted to share through my lens.
On the day I captured this image of The Lakehouse, I had spent the morning walking a route upwards to Helvellyn, one of the region’s iconic peaks. The climb was breathtaking, with snow on the hills and mountains. I photographed the dramatic landscapes, but I knew I hadn’t yet captured the image I’d been envisioning.
The lakehouse had been on my mind the entire time. Something is captivating about its quiet charm, the moss-covered roof, the way it hugs the shoreline, and the sense of solitude it evokes. But I knew I needed to photograph it at the right moment, when the light and stillness of the lake could truly do it justice.
After descending from Helvellyn, I decided that evening would be the perfect time. The air was cold, biting in that way only winter evenings can be, but the stillness of the lake and the faint glow of light fading into dusk made it perfect.
The result was this image. The long exposure smoothed the surface of the lake, giving it a serene, almost glass-like quality. The snow-dusted mountains in the background stood quietly, framing the lake house in a way that felt both grounded and ethereal. The calmness of the water, the faint winter light, and the soft textures of the landscape came together to create something that felt timeless, a moment of perfect stillness amidst the grandeur of the Lake District.
What I love most about this print is its simplicity and serenity. It doesn’t shout for attention; instead, it draws you in with its quiet charm. The lakehouse stands as a reminder of the beauty that exists in stillness, of the calm moments that are so often overshadowed by the rush of life. And for me, it captures not just the landscape but also the experience of being there, the cold air, the solitude, and the sense of connection to something much larger than myself.
The Lakehouse by Karl Mackie
3. WINTER TWILIGHT
The Story Behind it: Fistral Beach, in my hometown of Cornwall, has been my canvas for years. I’ve photographed its ever-changing moods countless times, each wave, each swell, each sunset a testament to the beauty of this place. But after capturing it so often, I sometimes feel like I’ve seen it all like I’m chasing moments I’ve already immortalised.
That’s why this image, Winter Twilight, holds a special place for me. It’s a reminder that even the most familiar places have a way of surprising us, showing us something new when we least expect it. On this winter’s day, under a cold and vivid twilight sky, Fistral Beach revealed itself in a way I hadn’t seen before.
Winter on the Cornish coast is raw and untamed. The beaches are quieter, the air sharper, the waves more formidable. On this particular evening, the winter sun sank low, casting the sky in pastel hues of gold, peach, and soft lavender. The clouds, heavy yet illuminated, seemed to embrace the scene, reflecting the colours of the fading light.
As I stood there with my camera, I knew this wasn’t just another sunset. The waves rolled in with purpose, and the surfer cutting through them brought the image to life. It wasn’t just a photograph of Fistral Beach, it was a celebration of its winter essence. The cold air, the rhythm of the waves, the stillness of the horizon, and the energy of that one surfer encapsulated everything I love about the South of England during this season.
What stands out to me most about Winter Twilight is how it captures the contrasts of the moment. The warmth of the sunset against the winter chill. The calmness of the twilight sky against the raw power of the waves. The solitude of the surfer against the vast expanse of ocean and sky. It’s a reminder that beauty often lies in contrasts, in those fleeting moments of balance where opposites come together.
This image is more than just another photograph of Fistral Beach for me. It’s a new perspective on a place I thought I knew so well. It’s proof that even after thousands of captures, there’s always something new to discover, something worth waiting for. Winter Twilight isn’t just about surfing or sunsets; it’s about finding magic in the familiar, about seeing with fresh eyes and capturing the spirit of a place that always has more to give.
Winter Twilight by Karl Mackie
4. EAST RIVER
The Story Behind it: New York is one of those cities that never stops inspiring me. Whenever I’m there for work, I always take time out to combine two of my favourite things: running and photography. Running with a film camera might seem unconventional to some, but for me, it’s the perfect way to explore a city. There’s something about the rhythm of running that lets you see places in a different light, moments you’d never notice if you weren’t on the move.
This image came from one of my favourite routes in New York, a run that starts in Manhattan and ends in Dumbo. While most people think of iconic shots of the Brooklyn Bridge taken from its arches or looking up at its towering structure, I wanted to do something different. As I ran across the bridge, I stopped when this scene caught my eye: the cables slicing through the frame, leading the viewer’s eye toward the Statue of Liberty in the background. The water sparkled in the midday sun, and the boat cutting through the waves added an unexpected yet quintessentially New York touch.
What I love most about this image is its understated complexity. The cables in the foreground create a sense of structure and frame the view, but they also hint at the industrial beauty of the Brooklyn Bridge itself. Meanwhile, the Statue of Liberty, iconic and recognisable, fades into the distance, almost as if it’s a memory, present but subtle.
This isn’t your typical photograph of the Brooklyn Bridge, and that’s why it resonates with me. It’s less about the grandiosity of the landmark and more about the quiet details that make it special: the texture of the cables, the movement of the water, the hum of the city captured in a single frame. It feels alive, yet grounded.
Running with a camera is my way of staying present in the moment while still exploring creatively. It’s a practice that reminds me to slow down, even when I’m moving fast. In cities like New York, where life is always rushing by, it’s incredible how much beauty you can find when you pause, even for a second, to capture it. For me, East River is more than a photograph; it’s a snapshot of a fleeting moment, an unfiltered connection to the city that never sleeps.
East River, New York City by Karl Mackie
5. HARTLAND
The Story Behind it: Growing up, North Devon was a favourite family holiday destination. Its rugged beauty, windswept beaches, and dramatic cliffs made an impression on me as a child, even if I didn’t fully appreciate it at the time. So, when I was hired for a lifestyle shoot in the area, it felt like coming full circle.
I vaguely remembered visiting Hartland as a kid, but seeing it again as an adult was something else entirely. The North Devon coastline felt almost otherworldly, a place seemingly untouched by time, with jagged cliffs that seemed ripped straight out of a Jurassic world. You could easily imagine a post-apocalyptic film being shot here; it has that raw, untamed energy that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into another era.
While I was busy working on the commercial shoot, I noticed this little wave breaking in the background. A couple of surfers had paddled out,. The juxtaposition of these modern surfers against the prehistoric landscape made the scene feel surreal. It was the kind of moment that begged to be captured.
After we wrapped up, I grabbed my film camera, loaded with expired 35mm film, and started shooting. Expired film is unpredictable, sometimes magical, sometimes a disaster, but I’ve always loved the process. It adds an extra layer of anticipation, never quite knowing how the colours or textures will turn out. Most of the shots from that roll were ruined, but this one frame survived, and the results were beyond anything I’d expected.
The colours in this image are wild, almost otherworldly. The expired film rendered the scene in tones that feel perfectly suited to the Jurassic vibe of Hartland Quay. The warm, earthy hues give the image a timeless quality as if it could have been taken millions of years ago.
Hartland by Karl Mackie
6. SURFER GIRL
The Story Behind it: On another commercial shoot in Hawaii, I found myself walking the streets of Waikiki and shooting street photography purely for the joy of it. When I took this image, I wasn’t thinking about creating a print, I was simply capturing a moment that felt quintessentially Hawaiian.
This shot, taken on Portra 400 film, has always stood out to me for its colours. There’s a warmth to the tones, a richness that feels perfectly suited to the scene. The palm trees, the sunlight, and the girl with the surfboard strolling barefoot through the heart of town surrounded by the hum of everyday life, all feel iconic. She’s immersed in the rhythm of Waikiki, a surfer weaving her way through the crowd, embodying the blend of city and surf culture that makes this place so unique.
For a long time, this image sat quietly in my archive. I liked it but didn’t think of it as something that would become a print. It was one of those personal captures that stayed with me but didn’t immediately fit into the broader body of my work. Then I posted it to my Pinterest account, and everything changed. The response was overwhelming, it became the most saved and asked-about image on my account. People connected with it in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and it made me look at the photo with fresh eyes.
What I love about this image now is how it represents a shift in my work. While I’ve always been drawn to coastal landscapes, this image moves my photography into a new space. It’s about people, culture, and the subtle moments of life that tell a larger story. Printing this one big was a revelation. Seeing it in full scale, the details and composition come alive, and it truly feels iconic. The energy of the scene, the casual grace of the surfer, and the backdrop of Waikiki all combine to create something timeless.
This print became a runaway success in 2024, and for good reason. It captures more than just a moment; it encapsulates a feeling, a lifestyle, and the essence of a place that holds a special place in so many hearts. For me, it also marks a turning point, a glimpse of where I want to take my work going forward.
Surfer Girl, Hawaii by Karl Mackie
THE POWER OF STORIES IN ART
Each of these prints tells a unique story, but they all share one thing in common: they connect with people on an emotional level. Whether it’s nostalgia, peace, or inspiration, the stories behind these images give them depth and meaning.
For me, sharing these stories is as important as creating the art itself. It’s a way to invite people into the moment, to let them experience the scene as I did, and to remind them that every print carries a little piece of the artist’s journey.
You can find more of my work on Instagram: @karl_mackie, and on my website: karlmackie.com
