When designing or updating a workspace, it’s easy to get caught up in the big-picture decisions and overlook the finer details. While we all recognize the importance of ergonomic furniture for employee wellbeing—such as adjustable task chairs and standing desks, which have become office staples—there are many other effective ways to support wellness in the workplace.
Damon Fraietta, founder of Lifelightlens Photography, understands the importance of inspiration to the human experience. A long-time athlete, Damon had to find alternative ways of self-expression after an injury cut his career short, eventually discovering his passion for photography.
“As an athlete, things are always moving so fast, you are constantly acting or reacting,” he said. “I found a kind of balance in photography as a way to slow life down and focus on a moment.”
This became the inspiration for Lifelightlens Photography. Drawing on his experience in the office furniture industry (Damon initially began his career at Heritage Office as a field installer), he desired to offer clients a new way to explore brand expression and inspire employees within the office environment.
“I got a good look at what the state of office furnishings was,” said Damon of his experience working in the industry, “and what Heritage was doing to innovate within it. I was impressed, but I always felt like there was still room in every space to explore another dimension of the workplace.”
Understanding that human beings thrive in an inspiring, harmonious environment, Damon took his photography skills and decided to focus on producing large format murals and mounted artwork, the impressive scale providing an almost immersive experience within the four walls of a workplace.
Damon believes in the importance of artwork as a tool to create inspiring environments where people can thrive. Drawing on theories of biophilia, the idea that human beings are biologically driven to interact with nature, he took his camera outdoors, aiming to bring the outside world into the office environment.
Indeed, experts agree on the role art plays in increasing wellness in the workplace. Displaying art in the workplace can elevate employee performance, mood, and physical well-being, as well as bolster interpersonal bonds between employees and clients. Dozens of research studies conducted throughout the past 10 years have identified myriad ways — from the practical to the unconscious — that installing thoughtfully-chosen art in the workplace can improve employee experience and achievement and help to communicate the right message to guests.
By blending his expertise in office furnishings with his passion for photography, Damon offers a unique solution to enhance the work environment, fostering creativity, relaxation, and connection. Ultimately, investing in both the physical and aesthetic aspects of a workspace not only boosts employee performance but cultivates a culture of wellbeing, helping individuals thrive both personally and professionally.
lifelightens photography will be available to order through Heritage Office Furnishings in the New Year! Follow us on Instagram to keep up to date on our latest offerings.