Let me preface this by saying I am not an Interiors Stylist, I am an Interior Designer who designs real spaces for real clients. I love styling and accessorizing and I find that whole profession quite fascinating. I think styling interiors could be my dream job if I didn’t already have one!
Designing spaces of course includes accessorizing but styling for photography is a whole other story. With every photo shoot I complete, I gain more knowledge, tips, and confidence. And as my goals for 2013 state, I’ll be doing a lot more styling and photo shoots this year…..so stay tuned!
We just recently wrapped up another successful photo shoot with my lovely photographer Christina Wedge. She has been such a joy to work with, I am thrilled to have connected with her. She is so creative and a true talent. I cannot recommend her enough! (the photos in this post were all taken by me with my camera for a little sneak peek….I’m saving her shots for later!)
There is no doubt that every time I have an interiors photo shoot I learn something new. It’s an amazing art form and I’m always taking in and trying to learn from the best. Some of my favorite places to pull inspiration and tips when prepping for a shoot are Annette Joseph, Phoebe Howard, Emily Henderson and of course Pinterest. You can see all of my style boards here and here.
Top 10 Styling Tips
1. Be THEME Consistent: When planning my story and shopping for props I always have a theme in mind and I try to be completely consistent within that theme. This is especially important in Kitchens. Keep it simple and think about what might be taking place in the room.
2. Books, Books and More Books: If you’re styling a space that will use books, bring twice (or three times) as many as you think you may need. There has been a couple of shoots where I have brought so many and was still short in what I could have used.
3. Flower Favorites: I have determined that my must have flowers for every shoot are tulips, peonies, and hydrangeas. I even like large bunches of carnations in an unusual color that’s hard to find in the other varieties.
4. Candles: Have you ever noticed that your favorite rooms in Magazines are hardly ever styled with candles. Use candles and candle sticks sparingly in Dining Rooms and maybe in a hurricane or two on a coffee table like the lovely Phoebe Howard suggests here.
Phoebe Howard via Southern Living
5. Vases: You probably won’t know where you’ll need flowers until you get there and start setting things up. You’ll need short containers, tall vases, large and small. Take a collection of clear glass vases with you every time. They are inexpensive and you can leave them behind for the home owner with beautiful fresh flowers as a small thank you.
6. Pillows: Don’t settle for the throw pillows that match the sofa. Bring pillows and throws in many different color options. Having the right color combination can really bring your room to life. You won’t know if a subtle color or contrasting color will be right until you see it through the lens. Be brave, this is an easy way to bring color and style to your photography.
7. More is More: I’m not saying that you should over style a photo, in fact less is more in that case. You won’t need to many accessories or props to make a great shot BUT you never know what you’ll need to make the perfect photo. It’s always nice to have several things to choose from to make it perfect. What looks great in your head may not look so great through he lens.
8. Pinterest: As I mentioned earlier, I like to ‘shop’ Pinterest before I head out the door to purchase accessories and props. I collect and print out my favorite styling photos and take them with me for inspiration while I’m shopping (along with a list of specifics I should be looking for).
9. Be comfortable: I have learned that comfortable shoes are a must when styling and prepping for a photo shoot. The last one I did was up a set of stairs and I cannot tell you how many times I ended up going up and down. I was so happy that I had tennis shoes on. I was comfortable which made me move quick and more efficient!
10. Must Haves: My favorite must haves to bring along are books, stacking boxes, trays, baskets, odd objects, fresh flowers, clear containers, linens, white towels, white dishes, fruit, glass wares, pillows, and throws.
**BONUS: Create a photo shoot check list and designate a tool box just for the day. You’ll be so happy you have everything you need. If you already have one, I’d love to hear what you include on your list!
What would you add to my list….I’d love to hear. I’m still learning too?!
xxoo
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