Interview: Lessons of a Home Photo Stylist
Annette Joseph shares her tips for styling beautiful home photography and finding the soul of a room
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward Interiors. It's my greatest pleasure to inspire you to live well, to live in style, and to extinguish the myth that style and budget are mutually exclusive. Read more about my design philosophy and my work at http://www.blulabelbungalow.com
Hello there! I'm Erika Ward, Owner and Principal Designer of Erika Ward... More »
Atlanta-based photostylist/producer Annette Joseph possesses an intangible skill that keeps us hooked on our favorite shelter magazine publications: the ability to breathe life into interior spaces. My first encounter with Joseph was at a private mock photo styling session where I watched her artistry in action. It was at that moment I realized how much I took for granted the effort that goes into making an interior space magazine-ready.
I often look for her name in the styling credits as I read some of my favorite shelter magazines, such as Better Homes and Gardens, Atlanta Magazine, and Renovation Style Magazine, and appreciate the pages so much more now that I'm privy to what goes on behind the scenes. In this interview, Joseph educates us on her craft and shares tips and tricks for styling your own home photographs.
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I often look for her name in the styling credits as I read some of my favorite shelter magazines, such as Better Homes and Gardens, Atlanta Magazine, and Renovation Style Magazine, and appreciate the pages so much more now that I'm privy to what goes on behind the scenes. In this interview, Joseph educates us on her craft and shares tips and tricks for styling your own home photographs.
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Erika Ward: How do people and pets effect the overall mood conveyed in a styled photograph?
Annette Joseph: Interior shots that include people (in this case, the homeowner) and pets truly speak to me; they are the key elements that essentially bring the photo to life.
Each shelter magazine has its preference regarding the use of lifestyle shots, and if you read a variety of them you will see which ones prefer people walking through a room and which ones do not. There are differing opinions on whether or not lifestyle shots add or distract from the room's focus.
I will say that once you introduce life into the shot it complicates the process and becomes more time consuming. Nevertheless, people and pets are my preference, and they add an element of fun.
Private Comment
Annette Joseph: Interior shots that include people (in this case, the homeowner) and pets truly speak to me; they are the key elements that essentially bring the photo to life.
Each shelter magazine has its preference regarding the use of lifestyle shots, and if you read a variety of them you will see which ones prefer people walking through a room and which ones do not. There are differing opinions on whether or not lifestyle shots add or distract from the room's focus.
I will say that once you introduce life into the shot it complicates the process and becomes more time consuming. Nevertheless, people and pets are my preference, and they add an element of fun.
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EW: How does styling a photo for a magazine differ from staging a home for sale?
AJ: I have styled model homes but never staged homes for sale. So I can only speak to designing a model home versus photostyling. Working on designs for models is very much like producing a styling job, except that the room is photographed at the end of the process. Since I am a stylist I only think in terms of designing a home or room to the last detail. Regardless of it being photographed or not, my rooms are always photo-ready. I cannot do it any other way.
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AJ: I have styled model homes but never staged homes for sale. So I can only speak to designing a model home versus photostyling. Working on designs for models is very much like producing a styling job, except that the room is photographed at the end of the process. Since I am a stylist I only think in terms of designing a home or room to the last detail. Regardless of it being photographed or not, my rooms are always photo-ready. I cannot do it any other way.
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EW: What are some of the key elements that make a space feel welcoming in photographs?
AJ: A sense of order is very important in a photograph; great composition, balance, and warmth are a key factors. But that is not all — it's not that simple. When I work with talented photographers to make a beautiful image, it is collaborative and artistic. A photo needs a soul, and finding that soul in the home is what I do. It is not a tangible thing.
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AJ: A sense of order is very important in a photograph; great composition, balance, and warmth are a key factors. But that is not all — it's not that simple. When I work with talented photographers to make a beautiful image, it is collaborative and artistic. A photo needs a soul, and finding that soul in the home is what I do. It is not a tangible thing.
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EW: Give an example where you styled a photo to disguise a flaw in the space.
AJ: There are times when the flow of a space is not ideal, but most of the spaces we photograph are beautiful to start. When the flow is not ideal the camera angle is actually more important than the styling.
It is very difficult to style a shot to distract, after all you see everything in a photograph. I style shots to enhance the beauty of a space, not distract from something unappealing.
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AJ: There are times when the flow of a space is not ideal, but most of the spaces we photograph are beautiful to start. When the flow is not ideal the camera angle is actually more important than the styling.
It is very difficult to style a shot to distract, after all you see everything in a photograph. I style shots to enhance the beauty of a space, not distract from something unappealing.
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EW: Why should an interior designer consider using a stylist when shooting photographs for a portfolio?
AJ: When a potential client sees your portfolio, they should want to live in a space that you designed. This feeling should resonate through every photo in your portfolio no matter the room.
A stylist can help your client to translate comfort, function, and great design without them having to physically visit the space.
Simply put, designers and stylist work hand in hand to tell a story and evoke feelings through interior photography.
Private Comment
AJ: When a potential client sees your portfolio, they should want to live in a space that you designed. This feeling should resonate through every photo in your portfolio no matter the room.
A stylist can help your client to translate comfort, function, and great design without them having to physically visit the space.
Simply put, designers and stylist work hand in hand to tell a story and evoke feelings through interior photography.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Interested in styling your home? Start with a small vignette to gain confidence. Many of the items pictured above are pieces you may already own.
With a wall mirror, stylish lamp, books, vases, and flowers you can create a gorgeous feature in any room of your home.
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With a wall mirror, stylish lamp, books, vases, and flowers you can create a gorgeous feature in any room of your home.
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Annette Joseph's photostyling tips and tricks
1. Photograph your rooms in slices. Looking at your room from a photograph gives you an objective view of the space.
2. When photographing multiple rooms, use a color thread throughout each room to make the photo story come together.
3. Less is more.
4. If you like tchotchkes, corral them in a tray for a cleaner look.
5. When making a space look lived-in, pull the chair out just a little from the dining room table. When shooting a bed ruffle the sheets a bit.
6. Instead of purchasing flowers from a prepackaged bouquet, buy a mass of the same flower.
7. Continue to examine each photo for equal weight and balance.
More: Home Photo Tips From the Pros
Private Comment
1. Photograph your rooms in slices. Looking at your room from a photograph gives you an objective view of the space.
2. When photographing multiple rooms, use a color thread throughout each room to make the photo story come together.
3. Less is more.
4. If you like tchotchkes, corral them in a tray for a cleaner look.
5. When making a space look lived-in, pull the chair out just a little from the dining room table. When shooting a bed ruffle the sheets a bit.
6. Instead of purchasing flowers from a prepackaged bouquet, buy a mass of the same flower.
7. Continue to examine each photo for equal weight and balance.
More: Home Photo Tips From the Pros
Comments
Becky Harris says:
Yea Erika! I love Annette's work and have been wishing it was on Houzz for so long. In fact, I first met you at her event at Room and Board last winter ;)
4 months ago ·
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Susan Duane says:
This was a fun read. I'm always looking for ways to improve the way I style things at home! Annette's work is beautiful!
4 months ago ·
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craigkarey says:
Wow, absolutely beautiful photography by Annette Joseph. I enjoyed the post and follow the lessons to improve my home decoration. Thanks very much.
http://www.myinterviewsuccess.com/
http://www.myinterviewsuccess.com/
4 months ago ·
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Laura says:
I cannot tell you how helpful this post is!! I am always trying to create vignettes and I take my camera everywhere! Great tips, thank you.
Laura from Bright Bold and Beautiful
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/
Laura from Bright Bold and Beautiful
http://brightboldbeautiful.blogspot.com/
4 months ago ·
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Great interview, thanks Erika! Will be shooting for my portfolio this spring so I really enjoyed this article. One of the houses is in the Atlanta area... we may be calling...
4 months ago ·
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Dayka Robinson says:
that's one thing i always love about annette's work in BHG--that the photos include the homeowners. i couldn't put my finger on it, but in addition to annette's gorgeous styling, i like being able to see the relationship between the homeowners and their spaces.
4 months ago ·
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the_misfit says:
I like her tips, but I don't think she actually answered any of the questions (except the one about why to hire a photo stylist). I'm sure there's lots of intangible qualities in styling anything - I'm no pro, but even I know that sometimes a piece of furniture or a vase works or does not work in a given location for no discernible reason - but it is nice to see her nail some things down at the end there - that's what we need if we're trying to learn from her!
4 months ago ·
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smithsusanj says:
The first question has an incorrect word usage. It should be affect not effect.
4 months ago ·
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Mandi Smith T says:
Great article! I think this is the single most important thing (short of design talent) that can either make or break your success in the interior design industry. M.
www.interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com
www.interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com
4 months ago ·
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franki7 says:
Since I'm a TOTAL "visual" person I enjoyed those photos immensly! That orange garden stool...gray doors....oh, my! franki
4 months ago ·
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caroleweitner says:
No 3. Less is more.
I would say in most of these shots, more is more. It's not bad; its just that it's not less. And layering so many items can get quite costly, again defeating the less is more idiom. The desk and the dressers have so much stuff on them they are not functional for what they are designed for. The design shines though, the balance, the color harmony, but when it lacks function, what's the point. It's one thing to stage a space for a photo shoot and totally different to have to live in the space. Style without function seems vacuous.
I would say in most of these shots, more is more. It's not bad; its just that it's not less. And layering so many items can get quite costly, again defeating the less is more idiom. The desk and the dressers have so much stuff on them they are not functional for what they are designed for. The design shines though, the balance, the color harmony, but when it lacks function, what's the point. It's one thing to stage a space for a photo shoot and totally different to have to live in the space. Style without function seems vacuous.
4 months ago ·
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ethnicitidesignonline says:
I enjoyed the tips on styling. Here are a few I shot for my In Home Studio series
4 months ago ·
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