{Living Room Pic}
During photo shoots, things often get rearranged and I often bring in flowers, plants, furnishings and props. It's a bit like an install day except the client is the camera and anyone who will see the photos (like you all and any potential clients! ;) I have some clients' whose homes I fully accessorize and style on installation day so on photoshoot days, we come in a pretty much just shoot (with flowers) and I have other homes where we're really making some changes. (When Better Homes & Gardens photographed my house, they hid light fixtures, took out rugs, brought in rugs, lots of accessories and even furniture!! I remember being shocked but I've adopted a similar method in certain projects of mine so that I can show my work in its best light. I realized that magazines have a "look" that they can bring to any home they photograph, just as I have "look" that I can bring to any home I have photographed and that if I want to bring in the type of clients who love my style, I need to show my style.)
{The foyer chandy!!}
Having photos of your work taken is a big investment and so I make sure when I do it that I am photographing my clients' homes as I envision them. My job is about about designing homes for my clients to love, not about designing homes that embody my personal style. So... often when I photograph projects, I'll put a little bit more "me" in the styling of the rooms so that potential clients can really a feel for how I design rooms when I am the final decision maker.
I would say my clients' styles are -for the most part- very different, but their projects all have a similar look that comes from me. As I've been in business longer, I have more and more clients coming to me for my "look."
{Taking pics!!}
I think this comes in part from seeing photographs of my finished work and trusting that they'll love what I can do for them. I have clients who have me fully accessorize their homes by playing with all of their existing accessories & artwork and adding in some new ones, and I have clients who - once the furnishings are in place- take their time and accessorize over time. Both methods can yield beautiful results and I'll often help clients with "tweaking" to get it all right.
{living room cocktail tables}
The project we shot yesterday (and that I'm going to in less than an hour!!) is a really special one to me. I've been working with my client for over three years now and I love her & her family. She has been with me during my major learning curve years (haha maybe they all have!! ;) ;) and is still here now!! She's influenced the way I run my business and we've learned a lot together. She has amazing taste, is super-involved in the design process and has a true passion for design and homes.
If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.