Nailing down the shoot-day specifics ahead of time will save you time, money, and energy. Work with your photographer in advance to create a shot list of the rooms and vignettes you want to capture. “That helps inform how many shoot days you’ll need—and how smooth those shoot days will actually go,” says Friedman. “The more tightly wound you are, the more tightly wound the styling is going to be, and it’s not going to have the same impact.”
Once the shot list is set, connect with your stylist to schedule a walkthrough of the spaces you’ll be shooting—or at the very least review a set of scouting pictures together. “Ask yourself: What exactly do I need to make this room look finished?” says Bridges, then use that time to discuss specifics about your desired look and feel, any additional decorative pieces that need to be brought in, floral preferences, and so on. Alternatively, “stylists can also be helpful when you need to edit what you already have,” adds Bridges. In general, interior stylists will procure decorative objects, florals, and any other lifestyle bits and bites for the shoot—but it’s important that you have a conversation to confirm who’s providing what ahead of the shoot.
The Makings of a Successful Shoot Day
Photo shoot days are long days. It’s a race against the natural light to capture a full-day of photos (which can vary by photographer and the weather—some snap 8–10 photos in a day, others can capture up to 20 within that time). Small delays add up, so having all on-set collaborators focused and engaged helps keep energy and morale high as the day goes on.
“It’s trusting your creative team to keep the shoot on pace,” says stylist Dorcia Kelley. Her tip for all collaborators on-set? “You want to make sure that you’re comfortable and a part of the conversation, but you don’t want to micromanage, over-style, or overthink. Take the shot, make sure it’s as good as it’s going to get, and move things forward.”
With each new room, the interior stylist is tasked with recasting the three-dimensional interior into a compelling two-dimensional image. They’ll use props and florals to solve compositional concerns: Tall, sculptural branches can enliven expanses of cabinetry or a blank wall, for instance. And many shoot hours will be spent “schlepping huge things everywhere, then moving things one inch,” says Los Angeles stylist Emily Bowser—shifting aside your perfectly placed sofa, for example, to clear a view toward the gorgeous fireplace surround.
Your stylist will be focused not just on how to make each photo a winner, but that you’re staying aligned with that overall narrative of the shoot. Consider: What story do the images collectively tell, and how does each one contribute? “When I’m styling, I’m thinking about lifestyle,” says Kelley, who detests when things look too staged or sterile. “I’m not just styling a kitchen, I’m styling a kitchen with orange juice and maybe some fruit—evidence that someone lives there.”
What to Budget for Interior Styling
Most interior stylists charge a day rate for residential shoots that, depending on your local market, is likely to start at around $750 to $1,000. (Styling work for corporate clients is typically more expensive.) This rate will apply equally for days spent preparing for the shoot, for the shoot itself, and for the time required to return borrowed items afterward.
