Do I Need a Stylist for My Hotel, Interior Design, or Architecture Photoshoot?

The Secret Ingredient for Publication-Worthy Design Photography
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May 9, 2025
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When you've invested months or even years into a design project, the way you capture it matters just as much as the design itself. One question we hear often from architects, interior designers, and hotel brands is whether they truly need a stylist for their photoshoot.

The short answer?

Yes—if you want your spaces to translate their full potential into compelling visuals.

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Why Styling Makes the Difference Between Good and Extraordinary

Professional styling isn't just about adding decorative objects—it's about translating the three-dimensional experience of a space into a two-dimensional medium that still evokes emotion and tells your design story.

A well-styled space:

  • Creates visual focal points that guide the viewer's eye
  • Adds depth, scale, and context to architectural features
  • Brings warmth and lived-in quality that empty spaces lack
  • Reinforces the narrative and intended purpose of the space

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The Collaborative Process: How Photography, Video, and Styling Work Together

At AB Photo & Video, we've developed a process that maximizes the impact of styling in our productions:

First, our team identifies the ideal composition, lighting setup, and story-driven narrative for each space. Only after these technical and creative foundations are established do we bring in the stylist to enhance what's already working. This approach ensures that styling serves the story rather than competing with it.

This collaborative workflow creates efficiency on set and elevates the final result far beyond what either discipline could achieve independently.

Pros and Cons of Working with a Stylist

Pros:

  • Expert Eye for Detail: Stylists notice and fix the small elements that might distract from your design's beauty
  • Magazine-Ready Results: Publications expect professional styling—it's a standard requirement for feature consideration
  • Time Efficiency: Having a dedicated stylist allows photographers to focus on lighting and composition
  • Fresh Perspective: Stylists bring new ideas that can highlight unexpected strengths in your design
  • Lived-In Authenticity: Professional stylists know how to make spaces feel inhabited without looking artificially staged
  • Trend Knowledge: Stylists stay current with design trends and can incorporate relevant elements appropriately

Cons:

  • Additional Investment: Professional styling services can range from $600-1,200 per day in addition to the photographer's fee
  • Coordination Required: You'll need to plan additional time for styling prep (ideally 1-3 days before the shoot)
  • Potential Design Dilution: Without clear communication, styling might overshadow or misrepresent your design intent
  • Managing Expectations: If clients are present during the shoot, they may need education about why certain items are moved or removed

The Stylist's Process: What to Expect

A professional stylist typically follows these steps when preparing for your shoot:

  1. Pre-Production Planning: Meeting with you to understand your goals, target publications, and design intent
  2. Shot List Development: Working with the photographer to create a strategic list of images to capture
  3. Prop Sourcing: Gathering appropriate items that complement your design (flowers, books, textiles, etc.)
  4. Day-Before Prep: Setting up spaces and making major styling decisions before shoot day
  5. On-Set Adjustments: Making micro-adjustments as each shot is composed
  6. Detail Work: Adding final touches like fresh flowers just before each shot

The best stylists know when to add elements and when to take them away. One tip we use is to simplify the space with essential design features only, then slowly start adding in styling items. If it feels off, remove it!

Essential Styling Tips for Publication-Worthy Spaces

If you're working with a stylist (or doing some styling yourself), keep these professional tips in mind:

  • Fresh Elements Are Non-Negotiable: Live plants and fresh flowers add life, texture, and seasonal context that artificial alternatives simply can't match
  • Layer Textures Thoughtfully: Mix materials (wood, metal, textiles) to create visual interest without cluttering
  • Create Intentional Negative Space: Allow breathing room around key design elements to help them stand out
  • Style in Context: Ensure that styling elements reflect how the space would actually be used
  • Avoid Moving Items Around: Magazines dislike seeing the same styling props appear in multiple rooms—it signals artificial staging
  • Consider Camera Perspective: What looks good in person may read differently through a lens; be willing to adjust based on test shots
  • Balance Is Key: Create visual weight that draws the eye through the composition naturally
  • Think Editorial: Imagine each shot as a magazine spread and style accordingly

Why Styled Shoots Are More Likely to Get Published

In today's competitive visual landscape, styling has become an expectation rather than a luxury—particularly for publications:

Interior design magazines, architecture journals, and hospitality features are looking for spaces that feel complete and thoughtfully considered. Without professional styling, even exceptional design work can appear unfinished or lacking context when photographed.

Publication requirements have become increasingly specific. For example, magazines often require:

  • Professional, high-resolution photography
  • Styling that reflects the publication's aesthetic
  • Spaces that tell a cohesive story
  • Exclusive content that hasn't been shared extensively on social media
  • A compelling narrative about the project

Editors typically select images that require minimal intervention on their part, meaning fully styled and polished visuals have a significant advantage when competing for limited publication space.

Seattle & PNW Styling Resources

The Pacific Northwest boasts exceptional creative talent in the styling space. Here are some local resources you can review

  • Teressa Johnson Studio – Seattle‑based floral, interior & still‑life stylist with 19 years' experience; celebrates seasonally rich botanicals and layered, story‑driven vignettes that bring natural warmth to luxury spaces.
  • Libby Mansour – Australian‑born interior stylist now in Seattle; known for curated furniture/object layers that give rooms an effortlessly lived‑in polish—great for residential and editorial shoots.
  • Cozbi Jean – Vintage‑meets‑contemporary prop stylist noted for bold yet uncluttered compositions that let architectural lines breathe.
  • Jenn Elliott Blake – Cross‑coastal photo/prop stylist (Seattle–L.A.–NYC) with deep experience in lifestyle motion and stills.
  • Kelsey Eads – Twenty‑year veteran crafting "perfectly imperfect" scenes for interiors, product, and food.
  • Rachel Grunig – Minimalist stylist fluent in interiors and soft‑goods, celebrated for an organic, color‑forward approach.
  • Marie Sullivan – Seattle‑ and New York–based prop stylist spanning still life, fashion, and interior sets.
  • Upstaging Seattle – Their team of stagers works magic to transform properties into show-stopping masterpieces with attention to detail and keen eye for design.

When selecting a stylist, look for someone with experience in your specific industry (residential architecture, hotels, etc.) and who understands the publications you're targeting.

Small Touches, Big Impact

What's fascinating about professional styling is that the most impactful changes are often subtle:

  • The perfect arrangement of books creating balanced asymmetry
  • A thoughtfully placed throw that adds texture and softens hard lines
  • Fresh elements that bring life and seasonality to the space
  • The removal of distracting elements that might draw attention from design features

Sometimes less truly is more—it's about finding precisely the right elements rather than filling a space.

Investment in Long-Term Value

Working with a stylist should be viewed as an investment in your visual marketing assets rather than an additional expense. Properly styled photography and video create content that:

  • Represents your work at its absolute best
  • Appeals to your ideal clients' aspirations
  • Has a longer shelf life in your portfolio
  • Performs better across digital platforms
  • Increases your chances of publication and recognition

Quick Styling Tips You Can Implement Today

Even if you're not ready to hire a professional stylist, there are several techniques you can implement immediately to elevate your spaces for photography:

  1. Declutter Strategically: Remove personal items, paperwork, and small appliances that distract from design features. Clear countertops of everything except a few intentional items.
  2. Rule of Odd Numbers: Arrange decorative objects in groups of three or five—odd numbers create more visual interest than even numbers.
  3. Introduce Natural Elements: Fresh flowers or greenery instantly add life to any space. For quick results, try a simple arrangement of one type of bloom or architectural plant branches.
  4. Create Depth with Layering: Overlap items slightly (like pillows or artwork) to create visual depth that translates well in photography.
  5. Consider Scale and Height: Vary the height of objects in your styling vignettes—this creates visual rhythm that keeps the eye engaged.
  6. Style Bookshelves Thoughtfully: Alternate horizontal and vertical stacks, leave some negative space, and remove dust jackets from hardcovers for a cleaner look.
  7. Add Textural Contrast: Introduce different textures through textiles, ceramics, or natural materials to create visual interest even in monochromatic spaces.
  8. Check for Distractions: Stand where the camera will be and look for anything that draws your eye away from the main design features.
  9. Refresh Towels and Bedding: Crisp, perfectly arranged linens elevate bathrooms and bedrooms instantly.
  10. Create "Moments": Style small vignettes that tell a story—a coffee table with an open book and mug, or a bedside table with reading glasses and a carafe of water.

Remember that styling for photography often looks different than styling for everyday living. What seems minimalist in person might look perfectly balanced through the camera lens.

Starting Your Next Project

If you're planning an architecture, interior design, or hotel photoshoot, we recommend including a stylist from the earliest planning stages. Having worked with many talented stylists throughout Seattle and beyond, we'd be happy to recommend professionals whose aesthetic and approach would complement your specific project.

Ready to create stunning visual content that truly captures the essence of your design work? Let's start a conversation about your next project and how we can help you showcase it beautifully.

About AB Photo & Video

AB Photo & Video is a Seattle-based creative production company serving architects, interior designers, boutique hotels, custom home builders, and marketing agencies. We specialize in editorial-style photography and cinematic, story-driven video content that reflects the emotional, strategic, and design-forward elements of each project.

Our content helps clients connect with their audiences, elevate their brand presence, and build long-term marketing assets—not just quick content. Through our collaborative approach, we guide clients through the entire production process, from pre-production planning to final delivery, ensuring that every visual tells the story behind your design.

To learn more about our services or to start your next project, visit our contact page here -> CONTACT

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