Any marketing strategist or business coach will tell you that during economic uncertainty the last thing you should do is stop or slow down your marketing. In fact, if your brand disappears from the landscape, people may assume you’re actually out of business. The smart business move is to continue to post on social media, use email marketing, and showcase your new work on your website and branded materials.

Editorial press samples from imagery that Stephen shot recently. We have seen these passed around all over social media and pinterest.

Jan Showers in Veranda

Melissa Morgan - M Interiors in 1st Dibs

Denise McGaha in Flower Magazine

And what is the one thing that is most critical to that marketing? Your photography. You need detail shots and behind-the-scenes photos for social media. You need updated personal photos to show you’re not only still in business, but you’re thriving. And you need to have every room of every project professionally shot. These images showcase the best of what you can do – and they are critical decision makers for your potential clients. 

Below are behind the scenes blog post that were iphone captures from our client Lucas Eilers. All and more was used in their social media throughout the year. Their new book, Expressive Interiors, published by Rizzoli, was a huge project all of 2019 and it launches in September. Stephen traveled all over the country with Sandy and Sarah which helped give their book a cohesive look in imagery .

Lucas Eilers behind the scenes photo shoot

Shoot Day! Sandra Drews Lucas and Sarah Brooks Eilers

Expressive Interiors by Lucas Eilers

Below shows how Perennials teamed up with Stephen to create marketing content for their new rug line when everything had been cancelled due to the shutdown. From one shoot they created a new catalog, inspiration boards, social media content and ads.

Perennials new rug line by Allison Paladino

Perennials by Allison Paladino

Veranda ad

We can help you not only photography your projects, but we also specialize in showcasing the best of your brand. Plan your shoot, think ahead just like you are planning your marketing. We help style each shot to so your work attracts even more attention from your marketing efforts. It’s beyond photos – it’s image marketing at its best.

Want to learn more? Click here to get in touch.

After an inspiring trip to Paris last winter, we are releasing 40 new limited-edition art prints of Stephen’s stunning photographs of the City of Lights. His architectural eye is evident in these new and exclusive shots, each of which adds a powerful design element to any space.

Interior design by M Interiors

Like a film noir, A Rainy Midnight Walk in the St-Germain-des-Prés captures the charm and mystery of one of Paris’s most famous neighborhoods. The Magnificent Staircase – Rodin Museum perfectly frames a sweeping architectural detail that can only be found in historic European buildings. David Vanqueur de Goliath offers a cheeky take on one of the oldest statues in the Jardin du Luxembourg.

Interior Design by Laura Lee Clark

Interior Design by Carrie Hatfield

In addition to the Paris series, new photographs also include Iceland, California, Italy, Mexico, and Florida, as well as two series of abstracts and textures. At a time when none of us is sure when we will again walk the streets of Paris or other destinations, these beautiful photographs inspire all of us to remember what makes travel and architecture so special. 

All prints are fine art archival quality with one inch border signed by Stephen. To-the-trade pricing is available for interior designers. To see the extensive collection of photographs in the shop, click here.

It’s interesting to me that some designers think they will hire a photographer and stylist for a shoot, tell him/her what shots they’re looking for, and then have the shots delivered exactly as they want with no more work involved. I always want to remind interior designers that this is your photo shoot, and that you need to art direct the day – exactly the same way that a shelter publication will when they shoot a project.

Why? Because it’s your brand, and you need it to be visually represented in the best way possible. A good photographer and stylist are going to make the rooms look good, but they may not understand your brand and what you really need from the shots. 

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I like to work in a partnership with my clients where we’re both fully committed to getting the best visual representation of the project. And it always works best if the designer is fully engaged in the process from the minute we sign an agreement. So what does that mean?

First, you need to think about who you’re going to pitch the project to, or how the images are going to be used. Discussing this plan with your photographer will impact how the project will be styled and shot. You should also think about what the takeaways will be for the person reading the article or viewing the project.

You want to scout the project again, preferably with the photographer and a stylist. It’s a great time to think about how many shots you’ll need, how many horizontals vs. verticals, what accessories and florals you want, what the light looks like, and so much more.

Be realistic about the shoot and the amount of time it will take! Especially if there’s a room that needs the daylight and it’s going to start getting dark at 6pm. It’s so important to have a shot list ready to go. It will speed up everything and you can be sure that we don’t miss a crucial angle or room. 

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So the number-one question I get from a designer is if they really need a stylist for the shoot. My answer is always yes! First, you’re too close to the project and may not be able to visualize how it needs to look for publication. Things look very different on camera.  A stylist can help move the shoot along, styling the next room while the designer and I are shooting the current space. It’s more efficient and more effective. Plus a good stylist will know what trends magazines are looking for regarding props, floral, etc.

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And if you still need to be convinced – my styling team and I have a very HIGH publish rate when we work together and then pitch a project. Yep, VERY, VERY, HIGH. 

Finally, remember that you want to look at each shot as it comes up on the computer. We can make adjustments and changes then and there so we get the perfect photo. This is the time for you to make sure the shots are going in the right direction. 

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If you are an involved art director in your own photo shoot, you’ll walk away knowing you got the shots you wanted, and they match your brand aesthetic.

Positano, Italy

It isn’t often that people turn the lens around and focus on me – I’m used to being behind the camera directing the action. So it was fun to be featured in Aspire Home & Design Magazine !

I like interviews that aren’t the same old boring questions – the Aspire reporter sent me some quirky ones to answer. They give you some interesting insights into things you may not have known about me. For example, most people may know that I have an architecture background, but not that my favorite board game is backgammon. Don’t know why you would need to know that, but hey, it makes us closer friends now, right? 

The regular Aspire feature focuses on “makers,” which may seem like an odd category for a photographer. But I see my role as crafting a message for designers and architects. You design rooms and homes, and I help create the best visual representation of that work. Basically it’s my job to make your work look as gorgeous as it can!

http://www.jeanliudesign.com/ and https://www.smitharc.com/

I’m a visual brand expert – someone who can take a designer’s work from good to FAB! With lighting, styling, and your designs…we make magic. My photos help tell your story. They elevate your brand and get you attention from press, clients, potential partners, and more. My work should help you get more work – that’s why I do what I do.

Well, I also do it for the endless supply of white linen shirts and fresh baguettes (see the article), but mostly I do it because I love my job behind the camera!

Okay, enough about me. Let’s turn that lens back around and focus on you!