A Write-up on A recent Stephen Karlisch Lighting For Interiors Workshop

City Lifestyle Memphis – Originally published in River City Lifestyle
Article by Lindsey Tonkin
Photography by Stephen Karlisch

When our publisher Christian Owen dreamed of creating a beautiful monthly print magazine to celebrate the beauty and bounty of our River City, finding the perfect photographer was paramount to the success of her vision. Sarah Bell, whose work masterfully captures everything from portraits and landscapes to the ever-challenging realm of interiors, was the obvious choice for Photo Editor. But the mark of a true professional is that they never, ever stop learning. This month in our Home issue, it is fitting that we chronicle Sarah's recent journey to Dallas, where she attended an immersive and inspiring workshop hosted by celebrated photographer Stephen Karlisch and his wife Kristen, explicitly designed to explore the art of photographing interiors.

On a Google quest for interior lighting information, Sarah stumbled upon Stephen's website over a year ago. Architectural Digest, Veranda, Elle Decor and House Beautiful have featured Stephen's work, to name a few. Since COVID hit, he has dedicated significant time to coaching fellow industry professionals. Coach Stephen maintains that "the creative time in photography should be spent on location - making your images in camera, not on the computer."

Read the full article

Visit our Workshops page

For one on one coaching with Stephen please review our services here.
Follow Stephen’s workshop/coaching Insta account @karlisch_workshops
Questions or have interest in hosting or sponsoring a workshop? Please email us at hello@stephenkarlisch.com

We are enjoying a flurry of recent press coverage highlighting recent interior photography projects!

I always get a charge out of seeing my photographs featured in both print magazines an online articles, and I love interacting with talented designers and stylists. I am so honored to work with these amazing designers and publications!

A huge thank-you to Country French, Southern Home, Luxe Interiors+Design and Frederic!

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Country French magazine – Fall/Winter 2022

Traditional Twist - A backdrop of playful colors and patterns gives a designer’s beloved French antiques a fresh new look

Writer: Paula M. Body
Photographer: Stephen Karlisch @stephen_karlisch_photo
Interior Designer: Tori Rubinson @torirubinsoninteriors
Stylist: Melanie McKinley

Tori Rubinson contacted me a few years ago to take some new photos of her home in Ft. Worth, Texas.  From that early photoshoot we have been working together on several large projects in Texas, including her new home and also a showhouse in Ft. Worth.  

The evolution of Tori as a designer and leading interior design firm in Texas and beyond has been a fun one to witness and I have been fortunate to document. Her style is timeless, she is loved by so many, and working alongside her is about as great as it gets from a photographer's perspective. I can only imagine how much growth she will have in the next few years, the word is out and her team is growing.  See the full feature from Country French and on Tori in a recent Creative Focus blog post.

To learn and see more of Tori Rubinson Interior talents please visit Tori Rubinson Interiors website and be sure to follow her instagram.

Southern Home September-October 2022 | Check out our REEL featuring the images.

Houston Heights – Architect George Tracy’s design for a new Houston home evokes the grand cathedrals of Europe. For designer Ben Johnston, the task was to make a home within the lofty spaces. 

Written by Lydia Somerville
Photography: Stephen Karlisch @stephen_karlisch_photo
Stylist: @jennyoconnorstudio
Floral Design: Haile Wossen
Interior Design: @benjaminjohnstondesign
Architect: @tracydesignstudio
Builder: @irajtaghicustomhomes
Landscape: @gregoryhenrylandscapeanddesign

I recently photographed this amazing home designed by Houston’s own Benjamin Johnston, currently featured in the September - October issue of Southern Home Magazine. Working on this shoot with Benjamin Johnson in Houston was a highlight of early 2021. Teaming up with my old friends Jenny O'Connor (Stylist) and Haile Wossen (Floral Design) made this shoot a success. Benjamin is turning Houston into his playground, knocking out more residential projects than anyone I know. And they are all on a scale fit for special client. The main living room really shows off what is possible when deciding to live in a home that is a statement piece on its own. The primary bath could fit 20 people comfortably at once, reminiscent of an old roman bath or communal spa. 

See more of Johnston’s work at Benjamin Johnston Design

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Luxe Interiors+Design – Austin + San Antonio, September 2022

Returning to your Roots – A designer’s renovated Austin abode honors her own history while nodding to its former owner.

Written by Kate Abney
Photography by @Stephen_Karlisch_photo
Interior Design by Shazlynn Cavin Winfrey @scw_interiors
Styling by @FrancesBailey

Shazalynn Cavin Winfrey updated this beautiful, historic home by making it more functional without losing its connection to the past. This was the first time shooting and working with Shazalynn and we started with a very personal assignment, her own home. Needless to say, no pressure here! Ha! Working with the talented Frances Bailey (Stylist) on this, we had a wonderful time during this two day shoot in Austin. The backstory of this house is worth checking out from the article. Seeing how she has transformed this into a comfortable, sprawling home, with surprises around every corner, showcases her style and skill as a top designer. 

Excited to feature this spread and interview we did on Shazlynn in our series, Creative Focus.

See more of Cavin Winfrey’s beautiful design work | SCW Interiors

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Frederic Design Feature - August 2022 

Josh Pickering Creates a Verdant Aerie in Downtown Dallas – The designer drew on lush greens to harmonize a couple's mix of brand-new pieces, treasured heirlooms, and personal artworks.

Photography by Stephen Karlisch
Designed by Josh Pickering
Written by Kate Bolick
Produced by Tori Mellott

Joshua Pickering's style is in full effect in this Turtle Creek, Dallas, high rise condo. Situated in a classic building with rooms on a smaller scale, Joshua brings a sense of calm to each area, building on a theme repeated throughout the residence. 

See Pickering’s recent projects | Pickering House Interiors

Editor in Chief, Jane Dagmi with Designers Today podcast SAID, decided to take a more personal approach with Stephen Karlisch. The level of comfort you feel listening to this talk will keep you intrigued about learning more about Stephen’s journey. How he ended up in Dallas, shooting interiors, working on book projects, adding fine art and being sought out around the country. His passion beyond his love of photography is to share knowledge to make us all better in the industry and how he loves to speak at markets or do private teaching and coaching with designers and photographers. You will learn about his background in architecture, tennis, fashion photography and how his portrait work became the natural accompaniment that publications and designers request beyond his interior photography expertise. The stories he recounts with notable names of the past, the value of an image that stands the test of time, to the importance of his wife Kristen and her role in the business will keep you hanging on for more. He has some design crushes he hopes to shoot for in the future. See if your name is on his list. And learn more about his fascination with designers and their “why” to their choices.

Thank you to Denise McGaha Interiors for the surprise scoop on Stephen, especially enlightening the listeners to his well known 2:30 pick me up that he needs for those long day shoots.

If this is your first time listening to Stephen, then we highly recommend you also listen to a more in depth educational podcast with LuAnn Nigara, from a Well Designed Business. He gives professional tips to getting the most out of your interior design shoots. He adds more depth about interior photography with secret tips on the Wingnut Social podcast with Darla Powell. Both podcasts have been invaluable to designers across the country and we just love how Jane hugged this podcast into the mix making all three feel well rounded together.

Click here to listen

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!