'Interior Styling for Beginners'/KLC School of Design Short Course

Last week I led a one-day short course for KLC School of Design on 'Interior Styling for Beginners'. We had a full complement of 19 attendees, and over the day we covered a variety of topics: the role of the stylist, determining a brief, how to create mood, display and the low-down on great props to use.  We finished off with a whistle-top look at being on location for a shoot.  

A few fail-safe props that are always a good choice ...

What I love about teaching such courses is the generous inter-action with attendees - we had the chance to look at some of their own styling worries at home, and hopefully we collectively came up with some helpful solutions.  My own secret weapon when it comes to styling?  A great selection of black and white photos - they have myriad uses - and a vast library of vases!

And don't forget - a library of different vase shapes is essential, too

Styling Interiors for Photoshoots/BIID/May 2017

It's always a pleasure to deliver the Styling Interiors for Photoshoots workshops for the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID).  This Wednesday I did two sessions.  We started with coffee/tea and a catch-up so I could get to know the designers attending.  With the workshop divided into three parts, the initial focus was on why doing professional shots is essential, a look at the stylist/designer-photographer relationship and the practicalities of a shoot:

Image from Think Home (Ryland Peters & Small) Photography Polly Wreford

We moved swiftly on to looking at 'thinking like a stylist.' I'm always keen to get designers to tap into styling as a skill very different to interior design: we focussed on examples of what works, and what doesn't, before moving on to perfect accessorising and room-by-room tips:

Image from Casual Living (Ryland Peters & Small) Photography Polly Wreford

Then it was time for another coffee/tea break!  And only BIID would display it in such a tempting manner:

For the final part of the workshop, we discussed how to approach a magazine with a potential project, and what publications are looking for.  This week's sessions were great fun, and hopefully everyone learned some useful tips.  I particularly love to hear back from designers after they've attended.  Kate Morris, of 102 Interiors, wrote:  'Thank you for yesterday's course.  It was thought provoking and I thoroughly enjoyed the event itself.  I've been messing about with my house since I got home yesterday, moving things and squinting at vistas!'  

And after all, having a sense of fun and experimentation, is what photographic styling is all about!

Image from Think Home (Ryland Peters & Small) Photography Polly Wreford