Should You Hire an Interior Stylist for Project Shoots?

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When photographing projects for your portfolio, accurately capturing the beauty and functionality of every space is absolutely essential. Faithful representation of each project shows your firm’s vision, your client’s aesthetic and lifestyle and your team’s strengths. Often working in tandem with your photographer, the right interior stylist can help present each space in the best possible light—so prospective clients and partners notice the key aesthetic details and functional elements that make it special.

Collaboration with an interior stylist can be great when done right but there’s always a risk the original design intent gets lost or overpowered. Plus it’s another cost to your project. In this article we weigh the pros and cons of working with an interior stylist before photographing portfolio projects. Read on!

Interior Decorators Vs. Interior Stylists

An interior stylist focuses on the aesthetic presentation of a space. Unlike interior designers who deal with the structural, functional and space planning aspects of a residential or commercial interior, stylists focus solely on decorative elements. For example an interior stylist will not choose window treatments but they might decide how drapes and shades are styled for photography.

They curate and arrange interiors to create visually appealing settings—often for photoshoots, ads or specific events. Interior styling involves making temporary changes to a space—especially when staging homes for sale or setting up for a photo shoot. Their additions can be removed when the client moves in.

Interior stylists are knowledgeable about current design trends and can incorporate modern styles or classic elements based on the project’s requirements. They often work with photographers, magazine editors and other professionals for editorial features or ads.

In many cases interior stylists work alongside interior designers to determine how a space will be presented in the design firm’s portfolio. They might not share styling ideas with the designer’s client.

and interior decorators…

Interior decorators focus on the decorative elements of a space—color schemes, furniture selection, textiles, lighting and accessories. Unlike an interior designer an interior decorator doesn’t make structural changes to a space. Interior decorating works within the existing layout and structure.

Decorators work closely with clients to understand their preferences and lifestyles—so the final design reflects the client’s personality and functional needs. One key difference between an interior stylist and an interior decorator is that the changes made by decorators are for long term use.

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They aim to create a cohesive and harmonious living or working environment for the client. While many decorators have formal training, take interior design classes or obtain certifications, it’s not always a requirement. Their expertise is often based on natural talent, experience and a keen eye for design.

Both interior stylists and decorators focus on the aesthetics of a space but their purposes, approaches and areas of expertise can differ.

An interior stylist is more about creating a specific “look” for a temporary purpose or event while an interior decorator works to enhance the overall decor and functionality of a space for long term use.

Should Interior Designers Hire Interior Stylists for Portfolio Projects?

As an interior designer you might consider hiring an interior stylist and professional photographer for projects that will be the stars of your online portfolio. The interior design industry is super competitive and a stunning digital portfolio that truly reflects your firm’s work is priceless.

Hiring an interior stylist for project photoshoots might be the way to go. Here are a few pros and cons to weigh before working with a stylist.

Pros of Collaborating with an Interior Stylist for Photo Shoots

Expertise in Styling

Many designers hire stylists for their expertise and for the time it saves their design team. An interior stylist has an eye for detail and can add the finishing touches that make a space look magazine worthy. They can elevate the overall aesthetic of the photoshoot.

Trend Awareness

Stylists are often up to date with the latest trends and can incorporate elements that make the photos look current and appealing. If styling a client’s home or your own home for sale this awareness can be helpful.And if your target market follows interior design trends this photography can be repurposed for blog posts, newsletters and other content to catch the eye of potential clients.

Collaboration

A stylist can work with your photographer to get the best angles of the interior architecture, lighting that captures the space’s ambiance and color palette and arrangements of decor—so the design is showcased in the best possible way.

Increase in Value Perception

Even the best executed interior designs can fall flat in photography. Life given to a space when clients move back in can make it feel more dynamic and resonant. Imagine a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter, a slightly rumpled duvet or a book on the seat of a bay window.

Interior styling can make a space feel real and lived in. The cohesive and curated look that styling provides can also add an air of luxury. For example how fresh flowers make a space look so much more elegant and inviting. Prospective clients can imagine living in such a space. So well styled photographs can increase the perceived value of the designer’s work—bring in higher end clients or more publicity.

Styling can be expensive. Not all designers will pay to have their projects styled. In competitive markets a well styled space can help your firm stand out from the competition.

Versatility

An interior designer focuses on the space’s day to day functionality and appearance according to the client’s preferences. A stylist can handle the nuances of the photo shoot—so everything looks perfect in each shot. Stylists can also show the versatility of a space by styling it different ways for different shots.

Potential Drawbacks of Working with an Interior Stylist

Additional Costs

Hiring a professional stylist is an extra expense. You need to weigh this cost against the benefits.

Potential Style Clashes

There may be differences in vision between the designer and the stylist. It’s essential to have clear communication and alignment in design intent.

Over-Styling

Whether a dining room or a primary suite, there’s a risk that functional spaces might end up looking too “staged” or unrealistic if over-styled. This can do a serious disservice to the original design concepts and existing space.

Consistency Issues

If a designer has been working on multiple areas of a property or project they may have a cohesive theme or style in mind. An interior stylist—if not fully briefed—may introduce elements that disrupt this cohesion.

Loss of Authenticity

The designer’s original vision may be overpowered if the stylist’s input is too dominant. This may not only upset the designer but the client.

Clients hire interior designers with certain expectations based on the designer’s portfolio and style. If an interior stylist makes significant changes the end result may not align with what the client was expecting and will be disappointed.

How Much Does an Interior Stylist Cost?

The cost to hire an interior stylist can vary greatly depending on several factors including location, reputation and scope of work. Just like any service rates can differ significantly based on the region or city. For example hiring an interior stylist in a major metropolitan area or design hub may be more expensive than in a smaller town.

Experience and expertise also dictate the cost. Established stylists with a strong portfolio and industry recognition charge higher fees than those just starting out. The size and complexity of the project can also impact the cost.

Commercial projects may cost more to style than single family homes. The cost can vary based on the type of service too. For example home staging for real estate may have a different pricing structure than editorial styling for a magazine shoot.

Some stylists charge by the hour, others may offer a flat fee for a specific project. If the project requires multiple days or extensive planning the cost will be higher. Depending on the project there may be additional expenses involved.

These costs can also include expenses for props, furniture rentals, accessories or any other items needed for the styling. Some stylists may charge a markup on these items. Some stylists charge a separate fee for initial consultations while others may include it in their overall service fee.

Common Fee Structures

Common fee structures include hourly, flat fees and packages or retainers. An interior stylist may charge anywhere from $50 to $200 or more per hour depending on their experience and reputation. For specific projects like commercial spaces or editorial shoots stylists may offer a flat fee.

Depending on the creative concepts involved this can range from a few hundred dollars for smaller projects to several thousand dollars for larger or more complex assignments. Some stylists offer package deals or retainer agreements for ongoing work—which may provide some cost savings for clients.

Get a detailed quote or proposal from the stylist outlining the scope of work, estimated hours and any additional expenses. This will give you clarity on what to expect and help with budgeting for the project.

Final Thoughts on Hiring an Interior Stylist for Your Design Project

Whether or not to hire an interior stylist for project photoshoots largely depends on the interior designer’s confidence in their styling abilities, the budget for the photoshoot, and the desired outcome. If the goal is to have high-quality, magazine-worthy photographs that might attract more clients or publicity, then investing in an interior stylist can be a wise decision.

However, if the designer is confident in their styling skills and has a clear vision for the photoshoot, they might choose to handle the styling themselves.

Are you interested in becoming an interior stylist? Consider taking an online course like this one from NYIAD. These online courses teach color theory, portfolio development, and more.