My thoughts about How to Elevate Your Stylist Eye

Click here to watch a reading of this blog post on IGTV.

Do you remember that part on the Devil Wears Prada where Miranda and her team are choosing clothes for a shoot and one of her assistants holds up two blue belts and says “it’s a tough choice. They’re so different,” and Andi snorts and shakes her head and then Miranda gives her a face-melting speech about how Andi doesn’t know anything about fashion?

(Here’s that part to refresh your memory):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj8mHwvFxMc&t

Not just because Meryl Streep is amazing, but also because these seemingly small things really DO matter. Especially when you’re in a visual-driven industry like we are. One belt buckle can make the difference between a brand feeling luxurious, beautiful, expensive, and timeless, and it feeling cheap, trendy, tired, and maybe even a little tacky…

One model’s expression in my images can take my brand from feeling authentic, warm, inviting, and open, to feeling out of reach, exclusive, and unfriendly.

One bowl I got at a box store can take my brand from feeling hand-made, artisan, beautiful, elevated and one-of-a-kind, to feeling uninteresting and run-of-the-mill.

Do you see it?

Now of course I firmly believe in a time of training where you learn these things for yourself. But I wish I would’ve stopped making excuse for my less-than-great images long ago. For my less-than-great props long ago. It was too easy to say, “well, those are just what I have! I don’t have handmade ceramics like her. This is what I could find at Target,” or “her images are just good because she has a professional photographer friend. I’m never going to get photos like that.”

You can get whatever photos you want. You really can. You have the power.

If you’re wanting a little more hands-on training and experience, check out my free e-course, the Art & Science of Natural Flat Lay Styling. It’s a great way to elevate your eye without all of the pressure of an expensive shoot.