Warm Modern Bellevue Home | Seattle + Chicago Interior Photographer

Creating a home space that feels elevated, layered and livable is second nature to Erinn Chapman. She can see spaces in any condition and bring out the best of their potential in a way that transcends trend and infuses spaces with creativity. Anchoring spaces with great furniture pieces and strategic spatial planning, she then layers the room with accents and textiles that create a sense of home, in its most aspirational sense. These spaces are livable and invite daily use, and do not feel overly precious or staged.

I’ve photographed Erinn’s interior design and renovation projects all over the greater Seattle area. In this Bellevue home, we approached the shoot as a team (my favorite), and captured each shot with an attention to detail and composition, telling the story of her work and the inhabitants who live amongst it. I learn so much from our photoshoots, as her eye for styling is truly unmatched. As an interior photographer with projects all over the country (namely in Seattle and Chicago), my goal is to create lasting relationships with my clients to the point that the word “client” almost doesn’t cut it. (Creative collaborators? Kindred spirits in interior obsession?) Nothing fills my cup more than rolling up my sleeves on shoot days and working together to capture spaces in the most beautiful way possible, and to have a heck of a good time doing it.

Thank you always for your partnership, Erinn!

Airy Bellingham Airbnb | Vacation Rental Photography

Nestled in the picturesque city of Bellingham, where nature's beauty takes you away from the bustle of Seattle, lies a hidden gem—a short-term rental home exuding bright and airy vibes and adorned with whimsical decor. With lush greenery as its backdrop (it’s surrounded by nature preserve), this charming home invites guests to check out of the grind and into the imaginative state of being that an inspiring and restorative getaway is so good for. This was such a fun home to photograph and brings me to a few key points of a successful short term rental listing photos shoot:

• Embracing Natural Light:

Photographing a bright and airy home starts with harnessing the power of natural light. In Bellingham, sunlight filters through the dense foliage, lending a soft, ethereal glow to the surroundings. Maximize this vibe by opening curtains and blinds to allow ample light to flood the space. Notice the way that light naturally interacts with the space. Turn off the overhead lights and allow for nature’s light source to take the lead.

• Composing the Perfect Shot:

To showcase the whimsical decor and the seamless integration with the surrounding greenery, pay attention to composition. Frame the shot to capture the home's unique elements both in tight composition and in a pulled back shot that gives an idea of the full space. Preserve window views by bracketing exposures, especially when they help tell the story of the space.

• Colors and Textures:

The color palette and textures play a crucial role in the ambiance of this vacation home. Pay attention to the details that the designer painstakingly selected. This house has an amazing juxtaposition of glam and nature, and it’s done really well. I loved the combination of the mirror backsplash with the black marble countertops. In the dining area, an antler chandelier perfectly plays off of floral dining chairs next to yet another pattern in the subtle wallpaper. Incorporating a few of these relationships into a shot brings together the design vision.

• Accessorizing the Scene:

In order to fully immerse the viewer in the home, a few key accessories help to bring the vision together. Adding in a few small lifestyle elements really makes the difference between photos that feel real estate vs. luxury travel and hospitality. A glass next to a book signifies a relaxing place to read. A blanket over an adirondack near the firepit suggests a cozy bonfire.

• Outdoor Oasis:

The beauty of this rental home lies not only indoors but also in the enchanting outdoor spaces. Bellingham's greenery provides an idyllic backdrop, so venture outside to capture the magic of the surrounding nature. Photograph a hammock nestled among the trees, the large lawn perfect for active kids and great privacy from neighbors. Incorporating these outdoor shots into your collection will complete the story of this serene retreat.

This is really just the tip of the iceberg of what goes through my head during a shoot, but it gives a solid starting point to plan a successful shoot! Get in touch if you’d like to bring your property to life through engaging, vivid, bright photography.

This house is offered by Gather Vacations.

Contractor: Bellingham Bay Builders

Design: Andrea Zakharoff

You can book this beauty on Airbnb here.

Seattle Bright White Kitchen | Interior Photography and Video

I recently had the pleasure of styling and shooting a beautiful all white kitchen for Lux Design Builds. It was a fun-filled shoot day, and I'm sure you'll be amazed to see how this kitchen looks anything but sterile or boring! The detail in the hardware and finishes gives it a dynamic, layered look that’s absolutely gorgeous.

My favorite approach to photoshoots is to take an active part in the styling. Not only does accessorizing a space intentionally bring a visual edge, but it adds a storytelling element to the shoot that comes through in photos. I jokingly say that I’ve been preparing for this all my life, but I’ve been collecting unique home accessories since I was a teenager. Pieces that I bring to photoshoots live around my house and are constantly getting shuffled and rotated. I spend time with these accessories and they all have stories.

When I style an interior photoshoot, I look at the space beforehand in photographs and do some pre-planning. I collect pieces into a bit of a mood board and use that as a launching point for the rest of the accessories that I collect. I try to avoid over-planning and allow for some last minute changes once I’m on site on the photoshoot day. I always bring more than I need and make swaps based on the overall chemistry of the room.

A well-styled space will bring your eye through the photo intentionally, drawing the viewer to observe the design details in an authentic way.

Enjoy this beautiful kitchen!

Lux Design Builds does a great job gathering client testimonials (they have many happy customers). This video was created to show off their work and hear from their clients. I shot and edited this video as well! Adding interior design video coverage is a great way to show the space in a different way. I imagine all my favorite HGTV shows’ big “reveal moments” when I shoot video. It should feel aligned with the photos and take the viewer into the scene in a a fresh way.