Lifestyle Brand Photography in Seattle | Bamboo Abode

Creating a visually stunning brand is an art form, and capturing your product in a visually beautiful way is so impactful to the development and success of your brand identity. In commercial photoshoots, not only is the goal to attract new customers, but to hone in on the story that your brand tells so that it attracts raving fans vs just driving individual conversions. Planning your photoshoot is a collaborative process between us, and the more you’re able to bring to the table the better the result.

This recent shoot with Bamboo Abode is the poster child for what happens when a brand has done their homework and planning to create a beautiful shoot. There is enough structure for success while leaving some white space for improvisation and the unpredictable moments where light shines in in just a certain way.

1. Inspiration and Theme: Start by gathering inspiration for your photoshoot. Consider the vibe you want to convey – is it rustic and cozy, modern and chic, or perhaps a blend of both? Choose a theme that aligns with your brand and the message you want to send.

2. Location Scouting: Seattle is brimming with photogenic locations that can enhance the visual appeal of your charcuterie board. Make sure the location complements your chosen theme and provides ample natural light for those perfect shots.

3. Product Design: Before the photoshoot, carefully curate your products to reflect your brand's aesthetic. Consider the color palette, textures, and arrangement of elements. When you’re going for a brand photoshoot, it’s less about featuring every single piece you offer and more about creating an intentional collection to tell the strongest story.

4. Props and Styling: Enhance the visual storytelling of your brand by incorporating props and styling elements. In this shoot, we used elegant serving utensils, rustic cutting boards, fresh herbs, and decorative plates to add a touch of sophistication to the photos. Consider the overall color scheme and choose props that complement the theme and mood of your shoot. We brought the products to life with a lifestyle portion to the shoot models interacting with the product.

5. Plan & Outline: Think about the final use of the images you’re creating. Where will they be used? What orientation will the need to be shot in to provide the crop ratio you’ll need? What are the most important themes you need to explore? Using all of this information, draft an outline. Even if the shoot strays a bit from this, it will ensure the most important elements are covered. I love leaving space for inspiration to strike and for improvisation. I’m happy to help in the production but am not a brand agency, so the more direction you come into the shoot process with the better the result.

Enjoy these photos from our Bamboo Abode shoot! Shop their beautiful products here!

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!

Seattle Interior Photographer | Eclectic Architectural Renovation

Like many cities around the US, Seattle is full of amazing old properties that deliver big on charming tree-lined streets and character, and maybe not so much when it comes to square footage. With a competitive real estate market (and a knack for historical preservation), many homeowners are deciding to renovate older homes to create modern, inviting living spaces that cater to today’s needs. With many interior design and architectural firms in Seattle, homeowners can put a little vision into a set of very professional hands for optimal results. In this case, the owners entrusted Office of Ordinary, a women-owned and operated architecture firm to take a small and very divided Seattle home and transform it into a spacious retreat with vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan.

When I showed up to photograph this project, I was floored by the homeowner’s amazing antique collection, including bentwood Colonial chairs and historic French armoires collected over the years by the homeowner, having lived France for many years. As I picked my jaw up off the floor, Office of Ordinary’s founder, Sandy Wolf, explained to me that the space was actually designed to accommodate these pieces. To me, that effort of historical preservation and reverence for antiquity is noble, commendable, and just really super cool.

As an interior and architectural photographer in Seattle, I’ve learned to never rely on sunshine for beautiful photos. Sure enough, on shoot day it was pouring down rain and I opted for a single-trip gear haul, white-knuckling and hunched as I darted from my car to the cozy oasis of the house. By using a tripod and long exposure method, I’m able to ensure the interior photographs are bright, natural, and inviting. Dark days present a fun opportunity to share with my design clients the technical tricks to my work that make changing light conditions just another variable in creating beautiful images. The same rule applies when I’m photographing in the winter months in Chicago — even if the sky is full of clouds and snow, I’ll insist we turn off all the lights and use the powers of long exposures and bracketed images to achieve that natural glow look and feel.

Enjoy this beautiful home and check out Office of Ordinary for your renovation project!

Travel Airbnb Photography | Best Practices + A New Poconos Listing

In my fifteen years wielding a camera, the thing that has called to me the most has been traveling to new places and capturing the essence through thoughtful photography.

Telling the story of the interiors, noticing the elements that make a space beautiful and that catch the light, and the compositions of the lines of the architecture and furniture, keeping note of balance and rhythm, all these things are swirling around in my head while I’m working. And then, of course, when I take it outdoors and capture the scenery and nature, that just adds so much to the story of a place.

Because I’ve basically been nerding out on this for a good chunk of my photography career, it’s all become such an internal process, and I’m going to try to explain some best practices for setting up your Airbnb or VRBO for success when it comes to photography (and beyond!).

1. Let the light in. When you photograph a space in natural light, you’re relying on ambient light that comes from the windows. In order to maximize this airiness and brightness in your listing photos, you’ll want to ensure that the light can find its way in. Avoid heavy blinds that break with frequent use or curtains that are burdensome to open. You want guests to easily be able to navigate the window coverings, and to experience as much natural light as possible.

2. Turn the lights off. This might feel counterintuitive (and contrary to real estate photography which has a TOTALLY different approach and purpose!) but keeping the lights off will ensure that the orange and yellow tones that artificial light casts does not make its way into your photos. That’s one of the simplest ways to ensure you have bright whites that feel clean and fresh. OK, and while we’re talking about lighting for your Airbnb, be sure to not use the cool “daylight” bulbs that have a sterile look! Warm light is the most welcoming for short term rentals (and just everyday life).

3. Layer your space. To avoid an Airbnb that feels clinical and quickly thrown together, take the time to collect accent pieces like throw pillows, cozy and beautiful blankets, shelf decor, and plenty of plants (living or artificial). A really basic room can be turned into an experience with 5-6 additional pieces and a little thought on placement. Guests don’t need a lot of practical storage or surface areas, so fill the shelves and surfaces thoughtfully and fully. I love it when I’m traveling and my Airbnb or VRBO has a lived-in feeling. I’ve often started novels I found on shelves to pick up on at home, leafed through inspiring interiors coffee table books found on the coffee table, and browsed a record collection. Not to mention, all these things add so much visual interest in your listing photography. These “lifestyle” elements tell the story of your short term rental and create warmth and relatability in your listing.

4. Give it a signature experience based on location. If your rental property is in the woods, having amenities like a hot tub, sauna and fire pit lead not only to great lifestyle imagery but to great guest experiences. If your location experiences different weather, be sure to stock it with things that guests can enjoy year round. Bags are great for summertime, but sleds and snowshoes are so cool in the winter! If you have a city oasis, consider an epic record collection, a great library of board games, and a walking guide that takes a guest through your favorite coffee shops, bookstores, and local burger joints. If you have a gift basket, include items from local businesses to encourage community and help your guest feel immersed in the micro-culture of your short term rental location.

There is so much more I want to say, so stay tuned for more Airbnb/VRBO/hospitality tips down the line. Till then, enjoy these images from the White Oak Chalet, a brand new Airbnb listing in the Poconos Mountains of Pennsylvania, which completely mastered all of the items I listed above.

Extremely spacious, settled in a quiet neighborhood a stone’s throw from a beautiful lake, and stocked to the brim with amenities and activities, this spot is begging for group travel. The theater room alone is super impressive (the first I’ve seen in a short term rental!), and it’s just the tip of the iceberg.

I stayed for a few days to capture the magic and kept thinking about how I wish I had all my friends with me (there would be room for all of them and more!). It’s the perfect spot for families traveling together or a group of friends wanting to get away from the bustle of New York City, Pittsburgh, or Philadelphia and into the quiet of the rolling forests. I especially loved paying a visit to Hickory Run State Park nearby, going for jogs in the winding streets of the neighborhood, and taking in the sounds of crickets at night. I even made a couple deer friends.

You can book the White Oak Chalet on Airbnb now!