Laurelhurst Renovation | Seattle Interior Photographer

I’m so excited to share this renovation with you today! In one of the historic neighborhoods of Seattle, this home got a full lower level refresh with a new kitchen, living room and dining room. It’s beautifully designed for its resident, a baker (who graced us with scones on the shoot day — they were props and then became our snacks!). I worked with the Seattle interior design team Corr & Steele on this shoot day. A wonderful pair, we collaborated on making each shot just perfect.

My approach to photography is all about collaboration and creativity. I focus on maintaining consistency in my work through careful composition, natural lighting, and elevated styling. The best shoots happen when both my client and I enjoy the process of capturing beautiful spaces. I'm passionate about what I do, and shoot days are always enjoyable. By shooting tethered to a screen, we can make small adjustments to styling and composition, resulting in inviting, editorial-quality images. When it comes to editing, I prefer a clean and natural style, with minimal use of Photoshop tricks. I achieve a bright and natural light look without the use of flash, which I feel makes for a flattened image.

I’m based in Seattle but take projects all over! I was recently in Orange County and Atlanta, and often take photography projects in my hometown of Chicago. The best thing about traveling for interior photography work is seeing how architecture and design styles vary depending on the location.

Design: Corr & Steele

Construction: Darren Patt Construction

The Lazy Way to Look Put Together

I love a good shortcut. Especially when it comes to getting dressed, I love it when I can feel pulled together quickly and it’s not a giant chore or force of creativity. Some days it’s just function! I still like to feel elevated even if I only spent 30 seconds choosing out my outfit, though, which is where the power of monochromatic dressing comes in really handy.

Pick a color, any color! Today I chose white because a have a zillion white tops, and I’ve just added a pair of white jeans that I like to my wardrobe. Not only will this outfit take me through a video shoot I have later today, but as I sit here at my desk getting work done, I feel a lot more powerful than if I had simply left on my pajamas.

When going monochromatic, having a few good accessories helps to punctuate the look and add some visual interest. I love this new woven raffia bag. I decided to carry the black into my shoes for some nice contrast. I added a few statement jewelry pieces and that’s it! I will say that having a shorter hair style also makes my outfits feel a little more put together. Add that to the long list of reasons to get a bob!

Shirt: Everlane

Jeans: Levis (size up)

Shoes: Sezane

Bag: Quince

Bainbridge New Construction | Seattle Interior Design Photography

Capturing the essence of a custom-designed home on Bainbridge Island is an interior photographer's dream. When the design brilliance of Noble Interiors meets the staging finesse of McKith Interiors, we get this — a stunning and unique space that feels anything but builder-grade. As a photographer, stepping into such a thoughtfully designed space means there are few tough angles, and my job is just to compose beautiful images based on light and texture. McKith Interiors reached out to photograph this home in an editorial style. It’s hitting the MLS but real estate photos often display a home in a really specific way, and they wanted their work to be shown in a more lifestyle, natural style. This is my specialty, and I love it when I can show a space in detail with artful compositions. I get even more excited when my clients get excited about this process!

One of the most captivating aspects of photographing this home is the seamless dance between the hard finishes and thoughtful staging. Noble Interiors' design ethos, often rooted in embracing natural elements, ensures that the spaces work with natural light in a tonal quality. This not only highlights the architectural details but also creates an inviting feeling that translates through photographs. At that point McKith Interiors caught the baton and paired the space with artfully crafted furnishings and decor that highlighted the natural beauty of the home, keeping in mind its peaceful PNW setting.

The best part about when the design and furnishings are a perfect match? Editorial-worthy photographs that effortlessly blend the warmth of natural light with the sophistication of a well-staged interior. Each image not only showcases the beauty of the space but also evokes a sense of lifestyle and aspiration. From the soft glow of afternoon light filtering through the windows into the cozy great room to the dramatic interplay of the office through the striking arched glass doors, every moment captured reflects this excellent mashup of light and design.

It was so much fun to photograph this project! Haley McKinley, the owner of McKith Interiors, shadowed me on this shoot holding the “client iPad” where you can see images as I’m taking them. It’s the best way to go about a shoot like this where details really matter and small adjustments to composition make a big difference. With her brilliant eye, we were able to rotate things just a bit or nudge a chair this way or that to create visually balanced editorial images that feel different from traditional real estate photos.

Interior Design: Noble Interiors

Staging: McKith Interiors

Two Brands I'll Be Wearing All Summer

The first time my husband and I visited Seattle together was in May 2014. Ten years ago! We had just decided to uproot our lives in Chicago and make the big move out west. We arrived with hopes to find a place to live which was SUCH a mad dash with some more than interesting experiences learning about the crazy Seattle market! We also enjoyed a lot of adventures and started envisioning our lives here.

Flash forward ten years, we’re really feeling settled. It takes forever. MAN, does it take forever! We rented and moved around and started having kids and changed jobs and everything has been up in the air like crazy, except that right now we are just cruising, and it feels really good. I love our house that we’re renovating slowly but surely, and I’m loving our neighborhood which has this incredible spot, Kubota Garden, just a few blocks away. This time of year it’s downright Seussical with its big rhododendron blooms and bursting greens.

Today I enjoyed a stroll around the garden in some new pieces from some of my favorite brands, Tradlands and Freda Salvador. Both are women-owned sustainable brands with incredible attention to quality and craftsmanship. I’ve partnered with them for a little while and am really proud to be a part of their community.

Outfit details:

Tradlands Nico Dress in Petite Fleurs — you can use my discount code EMILYKEENEY15 for 15% off.

Freda Salvador Roma Round Toe Ballet Flat in Chartreuse — you can use my discount code EMILY15 for 15% off.

If you make a purchase through these links I may earn a small commission. I only share brands I trust and love. Thank you!