Behind The Scenes: Delphinium Design Photoshoots

Jun 1

After months of planning, designing, sourcing, and installing our design projects in Charlotte, we typically wrap things up with the most exciting day of all: the photoshoot. While the home itself is complete, professional photography allows us to capture the feeling, personality, and intentional details that went into designing each space. In many ways, photography becomes the final layer of storytelling for a project.

The images are used throughout our portfolio, shared across our website and social media, featured in publications like SouthPark Magazine and QC Exclusive, and perhaps most importantly, serve as inspiration for future clients. As easy as it would be to snap a few photos on our iPhones, they simply don’t compare to the quality and artistry of professional photography.

Believe it or not, photoshoot days are far from a simple one-and-done experience. They take months of preparation, coordination, and planning to execute successfully. From coordinating schedules between the photographer, contractor, and homeowners to gathering inspiration images, sourcing styling pieces, creating detailed shot lists, and ensuring every last item is delivered on time, there are a lot of moving parts behind the scenes. Let’s just say there are many lists involved.

Leading up to photoshoot day, we wear multiple hats — floral stylist, handywoman, food stylist, mover, and everything in between. Then, on shoot day, the home we’ve spent months designing transforms into a bustling set. The photographer and their assistant work to capture each space in its very best light, while we’re behind the scenes adjusting furniture, styling surfaces, fluffing pillows, and fine-tuning along the way. Because while something may work beautifully in person, it doesn’t always translate the same way through the lens.

This month on the blog we are giving you a “behind the lens” look at what typically happens at one of our interior design photoshoots. We hope you enjoy it!

*We start by bringing in carloads of items that will be used for styling: books, vases, artwork, floral, decorative objects, etc.*

*We often partner with local Charlotte gallery, Art House Charlotte, to incorporate original artwork into our shoots.*

*Built-ins are always the most complicated to style. Although we pre-plan where all of the items will go, inevitably we make final styling decisions once we see everything in person.*

*It’s always a happy day when our clients own items we can use for styling. In this case, our client had a fabulous collection of colored glass, which we incorporated in the shoot.*

Before The Shoot: Styling

The first step in preparing our projects for a photoshoot is styling, which happens a few days before the actual photoshoot day. As we do all of our own styling, we bring in everything! From vases and baskets to artwork, books, and other decorative accessories, we usually arrive at our project with multiple cars full of goodies ready to bring the space to life. Although what we need to style varies by project, it always includes curating styling accessories from our own collection, incorporating meaningful pieces from the homeowners - such as their own china, vases and artwork - and sourcing additional layers from local vendors like Art House Charlotte and Charlotte Rug Gallery, who graciously lend artwork and rugs when we need to add some depth to the space.

For every project we create a vision board that guides the styling direction. What colors do we want to highlight? Should the space feel more minimal or more layered? Are there pieces from previous shoots that we can incorporate in a fresh way? We arrive to our styling days with a clear game plan, but some of the best moments happen when we make adjustments along the way.

You may be wondering why we style our spaces for photoshoots at all? It’s because it’s not just about documenting the finished project. Styling is what brings depth, personality, and life into a space while helping highlight the details that make each project unique.

*The camera picks up every fingerprint and dust spec, so we do a full wipe down of all of the fixtures, countertops, appliances, etc. No smudges allowed!*

*A shopping trip to Trader Joe’s is always necessary for floral arrangements.*

*We do more than prep the interior of a home. When windows are in the shot (and they almost always are) an exterior cleaning is a must!*

*Floral arrangements bring life to our photos and so we incorporate them in every space we design. Nothing is more classic than hydrangeas.*

*Last minute adjustments are always happening.*

After we finish styling the spaces, we get them ready for the camera. This includes a lot of cleaning - vacuuming, dusting, wiping down surfaces, steaming blankets, fluffing pillows and making sure every detail is just right. The camera picks up everything, from dust and smudges to fingerprints and wrinkles. Although photographers can edit images after the shoot, we do our best to eliminate as many of these as possible beforehand.

Fresh floral arrangements are the last of the finishing touches and we love how they instantly bring a space to life in the professional photos. They add softness, color, texture, and a natural element that helps a home feel warm and lived in, which is always the goal. Our favorite place to pick up florals for shoots is Trader Joe’s! And depending on the size of the project, it sometimes takes more than one trip to TJ’s to gather enough flowers to fill the space.

*We start the morning by checking our shot lit - we make one for each shoot.*

*This is just some of the equipment that the photographer brings in.*

Day Of The Shoot

The day of the shoot is a whirlwind. Depending on how many spaces need to be photographed and the time of year (we run out of natural light much earlier in the winter than we do in the spring and summer), our days start early! We start the morning by checking our shot list - something we make for each shoot - which outlines each space that needs to be photographed and which shots need to happen in each space. This may include a wide shot of the overall space as well as detail shots like as a close-up of a corner of the kitchen island or the built-ins. After doing so, we do any last minute cleaning and adjustments and then get the ball rolling.

*Testing the light happens for every single shot, even if it’s the same space!*

*A BTS look at the things we do to get the perfect shot. :)*

*We review each image as soon as its taken and make necessary adjustments.*

*Sometimes all it takes is moving a vase a little to the left for it to work - and we watch it happen live on an iPad that’s tethered to the camera.*

*We zoom in on each photo to make sure all of the details are just right. You may be surprised by the amount of time we spend tweaking fruit placement. ;)*

Every shot requires careful attention to detail, such as selecting the right lenses, lighting, and flash settings. The process is incredibly intricate, which is why capturing a single image can sometimes take up to an hour from setup to final shot. Throughout the day, we’re constantly adjusting and moving furniture, florals, books, throws, and accessories so everything is positioned perfectly for the camera. As we mentioned earlier, what looks beautiful in person doesn’t always translate the same way on camera, which means photoshoot days are nonstop. It’s a true collaborative effort between us and the photographer to ensure every image looks beautiful and feels right.

Another thing that we oftentimes do at our photoshoots is capture content for the holidays. It could be in the middle of July, but at a Delphinium Design shoot, it might as well be December! As the home is already prepped, cleaned, and fully styled for the shoot, it’s the perfect opportunity to swap in seasonal décor and photograph the spaces for future holiday content. We’ll swap out hydrangeas for pine garland and hang a wreath or two to instantly give the space a little holiday spirit.