8:00 AM – Packing the Car and Heading Out
The day starts early. Before heading to the project site, we load up the car with all of our accessories: props, trays, pillows, books, candles, throws, and other finishing touches that bring a lived-in warmth to the space. From there, we make a stop for fresh flowers (always from Jong Young on Avenue Road). Styling for the camera is all about layering and perfecting, and those final details are often the most important part of the shoot.
9:00 AM – Arrival and Setup
When the photographer arrives, we do a walkthrough of the home together. We decide which rooms to shoot first based on the light, and then the furniture shuffle begins. What looks balanced in person doesn’t always translate on camera, so sofas get shifted, chairs are angled, and rugs are nudged a few inches this way or that. One occasional chair might be moved 15 times before the perfect composition is achieved. Each photo is its own canvas, and it requires individual attention. Even in a fully furnished home, we often remove or edit out the client’s personal décor so we can style the space our way. (The best part? Clients often love the finished look so much, they ask us to leave everything exactly as it is!)
Here is a great example of how we edit/style a client’s home to prep for our photoshoot (before: left, after: right):
11:00 AM – The Details
Once the big picture is set, it’s time to focus on the details. We fluff pillows, lay out throws, make the bed better than a West Elm showroom (yes, there’s a whole technique for that!), adjust the drape of curtains,and ensure every frame, vase, and accessory is perfectly placed. Coffee table books are opened to theright pages, fruit bowls are topped up, and beds are smoothed to perfection. It’s about creating a mood and a story, not just a pretty picture.
1:00 PM – Midday Energy
By lunchtime, we’ve usually shot two to three rooms. The team takes a break, reviews the images, and makes notes for any tweaks. This is when we check if the story of the home is coming through—or if we need to push further. After that, we order lunch, reset, and sometimes take a moment for a laugh (or even a little dance) before diving back in.
2:00 PM – Back at It
The afternoon is dedicated to capturing the remaining rooms, each with its own personality and story to tell. Kitchens are styled to feel inviting and full of life—maybe a bowl of fresh fruit, an open cookbook, or a vase of flowers to hint at how the space is used. Living rooms are all about balance and warmth, layered with textures and thoughtful accents that make them both elegant and approachable. Bedrooms demand a softer touch, with perfectly dressed beds and serene details that convey calm and retreat. Even bathrooms get their moment, elevated with plush towels, a tray of essentials, or a candle that adds a touch of luxury. Every detail is carefully considered, and every corner is reviewed through the camera lens to ensure the story of the home shines through.
5:00 PM – Wrap and Reflect
At the end of the day, the house is put back exactly as we found it—or, depending on the client’s request, we invite them back in for a final walkthrough. Seeing their reaction is always one of the most rewarding parts of the process. Photoshoot days don’t happen overnight; they’re the result of a long journey of design, and often renovation, to get to this moment. Finally reaching this stage and seeing it captured so beautifully is incredibly fulfilling.
Below are some of the photographer shots that have been featured in this “day in the life”:
Why It’s All Worth It
Photoshoot days are long and intense, but they’re also deeply rewarding. They allow us to honour the hard work poured into each project and share it with a wider audience. More importantly, they capture the spirit of a home—the personality, the mood, and the story behind the design.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about pretty pictures. It’s about creating a visual legacy of spaces that people love to live in.
