Who isn’t in love with interior design? And what’s better than having a home right on the beach? Having a home in Palmetto Bluff.
And what about when this home is nestled along the scenic May River in South Carolin’s Lowcountry and is a natural haven for both relaxation and adventure? What about when this home has a spacious front and back porch fit for entertaining that is complete with bed porch swings and an incredible canopy of live oaks? Pare with that the Montage Resort and all of that it offers… nightly bonfires with s’mores, kayaking, bike riding, skeet shooting, the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, dolphin tours, salt-water fishing, fly fishing, paddle boarding, Veuve Clicquot picnic, and bike tours complete with Veuve Clicquot bubbly (sign me up) and the wayyyy cool four-story treehouse at Mooreland Landing.
Absolutely nothing is better…that is, as long as you have a pro interior designer to make it come to life and live up to its expectations. This is where Kelly Caron of Kelly Caron Designs comes in. Per the Kelly Caron Designs website:
“Kelly Caron Designs is a boutique design studio based in Bluffton, South Carolina, in the heart of the Lowcountry’s thriving design district. We create tailored environments, constructed with precision, luxury design elements and meticulous attention to detail.
Our design team brings years of experience to each project and allows for clients to visualize every aspect of the design – from start to finish. We are accomplished in discovering and defining our clients’ vision. Our passion is bringing southern soul and inspiration from our unique Lowcountry surroundings to each and every client.”
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The Lisa Staff Photography team – AKA me – had the opportunity to photograph Kelly’s work on a new Palmetto Bluff escape (really a dream retreat) between Hilton Head and Savannah this summer. She was in charge of the interior design of the whole home however, the kitchen was where the details of her work I’m featuring today. And me being a photographer who is drawn to fabulous design and enjoys wonderful interiors, I gravitated towards this space in particular.
For me, the combination of my love for photography, design, and interiors makes interior design photography the perfect mix for me. I love aesthetics and incorporating that with my OCD of getting all of the pretty details in the right setting results in a dream fit.
Keep scrolling for peaks at this drop-dead gorgeous backyard, learn more about this project in particular and how Kelly and the team worked their magic.
Here are a few of my basic tips for making your interior design photography elevate.
1. Get Rid of the Clutter.
Get rid of the clutter. Do it with no mercy. It can detract from the overall shot.
2. Be Intentional
Be intentional about everything that you are shooting. Slow down. Choose your angles. Decide if it is just a vignette or an overall room image. Move things if you must to get it lined up perfect for the shots.
3. Master Your Lighting
Master your lighting. You will want to be cognizant of the best time of day to capture those interiors meshed with the siting of the home to maximize your result and capitalize on the lighting.
4. More Lighting
More lighting… cuz lighting is everything. Know how to mesh the natural light with strobe to enhance the feeling that you are going for. Fill in those dark spots. Soften the look of the room. Get dramatic. It’s all done by being a master of light.
5. Get Comfortable With Using a Tripod
Get comfortable with using a tripod. I know. They can be a pain in the ass when you are trying to “flow” and be creative. Yes, they slow you down. But there is no freaking way that you can handhold at the speed that you are going to be using and keep it crisp.
6. Know Your Client
Know your client and discuss the look and feel for your interior photography before you start. Invest time in learning their aesthetic so that you can have the perfect mind meld
7. Lighting Again!
- Lighting again. I know. I know. Get a light meter. Be the professional that you are. And get it right in camera. You want to be able to show your clients your work as you go and how embarrassing is it if they shoot something better on their iPhone? You don’t ever want to say “I know it’s dark but we can fix it in post”, No! Do it right to begin with. What if you decide to shoot tethered and your shots look like crap? Get it right to begin with. You will enjoy the process more, be less stressed and enjoy the process more.
Keep scrolling for peaks at this drop-dead gorgeous backyard, learn more about this project in particular and how Kelly and the team worked their magic.
When Kelly took on this project, her biggest goal was “to blend a peaceful, relaxing vibe from the outside-in”. As you can see in the photographs, the whole backside of the home allowed for indoor-outdoor living and Kelly was on a mission to make it feel like a seamless transition. Like when you were inside you still got the vibe of nature and when you were outside you still harbored some of the secluded, warm feel of the inside. I’d say she can mark this goal as being accomplished. Who agrees?
I also talked to Kelly about what the inspiration behind the design was…” I was truly inspired by the outdoor elements! Inspired by Palmetto Bluff, and layers of natural nature in-between each element while adding a little modern edge….”. With the outdoors being literally RIGHT THERE, I think the Kelly Caron team hit the nail on the head. As you walk around the home and the back porch, you have all the feels of the beach and are surrounded by elements that draw you back to the nature that’s just a few steps outside your door.
As a photographer in Hilton Head, I cherish the times I get to collaborate with other creatives of a different creative realm who aid in making the Lowcountry what it is. And right now I’m in the midst of redesigning some rooms in my house. For real. What about you?
Interested in more home interior design? Check out this gorgeous interior design content creation Lisa Staff Photography here and here.
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