It takes a significant investment of time on the part of the photographer to get to know his or her clients personally, to understand their unique style and how they want their work presented to the world, but to do the best job you can requires a commitment to the designer commensurate with the designers commitment to the photographer. The time invested will result in better photographs as well as  a more enjoyable and profitable relationship for both the photographer and the interior designer.

Getting to know a designer personally requires taking time to chat when you deliver the prints, or to ask why a designer selected these particular colors or inquire about what they were thinking when they selected that particular light fixture and that is beyond the scope of this article. The deepest insights I have ever had regarding the style of my client’s, the inspirations that have allowed me to create the perfect photograph of a project for a particular client have been the result an off hand comment made during a conversation about the design or discussing the degree of success of an image, or lack thereof. So, I strongly advocate that photographers and designers take the time to talk about design theory and style in terms other than furniture arrangement, lighting and styling for the photographs.

A understanding of the general background of interior designers will help the photographer to make use of the vast array of talents, skills and experience the designer brings to a photo shoot to create better photographs and also give them a better understanding of the interior design profession.

Education:
Interior design requires a high degree of education because it is a very demanding profession that requires intelligence, discipline and commitment. Designers will generally have a bachelors degree in interior design. This constitutes four years of specialized education focused entirely on the different aspects of design covering subjects such as psychology, ergonomic, ethics, furniture design, color theory, art history, floral design, architecture, construction, computer aided design, business management and even portfolio construction and presentation.

Training:
Interior designers will have  several years experience as an “apprentice,” or assistant to an established interior designer before they  become licensed as interior designers. During this stage of the designers career they have the opportunity to begin to develop their own style and translate their theoretical education into real world experience.

Continuing Education:
Almost all designers will be members of specialized professional associations such as the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA),  or the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) all of these organizations require the interior designer to acquire a set number of hours of continuing professional education annually.

You can see that the interior designer has knowledge, skills and experience, not to mention artistic talents of a surprising depth and breath that can contribute to the successful completion of any photo shoot whether the project is residential, commercial, hospitality of institutional. This is why you should collaborate  with your clients, actively seeking their input and ideas and always keep an open mind when a client asks a question, or makes a suggestion or a specific request. You can never tell when a simple hand gesture or the turn of a phrase can provide the inspiration you need to turn a good image into the perfect photograph.

Today, people want to spend days indoors, painting their kitchen walls a soft pink hue, and their hallways off-white, and hours sanding down old furniture, but this would require realigning their lifestyles and commitments. It’s not just a question of having the know-how; it’s about freeing up the time in a hectic schedule.

If you can’t DIY, then the next best thing is to have craftsmen who love what they do, to help you design your own furniture in Queens or in five boro.  Some people many baulk at what they imagine the costs will be.  You want to remember that you will be purchasing a keep-sake that you’ll want to pass on to your children. And there really is not price-tag that you can attach to a dining set or bookcase or stool, which matches how it feels to be surrounded by furniture, made to match your taste. It’s the same feeling as wearing clothes that fit you well, or wearing your favorite colors. You’ll feel immediately at ease when you come in the hall and put your keys on the little stand in the hall.

What appeals to me is the impact this will have on your home.  Put your personal flair in one corner, step back, admire the handiwork and you’ll be drawn to more of the same.  My hand-made solid oak table has compelled me to buy a gorgeous array of pottery and plates.  I have green-leaf art deco plates, rose flower cups and saucers from the antique fair, white pasta dishes engraved with oil branches, and silver cutlery to match.  And it’s this same table I bought a bright-yellow-orange Mediterranean table cloth for.

I’m into the feel-good feel that only comes with the personalized touch.  It’s not a feeling you’ll get if you buy from the local chair dealer, who’s selling his chairs as fast as he can get them out the shop door.

Go to NYC Custom Furniture (www.NYCCustomFurniture.com), and share their success. With 20 years in the furniture industry, they have mastered the art of customizing, from conception to creation. They’ll put you at ease immediately, with their portfolio of clients, and the authenticity of the testimonials of satisfaction.