Wednesday
Feb162011
The Accidental Stylist
Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 2:12PM 
People ask me all the time how to arrange items so that they look pretty in photos. Well, here is a secret: if you start with beautiful items, you don't really have to do very much work. The photo above is a great example, since the entire thing was kind of an accident. The hot (and hawt) pink Epiphanie bag* was already on the kitchen table when I came home from work. Then, as a surprise for when everyone else got home, I arranged the macarons and king cake we bought at Sucre in New Orleans on two random cake plates. (Seriously random -- I have no idea where either plate came from.) The sun was sort of shining through the window at the time, and I realized that all of it looked really pretty together, so I moved everything closer to the light and grabbed my camera (fitted with that cheapie 50mm lens that everyone should have by now. If you don't have it, remedy that sad situation immediately.)
Everything was done before I even started arranging things. All I did was put the smaller cake plate in front of the bigger one (obvs), and added in a silver vase with some sparkly picks inside (for no other reason than it was already in the kitchen with me.)
I mean, this little vignette doesn't even make any sense. It's not even a very good picture. But it looks kind of pretty, doesn't it? That's because I started with beautiful things shot in nice light, and they did all the work for me.
Voila! You are now a stylist + photographer. Go forth and bust out some beauty.
PS. You can never go wrong with macarons. The reason you see them in so many styled photos is because they look good with everything, even king cakes and camera bags. Yes, they're a total cliche, I know, I've heard. Who cares?
*For you old-school Flickr people, you'll be tickled to know that the Epiphanie bag I have is the "Clover," named after one of Sesame Ellis's twins! It was a gift from the delightful Maile and is super fabulous.
Reader Comments (14)
And now I'm wishing that I bought the "Clover" in pink instead of grey. *sigh*
I got an emera bag for my birthday last year, but it's so bulky and stiffly square-shaped... do you love your epiphanie bags? Because I just might have to indulge...
I do love it, Anna! I particularly love it for client meetings because I can fit my camera, laptop, measuring tape, and, um, a hammer in it.
AB, what kind of camera do you use? I'm looking to move up to a DSLR and I'm not sure where I'm start, but I love your photos!
Alright, this spurs me to ask you to post one of those "what's in your bag?" photos (because I am nosy, and because I think yours would be fun).
@Beth: I use a Canon Digital Rebel. It is a few years old, not sure of the model.
@jive turkey: You're on.
Oh! Oh! What's in your bag, please! I wanna see that hammer!
as usual, your photo rocks! think i should get myself that 50mm lens. x captn
Hi there ab! I was referred over here by a tweet from Epiphanie bags! I just love them and am hoping to save up for the opportunity to splurge on one. Lucky girl you are to have received one as a gift. Your photo is very pretty and colorful - just what this drab winter needs! Perhaps we are kindred bloggers - I just love my Rebel and 50mm lens too!
Such a nice photo - the light is just so pretty!
I covet that pink camera bag. I might have to ask for it for my birthday!
Hello, I missed delurking day! But I love your site, your style, your house. I am hoping to one day have two of the above of my own. Looking forward to the future of not-hashai!
I love this.
I have a feeling I'm going to need to subscribe... only 2 posts in! =)