Learn how Kristen Mayfield, Nashville’s hottest interior design photographer, always captures the perfect shot.
The Importance of Photography: An Interview with Kristen Mayfield
As one of Nashville’s most popular interior photographers, Kristen Mayfield has worked with design superstars like Lori Paranjape, Jamie Beckwith, Natalie Hager, and Leslie Murphy. No doubt you have seen her work, but do you know the talented woman behind the lens?
Read on as Kristen takes us inside her studio, Kristen Mayfield Photography (Instagram:@kristen.mayfield), where we find her “capturing gorgeous design one image at a time”. From photoshoot styling to social media etiquette, she answers all the questions you’ve been dying to ask an interior design photographer.
Worth It? 3 Reasons Why Professional Photography Matters to Interior Designers.
Kristen Mayfield shares the benefits of working with a professional photographer.
1. Build your portfolio. Photography is “an investment in your brand,” says Mayfield, because it “displays all of your hard work.” Don’t let those efforts go unnoticed (many projects take years)––invest in high-quality images that convey your talent.
2. Attract the right client. Effective interior photography should “showcase your best projects and your aesthetic.” As you build your business and refine your personal brand, these images will help “market to the clientele you really want.”
3. Maximize your marketing. “ Photography is your main marketing expense, as social media is free,” Kristen explains. Investing in imagery is one of the most powerful ways to attract new clients. She adds, “Many of my designers say that at least 85% of their clients come from social media marketing.”
Natural sunlight floods this living space, showcasing Gabby’s velvet upholstered Westley Sofas.
The Fine Print: Kristen Wants Designers to Know this One Thing.
Kristen Mayfield urges designers to read the fine print. Before hiring a photographer, it’s important to understand their contract, especially when it comes to image copyrights and usage rights (including image use on social media platforms). If you have any questions or concerns, discuss them with your photographer before the photoshoot.
Kristen takes a generous approach to social media sharing: “I let all my designers use my images for anything they need for social media, websites and magazine submission as long as they give me photo credit.” She has found that this policy builds goodwill, leading to stronger client relationships and project referrals.
Matte black cabinets juxtapose Gabby’s lucite and gold King Counter Stools. Design by Lori Paranjape.
Picture Perfect: Preparing for an Interior Design Photoshoot
Get the most from shoot day with these three tips from a photographer.
1. Review the space with your photographer. Before the photoshoot, Kristen takes a “phone tour” with each designer, getting a detailed description of the rooms they will be shooting. This helps her estimate a timeline and plan for any props and styling needs.
2. Prepare the props. “You can never have too many props,” Kristen says. The more options there are, the more prepared you will feel on shoot day. If possible, designers should style the interior the day before so that the photographer can maximize her time.
3. Communicate with the photographer. Photographers may not know the most important elements of your design, so prepare a list of focus areas and image styles that you would like. Kristen likes her clients to stay on-set so they can review each shot and make sure the space is styled to perfection.
Words of Praise. “Kristen brings a calming vibe that lifts some of the stress from a shoot. My projects can take years to complete, but we typically only have a day or two to shoot…I really want to make sure we are getting the shots I want, and Kristen takes her time making sure that happens.” ~ Lori Paranjape (@mrsparanjape)
This fresh white dining space feature g old the Gabby Penelope Dining Chairs.
The Right Stuff: Exploring Interior Props, Staging & Lighting.
- Flowers & Greenery: Kristen often sources the flowers and greenery for her photoshoots, bringing along her vase collection to display the fresh blooms. In the spring, she pulls out her clippers to gather free foliage––“I can’t tell you how many times I have pulled over on the side of the road to cut greenery or flowering trees for the photoshoot.”
- Styling & Props: When it comes to interior styling, Kristen brings a plethora of coffee table books, beads, accessories, cutting boards, blankets and pillows to each shoot. She likes to use products from local vendors who will cross-promote on social media, since these “symbiotic relationships” often lead to new clientele.
- Cleaning Toolkit: Kristen never leaves home without lamp cords, wrinkle release, a steamer, Windex cleaning solution, a Swiffer duster and white hand towels for bathrooms.
- Lighting & Equipment: Natural sunlight is Kristen’s secret to success––she never uses artificial lighting during a photoshoot. (“They always add a yellow tint.”) Another imperative tool: she shoots tethered to a computer in order to easily review each test shot and make necessary adjustments.
Words of Praise. “Not only is Kristen easy to work with and brings a feeling of comfort and frankly friendship to the process, but she also captures a large number of high-quality images…In the day and age of social media, there has to be a balance of quality and quantity and Kristen strikes it perfectly.” ~ Leslie Murphy (@murphymaudeinteriors)
Bright food and beverages add life to interior photos. Featured: Gabby King Barstools
What to Expect: Editing and Post Production
Even after a strenuous photoshoot has wrapped, a photographer’s job is never done. The next step is editing and post production––optimizing each image for public consumption. Kristen explains, “The way the camera sees things is totally different than what our eyes actually see.” She spends countless hours adjusting the exposure, shadows, and saturation, sometimes combining image files to piece together the perfect shot.
Kristen’s editing process can take up to three days (each shot can take several hours). This painstaking process often goes unoticed, but is incredibly important to the quality of the images. Designers should expect minor delays, and schedule their photoshoot with a realistic timeline in mind. After all, you can’t rush perfection!
A Happy Marriage: Interior Photography & Social Media
Social media is an “incredible tool” that Kristen Mayfield uses to inspire her followers, connect with clients, and drive new business. How does she make the most of social marketing? By posting consciously and thoughtfully, and always getting designer approval before posting: “ I treat my designers with respect and gratitude. There is nothing better than a personal recommendation from a satisfied client.”
Learn social media tips and strategies from interior designer & bonafide social influencer Marie Flanigan of Marie Flanigan Interiors.
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