Are you passionate for interior design, perhaps you're an aspiring stylist?

Well we had a chat with the incredible interior stylist Kerrie-Ann who has styled for Real Living, Homes+, Australian Women’s Weekly, House & Garden and Prevention magazines.

She gives us advice on how to get your foot in the door, tips on how to create an uplifting spaces & tells us all about why she loves being a stylist !

Photographed by Maree Homer for Real Living

Your career in the styling world gained incredible momentum very quickly, how did your career as a stylist begin and what advice do you have for aspiring stylists?

I started out assisting Sarah Ellison the Senior Stylist at Real Living magazine on her shoots. Every shoot I learnt something new & tried to absorb as much knowledge & experience as I could. Sarah is a total pro & a very creative stylist, so I knew I was very lucky to be her assistant & made the most of the opportunity. From there the same editorial team were starting a new magazine called Homes+. I did a test house shoot for the sampler magazine & they liked my work. Since then it’s snowballed to styling for other magazines, product campaigns and advertising.

I guess my advice to anyone who wants to be a photographic stylist, is to assist on shoots. It’s more than likely unpaid, long hours, unglamorously unpacking & packing boxes of products, but its loads of fun and you will learn alot about the job of a photographic stylist.

What do you love most about being a stylist?

So much, I feel so fortunate to do a job that I absolutely love. I enjoy creating the concept for the shoot and designing the set, then on the shoot day bringing that creative vision to life with all the styling elements I’ve called in from the amazing suppliers. The collaboration with the photographer is also a big part of the job I enjoy. It’s nice to work with someone who genuinely loves what they do too and you’re both aiming for a beautiful result.

Photographed by Maree Homer for Real Living

Do you think styling is learnt, instinctual or a combination of both?

Both! You have to learn the logistics through experience but creativity, that’s instinctual.

Do you believe in styling rules or does breaking them sometimes make the shot?

The rules are always broken when styling for photography!

Photographed by Nick Scott for Real Living

What are your top 3 styling tips for creating an uplifting space?

• Artwork! You don’t need to spend big on artwork to create a beautiful space. You can use an affordable prints, or a DIY artwork. I always find art really helps brings a space to life.
• Fresh flowers or greenery are always an inviting touch to a room. I like using natives or going to the flower markets to find less generic flowers. I have been known to forage too! (in public legal places of course!!) I do get a kick out of using locally foraged flora or fauna in the home.
• Preferably natural light, but if you don’t have many windows, using nice pendant lights, floor or table lamps to will make the space feel lighter & brighter. Nobody like a dark & cold space.

Photographed by Maree Homer for Real Living

What has been the most exciting project/shoot you have worked on so far?

That’s so hard to say, I love so many shoots I’ve styled. I am currently collaborating with photographer Maree Homer, where we shoot beautiful Australian homes for magazine features. I’ve been styling the homes & writing the story, which I really enjoy. All the homes that we’ve shot so far have appeared in Real Living magazine and we have just signed on with an international agent for overseas publication. Whenever I see one of these house stories published I get a huge thrill. It’s so nice to see our hard work in print.

Photographed by Alicia Taylor for Real Living

THIS OR THAT

Cooking or Take Out

Singing in the Car or Singing in the Shower

Reading or Netflix

Art Gallery or Music Festival Tough one! In my pre-baby life, I’d say music festivals. Now it would be art gallery so I can bring my daughter along too.

Get inspired & be sure to check out Kerrie-Ann on Instagram @kerrieann_jones_stylist & if you would like to get in contact with her visit her site here !

Love the ACC team

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