As John mentioned this morning, Do It Yourself Magazine’s 48-hour whirlwind photoshoot of our home was eye-opening and, of course, incredibly exciting. They say the best way to learn is to dive in, so we jumped right into the process—holding equipment, listening to styling lingo, and absorbing every detail. We took plenty of mental notes that will be useful when we refresh rooms in our own home (and when you virtually redecorate yours). Below are a few snapshots I grabbed over the photographer’s shoulder and some behind-the-scenes observations from our two-day DIY photoshoot.
Fact #1: Almost every national magazine tweaks your house before shooting. Some publications send a prop stylist days in advance; in our case the team made last-minute additions and adjustments. Fresh flowers, small trays, table runners, and even rugs can be brought in to add color and texture on camera.
For example, in our den they rearranged a few pieces and added fresh flowers and a green ceramic tray on an ottoman for a pop of color. That tray was a prop purchase and didn’t stay with us, but now we know exactly where to find it if we want one permanently.
Fact #2: Magazines sell a lifestyle, not just style. Stylists stage scenes to feel lived-in: a pitcher by the pool, a half-read book by the bed. For our sunroom they added a bowl of red grapes, two opened bottles of pink lemonade, and purple hydrangeas to create an effortless, casual vibe.
Fact #3: There’s no such thing as too many flowers. Blooms showed up everywhere—from floating vases to a blue pitcher—because flowers instantly warm a scene. The stylist even had flowers shipped on ice for the shoot. We overheard a fun bit of jargon: if a bloom points directly at the camera someone might shout, “Hey, that flower’s lookin’ at me!” and someone else will nudge it slightly so it reads more natural. They also anthropomorphized objects (“she wants to go here” or “he’s too dominant there”), which was entertaining and helpful to hear as they worked.
Fact #4: Food is as important as flowers. Stylists stocked the house with loaves of bread, cupcakes, and playful treats—gummy bears in a jar, mini cookies, and more. They make food look appealing and photographic; meanwhile the team’s appetites often meant some items disappeared before they could be shot.
Fact #5: Props are seasonal. Because our living and dining room shots were meant to feel like spring, the stylists transformed our neutral space into something bright and cheerful. Small changes—flower arrangements, accent pieces, and a different rug—shifted the room’s mood dramatically.
We loved the before-and-after. A few details stood out:
– Items on our floating shelves were arranged so the main shots looked clean; from the side you can see empty spots where pieces were removed so they wouldn’t compete with the pendant light or table centerpiece.
– The biggest change was the rug swap: our darker rug was replaced with a lighter yellow Moorish Tile rug from Pottery Barn, which brightened the space. We later moved our brown rug to the guest room where it’s cozier in winter.
– The slipper chair was angled for the shot, even though in real life that positioning partially blocks the hall to the bedrooms.
Fact #6: Balance on camera is often an illusion. Shots are carefully composed, and the camera’s angle can make an arrangement read as perfectly centered even when it isn’t. After key “hero” shots were taken, the room looked disheveled—but that’s part of the process to achieve ideal images.
Fact #7: Borrowing and moving items is common. When the photographer wanted a rug in the kitchen, someone borrowed our 4×6 jute rug from the third bedroom. Although the bedroom was later photographed too, each space was styled differently so the borrowed item didn’t feel repeated. From that point on I started scanning magazines for recurring vases and pillows—now I’ll always be on the lookout.
Our kitchen looked especially appetizing on camera: artisanal cheeses, artfully arranged vegetables, and even tiny roses placed inside a glass-front cabinet. A favorite succulent was moved to the windowsill and wound up staying there because it suited the spot so well.
Those two days were full of creamy cupcakes, chunks of cheddar, pink pansies, and playful peonies—our house never looked so abundant. It was inspiring to watch the team work and to learn so many styling tricks.
Thank you to Beth, Cat, Erik, and Piper for their energy and creativity in making our house shine. We can’t wait to see the final images when they appear in Do It Yourself Magazine’s upcoming issues. Stay tuned for the published photos.