Interior Designer Brand Shoot: London Shoot for Surrey-based Emma Merry Styling

Client: Emma Merry Styling, an interior design studio based in Surrey. Focusing on clean and simple design with a nostalgic feel.

Website: emmamerrystyling.com

The shoot: Signature Session

 

The Brief

Emma, a London and Surrey-based interior designer, wanted to elevate her brand imagery to reflect the heart of her business. While she had a beautiful portfolio of completed projects, she felt her ‘designer-in-action’ imagery didn’t truly showcase the value she brings to her clients. Her existing ‘day-in-the-life’ photos didn’t feel authentic and failed to convey the full value of her work.

Emma recognised that in today’s visual world, her audience needed to see not just the results but also the effort and personalised thought that go into creating them. She wanted her brand imagery to reflect her ethos of careful curation and her personality—approachable, fun, and deeply invested in her work. Emma wanted a collection of authentic images that highlighted the care and detail she invests in sourcing and designing for her clients to enable them to build trust in her.

The images would also need to accompany tips and insights into the design process on social media and her website, helping her audience see and connect with the work behind the finished interiors. The images needed to feel genuine, align with her target audience, and capture her as both a professional and a relatable individual.

Interior Designer Brand Shoot: Bringing the vision to life

We planned Emma’s interior designer brand shoot in Central London, selecting locations that would highlight both the professional and personal aspects of her work. The day began in a series of luxury bathroom showrooms, where I captured Emma in action — researching and sourcing pieces for her clients, evaluating materials, discussing designs, demonstrating relationships with key suppliers and showcasing her eye for detail.

To complement the showrooms, we stepped outside to capture lifestyle shots in nearby busy London streets and green spaces, taking advantage of architecture, colours and textures. The combination of city backdrops and natural environments added depth and variety to the collection, reflecting Emma’s personality, her knowledge of the industry’s key geographical areas and brands, and the balance she brings to her work.

Emma and I spent time working closely together on the vision for each story that we were telling. Every image was created with purpose, whether it showed her thoughtfully considering design options, walking confidently through the London streets, or enjoying a relaxed moment in a green space. This thoughtful approach ensured that the final images felt cohesive and aligned with her brand values. Most importantly, it meant that the images were immediately fit for purpose and Emma would have a bank of images that she could start using straight away which would support the messages she needs to share.

Testimonial

“Emma was wonderful—so much fun and a truly compassionate photographer. She was flexible and adapted to the ever-changing weather and surroundings! I loved how she kept adjusting locations based on how I was feeling throughout the day, which made me so comfortable. That comfort translated into great shots.”

“You are the only person who has made me feel comfortable in my own skin when being photographed. Thank you so much!”

 

Practicalities on the Day

A Central London shoot always comes with its challenges, from unpredictable weather to bustling streets. Flexibility was key to ensuring a successful day. We embraced the city’s energy, weaving between showroom visits, quiet street corners, and open green spaces to find the perfect locations.

Emma appreciated this adaptive approach. As the day unfolded, we made adjustments to match her energy and comfort level and the natural flow of the shoot. This meant she could relax and be herself, which was essential to capturing authentic moments and natural expressions.

By incorporating a mix of structured and candid shots, we created a collection that feels diverse and engaging. Whether Emma was deeply focused on selecting design elements or enjoying a lighthearted moment outdoors, every image tells a part of her story.

 

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My Favourite Shots | Emma Merry, Interior Designer Brand Shoot

1. Candid portrait ‘in action’

Ok I know this is actually two shots so that’s technically cheating, but I love them both and they work so well together! So many reasons why I love these environmental candid portraits.

• • Natural and authentic laughter: The images capture a moment of genuine joy – I can’t remember what we were talking about but the giggle is real! Emma’s natural laugh feels infectious and reflects her personality. It’s these small, unposed moments that make portraits feel alive and relatable.
  • Relaxed and open body language: Emma’s posture is effortless and welcoming. It conveys a sense of confidence and ease, making the viewer feel like they’re catching a glimpse of her in her element rather than a staged pose.
  • Doing what she loves: The way Emma’s holding her work materials feels authentic, reflecting her passion for what she does. This adds a layer of storytelling to the image, showing her immersed in something meaningful.
  • A warm, comfortable setting: The soft tones of the space enhance the relaxed and approachable vibe of the images, while the framed art in the background adds personality without distraction.

 

 

2. Walking shots outside

These outdoors shots of Emma really speak to me! Let me try to explain why.

• • Movement and energy: The shots with Emma walking create a sense of movement and energy. This contrasts nicely with the other more static poses, adding visual interest and variety. Capturing someone in motion often feels more natural and less posed, which can make the images more relatable and more genuine.
  • Relaxed atmosphere outside: Being outdoors can often contribute to a more relaxed and carefree feeling in photos. The open space and natural light create a calming ambiance. Emma’s casual poses appear effortless and natural, which further enhances the relaxed vibe and her personality.
  • Colour palette: The combination of complementary colours in these shots is aesthetically pleasing. The warm tones of Emma’s outfits complement the tones of the brickwork in the background, creating a feeling of cohesiveness. The subtle colours aren’t overly saturated or contrasting, which keeps the overall mood calm and inviting. None of this was by accident; we talked through Emma’s branding colours and her own natural style to ensure she felt authentic.
  • Overall impression: These photos capture Emma’s personality and brand values, creating a sense of approachability, warmth, and authenticity. The combination of movement, colour, and composition makes these images visually engaging and memorable.

 

By combining all of these elements, we’ve captured a series of photos that are aesthetically pleasing and which also resonate emotionally. They effectively capture and communicate Emma’s brand and leave a lasting impression.

 

3. Black and white candid portrait

Emma looking closely at a group of pendant lights while sourcing for a client.

• • Composition and leading lines: The lines of the window frame draws the viewer’s eye into the image, creating a sense of depth, leading towards the subject. This is echoed in the repetition of the lines from the hanging lampshades that surround Emma. Shen is framed within the panels of the window frame, with the lines also adding visual interest and balance.
  • Use of light: The simplicity of the black and white edit keeps the image clean and understated, ensuring the focus is on Emma.
  • Expressive body language: Emma’s relaxed posture and genuine smile convey a sense of happiness and contentment. She looks calm and confident in her zone of genius.
  • Storytelling: The image has a strong storytelling element to it, showing Emma at work, helping a prospective client to imagine how it could feel to work with her. The showroom that she’s in creates a feeling of luxury, selling the lifestyle that clients may aspire to in working with Emma.

 

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The impact on Emma’s interior design brand

The impact of the new imagery was almost immediate. Emma has received fantastic feedback on Instagram, where her audience has responded positively to the authentic and relatable tone of the photos. These images have helped bridge the gap between her completed project photography and her behind-the-scenes content, creating a more cohesive and approachable brand presence. The images feel real – capturing the fun, approachable side of her business while reflecting the ethos of thoughtful sourcing and design.

Emma told me that the photos have aligned her brand with her target audience, allowing potential clients to see themselves represented in her work. By showing the care, thought, and personality that go into her design process, these images have brought her closer to her ideal clients and strengthened her connection with her existing audience.

While it’s still early days, Emma is confident that this refreshed imagery will play a pivotal role in her 2025 campaigns. They have already become a central part of her social media and website content strategy, allowing her to tell her story in a more compelling way. What more could we ask for?!

In Emma’s words: “Our vision was to highlight the time and effort we put into sourcing and researching the products we specify for clients, and this message has come through in the images beautifully. They feel completely aligned with who we are.”

Ready to elevate your own brand with stunning, professional images which feel like you? Whether you’re a wellness expert or a small business owner, a tailored branding shoot can help you attract your ideal clients and showcase what makes you unique. Get in touch today to chat about how we can create images that tell your story.