Emily A. Clark

design. simplified.

Details from the Better Homes & Gardens Shoot

    
    
First off, thank you all so much for the sweet words about my last post.  I received the kindest comments and emails from many of you, and I really do appreciate them all.  I just knew that you would share in my excitement.  After all, many of you have been reading this blog from close to the beginning and have seen what a ride this has been.  It really is amazing what opportunities this online world can bring your way.  (Thanks, Al Gore.  I guess I really owe this all to you.)

Okay, so on to the details of the day of the BH&G shoot.  My nerves were a little shot, mainly because I just didn’t know what to expect (and maybe because I drank three cups of coffee. . . ).  Either way, I was relieved to see them show up.  (I felt much like I used to, waiting for Santa to arrive.)

I was lucky enough to get some of the very best out there to photograph and style my home.  Not only is Rob Brinson a super-talented photographer, but he was one of the nicest, most down-to-earth guys I’ve met.  Katie and I may have asked him a thousand questions while we waited for the shoot to start.  He probably thinks we’re the most talkative Southern girls he’s ever met, but we like to know stuff :)
    

I was most interested in seeing the stylist do her thing.  And, I had the fabulous Annette Joseph to work her magic.  When we spoke on the phone the day before, she mentioned that some designers were a little uneasy about her making changes to their homes.  I, on the other hand, was anxious to see what changes she thought needed to be made.  You know how your own home just never feels completely “finished”?  If her work is good enough for BH&G, then it was going to be good enough for me!

Katie, Annette and me after the shoot
So, the sad news is that I nearly had to swear on my life not to take any pictures of any kind while they were there.  But, I’ll do my best to recap the day, and you’ll just have to take my word that the pictures (at least the sneak peeks I saw) turned out beautifully.
They came in and began styling the house right away.  I have to say, seeing them march in with loads of accessories made me a little giddy (see, it was like Christmas).  None of my pillows made the cut (this made me realize I need some new, bigger pillows).  They re-accessorized my mantel, and brought in bright pops of color in each space they photographed.  Overall, I thought it looked like my house, only brighter and happier.  Of course, they brought fresh flowers, including a gorgeous arrangement of pink roses.  (This also made me wonder why I don’t buy fresh flowers for our house more often. . . I’m still enjoying these in our kitchen.)
My main job was to stay out of the way; I was just trying to take it all in. . . It was amazing to me how long each of the rooms took to shoot (although they did the entire thing in one day).  Of course, I’m comparing it to how long it takes me to take pictures for my blog.  Their attention to detail is what makes them the professionals, I suppose.  My inattention to detail is what leaves me with a photograph of a plastic carrot under our sofa that I didn’t see until I started uploading it to my blog. . .
They spent most of the morning shooting the dining room. (They took down the chandelier.  Wish they could’ve left it down; I never really loved it.)  Next, they moved onto various angles of our family room and headed to the breakfast area next.  They finished up with the master bedroom and for the grand finale? The dreaded family portrait!  
Annette did give me one job, which I was happy to do.  They wanted the chairs in the breakfast area to be recovered in something more colorful than the dark leopard print.  (Suprisingly, their main concern was not trying to make Pop-Tart stains and Dorito fingers less conspicuous.)  I quickly ran to the fabric store and came back with this Waverly print:
Okay, so I know you’re really wanting to know how the kids did.  Well, like I mentioned in the last post, my husband kept them away (and in happy moods!) until it was time for their pictures.  He arrived right on time with a bag full of Smarties in hand (bribery works wonders. . . ).  We quickly got dressed in our “non-seasonal” clothing and headed downstairs.  At that point, Annette told us that we were actually going to gear the family shots toward summer.  Back upstairs, it was, to change everyone’s clothes, including mine.  Remember my gold top?  They liked what I already had on better.  (Don’t worry, I did get to wear it to another event later that week, so it’s all good.)
The fam hanging out until their big moment.  If all else fails, feed them!
My prayers must have been heard, because the kids did great!  All were unusually cooperative.  They did a shot in the breakfast room of me and the kids (you know, the way we usually sit down each morning, fully dressed, with a nice spread of food on the table and in really happy moods. . . ).  They had me repeatedly pour juice while the kids did their thing.  My two-year-old did end up under the table, but it actually worked out. . . They seemed to like her “creative direction” for the shoot.
They also did a family portrait outside.  Yes, the whole family, smiling, looking at the camera–the kind of picture that makes a momma sweat bullets.  I honestly don’t know what happened or how it turned out.  I just focused on smiling and looking straight ahead and let the experts deal with everyone else in the shot.  I do know that at one point, the very nice Brent Gipson had to run some circles around the camera to make my kids laugh.  All in a day’s work, I suppose.
And, remember what I said about bribery?  Well, my husband followed through and took them to Ben & Jerry’s for ice cream afterwards :)
So, my overall take of the whole process?  It was lots of fun, but much more intense that I expected.  I loved watching them work and was fascinated by the detail that went into each shot.  I was also surprised at how planned out everything was (they had a really detailed “script” for each area they shot).  Some of the areas they decided to use suprised me, as well, but they made them look great through the eyes of the camera.   
And for those of you who have asked, I don’t yet know what issue we’ll be in, but they seemed to think it might be Spring/Summer of next year.  You’ll be the first to know when I find out! 
And finally, I just wanted to say the biggest thanks to my friend/assistant, Katie!  She was a wonderful source of moral support during this whole thing, and I’m so thankful for her friendship and help on a daily basis as I work on growing my business.  I love working with her, and love laughing with her even more!   
This is us, after the shoot–happy, exhausted and hungry! :)
Thanks for reading such a lengthy post, and again, for all of your encouragement.  This is such a blessing, and I’m happy I could share it with you.


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Comments

  2. jamie @ kreyv says

    That is so awesome! Can’t wait to see the pictures! BTW, I just bought that same Waverly fabric just yesterday for some pillows! Glad to see it’s approved by Emily Clark herself AND BH&G!!

    Reply

  3. Dorothy says

    I love your blog and your honest accounts each time you write. Your experience with BH&G must have been a decorator’s dream, congratulations. I really do enjoy reading your postings. Can’t wait to see the issue next year.

    Reply

  5. Mary says

    How exciting! Did you learn any tips from the stylist? I’m surprised they took down your light fixture. Was it replaced with something else? The new fabric on your chairs is very pretty. Are you keeping it or going back to what you had?

    Reply

  7. [email protected] says

    So it took a major act of self control to read the whole post before commenting…I find this so fascinating! I wanted to comment on very sentence, ha! Does it make you want to leave everything they changed? Do they visit your house first to study what changes they wanted to make or do they make all the decisions on the spot?

    So excited for you, too fun!

    Reply

  8. Fran says

    Emilly, thanks for such a great run down. How exciting for you!!! So awesome!! Next year? I don’t think I can wait that long!!

    Reply

  9. Linda in AZ * says

    *** Gee, it’s nice to know “PEOPLE in HIGH PLACES”, Emily!!! (Insert big GRIN here!)…

    It all looks n’ sounds so F*U*N~~~ certainly an experience neither you nor anyone else in your family will soon forget (!)… and IMHO, all the work/prep (that of course YOU did!) was “WORTH it”, just to see the wee one’s “chocolate face” at the end~~~ a real smile-maker at5:00 A.M.!!!

    Sending you all the warmest wishes & most sincere CONGRATS!!!!

    Blessings,
    Linda in AZ *
    [email protected]

    Reply

  11. Rene says

    What an amazing re-cap Emily! I’m so excited for you and would’ve loved to just soak in all of the styling ins and outs. The bonus: ikat fabric for the chairs. Yum! Cannot wait to see the spread!

    Reply

  12. Faith's Place says

    The carrot under the couch comment made me laugh out loud! What a wonderful opportunity, and I am so glad you documented it all for us! I can’t wait to see it!!! Congrats on having it featured!

    Reply

  13. 1x1000 says

    Great post Emily! I can’t wait for the issue to come out! I will feel like I know you!!! You have beautiful children to go with your beautiful home soon for the whole world to see!! :)

    Reply

  17. Karen says

    I love the behind the scenes details and can’t wait to see the article and photos. The thing I wonder tho is…. if they loved your house so much, why do they change so many things?

    Reply

  18. Jenny says

    I love hearing about what it’s like having a magazine shoot and was soaking up every word! It sounds so fascinating, and I can’t wait to see the pictures in the magazine and get the full play by play from you.

    On a family photo note – I’m with you. Family photos stress me out to no end (which is why we haven’t had one in, oh, three years). I think we’re due for another one, and I dread it already!

    Reply

  22. Beth @ Free Stylin' says

    So so excited for you!! I truly love your beautiful home, and I get so much useful information from reading your blog. This couldn’t happen to a nicer, more deserving person, and I CAN’T wait to read all about it in BH&G!

    Reply

  23. Amanda says

    I am soooo excited for you! I could not wait to read about it-i made sure I had my warm cup and tea and settled down on the couch this morning to read all about it!! What an amazing experience for you!!!

    Reply

  24. Kelly says

    Well this is the MOST exciting thing! :) I’m fascinated by all the behind-the-scenes stuff, and dying to see your issue of BH&G! Are you allowed to show us some of the changes they made, and are you keeping any of them? Thanks for sharing what went on!

    Reply

  26. Jenny at LGN says

    HOORAY EMILY!!!! Congratulations!! What an exciting (and maybe a little exhausting?) experience!! I’ll be first in line for my issue next year!! Can’t wait!
    xoxoxoox
    jenny

    Reply

  32. Glidewell Family says

    So interesting and so excited for you. I enjoyed hearing everything they did to make your home what they wanted for a magazine shot. I thought they would just come in and take pictures had no idea that they stage it. :-)

    Reply

  33. Decor & Harmony @ 4290 says

    Emily, you have put such a smile and grin on my face :) It sounds like a wonderful experience you must be on such a high right now, I can’t wait to see the article. Nice choice of fabric on the chairs I love IKAT print thanks to my gal-pal Sarah Richardson. I can’t wait to read your post tomorrow this is so thrilling!!!

    Reply

  34. Decor & Harmony @ 4290 says

    Emily, you have put such a smile and grin on my face :) It sounds like a wonderful experience you must be on such a high right now, I can’t wait to see the article. Nice choice of fabric on the chairs I love IKAT print thanks to my gal-pal Sarah Richardson. I can’t wait to read your post tomorrow this is so thrilling!!!

    Reply

  35. Decor & Harmony @ 4290 says

    Emily, you have put such a smile and grin on my face :) It sounds like a wonderful experience you must be on such a high right now, I can’t wait to see the article. Nice choice of fabric on the chairs I love IKAT print thanks to my gal-pal Sarah Richardson. I can’t wait to read your post tomorrow this is so thrilling!!!

    Reply

  36. Decor & Harmony @ 4290 says

    Emily, you have put such a smile and grin on my face :) It sounds like a wonderful experience you must be on such a high right now, I can’t wait to see the article. Nice choice of fabric on the chairs I love IKAT print thanks to my gal-pal Sarah Richardson. I can’t wait to read your post tomorrow this is so thrilling!!!

    Reply

  37. Decor & Harmony @ 4290 says

    Emily, you have put such a smile and grin on my face :) It sounds like a wonderful experience you must be on such a high right now, I can’t wait to see the article. Nice choice of fabric on the chairs I love IKAT print thanks to my gal-pal Sarah Richardson. I can’t wait to read your post tomorrow this is so thrilling!!!

    Reply

  39. autumn says

    what a great descrption! i felt like i was there. i was SO suprised at some of the things they did… like removing your chandelier, replacing your pillows, and asking you to recover your chairs. i always thought they just came in and brought some flowers and shot a house just like it was!
    can’t wait to see the final pictures.

    Reply

  41. Stepheny says

    Emily…..you so deserve this! I am soooo happy for you! I follow your blog each and every day…I already told you I want to be you when I grow up! Seriously, congratulations….and I can’t wait to see your issue!

    Reply

  42. Stepheny says

    Emily I am so happy for you…you deserve this! I already told you that I want to be you when I grow up! This is so exciting and i can’t wait to see the emily clark issue of better homes and gardens! What a dream come true for you! Congratulations!

    Reply

  47. hollyG says

    So interesting to hear what actually goes into a shoot – and what they wanted to change. Thanks so much for sharing all of the details. I would’ve been asking a million questions myself. And Rob the photogrpher looks like a really cool guy! It looks like you and your family had fun.

    Reply

  52. Michaela says

    Reading this is so exciting! I’m so happy for you and the direction your business is going. What a dream come true. I hope one day I will be telling the same story on my blog (: You’re such an inspiration to me! (:

    Reply

  55. Carmel @ Our Fifth House says

    Thanks for sharing all the deets of such an exciting day! I would have been like you excited to see what they’d change! – Did they leave any “props” behind? Can’t wait to see what pillows they used because I’ve always loved your pillows! Glad your kids cooperated – they earned their ice cream!

    Reply

  59. Tote says

    I am really excited for you! Can’t wait to see the issue when it comes out. I can tell all my friends that you are one of my blog friends!
    So glad the kids did well.

    Susan

    Reply

  64. Barbara Jordan Dettweiler says

    I am so happy for you! Of course I don’t actually “know” you but I love your blog and I am thrilled for you this that it happened! I am excited to see the results. I am really enjoying hearing about the process too – what fun it would be to have someone come in an style my home…a fresh perspective is always a good idea! Many, many congratulations!!

    Reply

  65. Will @ Bright.Bazaar says

    How super duper wonderful! And, I LOVE that Annette styled your place up for the shoot – I’m going to stay with her in Italy this summer! Wish I could have been there to join in on the fun day! Perhaps I could have relaxed your nerves with my funny accent! ;)

    Congratulations again, Emily, can’t wait to see the issue!

    Reply

  66. 17 Perth says

    This is so exciting!! I can’t wait to see what they did…and Im sure you were loving it. What’s not to love?? I can’t imagine how exciting it would be for someone to come in and “finish” my rooms….much less photograph it for BH & G.

    Congrats again!

    Reply

  67. Pam says

    I was nervous, excited and giddy reading your play by play of the day! The thought of chosing the perfect fabric and new family outfits last minute would have put me over the edge! Can’t wait!!

    Reply

  69. Darla says

    You want to know the funniest thing? I saw what you were wearing in the earlier post and then what you bought and I thought … “oh, I love what she has on”. It looked great on you and stylish and relaxed … I’m glad they thought so too!

    And you’ll enjoy the gold one too! :)

    Can’t wait to see the pics!

    Reply

  71. bmkohn says

    Very exciting! I had a shoot for Cooking Light last week and it was SO stressful! Trying to dress like October when it is 105 degrees out nearly killed me!

    Reply

  73. Amy says

    Emily … I’m sorry I’m a little late in commenting … we’ve been without power … but I was so excited to read about your shoot! Congratulations! What an amazing experience. I cannot wait to see the pictures. As usual, I love your sense of humor through it all.
    Congrats again!

    Reply

  74. Rambling Renovators says

    I’m late with a comment but just wanted to thank you for the behind the scenes tour! I can imagine how intense it was, with so many rooms to shoot. It sounds like your family did awesome at the shoot too! That must have been a huge relief. Can’t wait to see the spread!

    Reply

  76. mwaxter says

    Great pictures, your kids are just adorable, the one of your daughter with the messy face reminds me of my Sophie who is 6 and loves to ham it up for the camera! How exciting to be doing a magazine shoot…I look forward to seeing the real deal when its published. Congratulations.

    Reply

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