So...Do I really need a stylist?
She Almost Said No.
When I suggested a stylist for her brand shoot, she hesitated.
“We don’t really need that,” she said. “I think we’ve got it covered.”
Fast forward to the day of the shoot - she’s standing on set, looking around, and says:
“Wow. I’m so impressed. I didn’t think we needed the extra support, but her eye for detail is incredible. She made everything look amazing.”
That’s the thing about a stylist - you don’t realise how powerful it is until you see it in action. And by then… you’ll never want to shoot without one again.
Do You Really Need a Stylist?
Maybe you’re thinking, “We’ve got our own stuff.” Or, “It’s just headshots - why would we need props?”
I get it.
But strong brand photography isn’t just about taking nice photos. It’s about creating images that:
Tell your brand story clearly
Feel consistent with your style and audience
Show details people don’t consciously notice, but instinctively trust
Create an emotional connection before someone reads a single word
That level of detail doesn’t just happen. It’s planned, styled and considered.
When It’s a Game-Changer
Not every shoot needs one. But if your business sells an experience or a feeling as much as it sells a product or service, styling can be a game-changer.
Think:
Retail & Lifestyle – home décor stores and boutiques
Hospitality & Experience – hotels, luxury B&Bs, restaurants, event venues, travel brands
Wellness & Beauty – spas, retreats, fitness studios, beauty clinics, cosmetic treatment providers
Creative & Service-Based – interior designers, florists, wedding planners, personal stylists
Premium Products – skincare brands, jewellery, high-end food & drink, lifestyle tech
If your audience is buying into an aesthetic, a standard, or a certain way of living, then the way your brand looks has to deliver that instantly. That’s where a stylist steps in.
The Reality You Don’t See
Planning a shoot is already a lot — outfits, hair, makeup, schedules, shot lists. Adding “source perfect, on-brand props” to your to-do list? It’s a headache you don’t need.
A stylist brings exactly what will elevate your images. They style each scene so it translates perfectly on camera, remove anything distracting (yes, even that bin you’ve stopped noticing), and make sure every detail says what you want your brand to say.
Because what looks fine in real life doesn’t always look fine in a photograph. And in brand photography, those small details are what turn good into scroll-stopping.
Bottom line: I’m not suggesting a stylist because it’s “extra.” I’m suggesting it because I’ve seen the difference — the leap from decent images to magnetic ones.
If I think your shoot would benefit, I’ll tell you. And you might just end up saying what my client did:
Wow. I didn’t think we needed that, but I’m so glad we did.
The gallery below is from a recent shoot for Sapphire Aesthetics - styled by the incredible Studio Burford. Every detail was considered and inline with the company’s brand and standard of offering.
