How to be an interior stylist

Learn the secrets of the profession and put them into practice with a practical day in a professional studio

Interior stylists are behind practically every still life image you see in editorial, advertising or online. It's a job that requires much more than an eye for style - interior stylists also need to be experts in trend forecasting, finding locations, sourcing props and booking contractors.

Through a combination of talks and practical exercises, the Guardian's Melinda Ashton Turner, a Stylist of the Decade nominee, provides a no-nonsense overview of the industry and the many varied duties of the interior stylist. As well as the creative side of the job, she'll share practical insights on how to get a job, what qualifications clients look for and how to source products. Working in a professional studio environment at Holborn Studios, you'll learn how to steer a shoot from concept to finished article, and work with a professional photographer to design and arrange your own project. You will end the day with a set of a complete digital images – an invaluable resource for your portfolio or website.

Course content

• Definition of an interior stylist
• How to get into the industry
• What qualifications are required
• Mediums and publishing avenues for interior stylists' work
• How to take a project from concept to published work
• Who commissions stylists? And in turn who we commission
• The differences between working as a freelancer and being on-staff
• Business tools
• How to promote yourself
• Understanding the studio environment
• The role of the photographer and their equipment
• How to create vignette interior sets to be photographed

Tutor profile

Melinda Ashton Turner originally trained as an Interior Designer and has been working as an Interior stylist for the publishing industry for two decades. Over the course of her career she worked both as a freelance and on-staff, in the UK and Australia. Her work covers both editorial and advertising along with consultancy, designing, lecturing and events. She has previously held workshops on colour and styling for students, along with being a guest tutor at KIAD. Click here for Melinda's website.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website