My first guest is the Brooklyn based Interior Photographer Emily Gilbert. While she was born and raised in northern New Jersey, Emily chose to get closer to the great city to perform her job. Through her camera and with a natural talent, she is showing us what a beautiful interior exactly is. After she accepted to do this interview, I thought about what I would like to know about her and her job and put all the questions below in order for her. You are about to discover what it takes to be a good interior photographer.
T&L: Did you always know that you wanted to become an interior photographer?
Emily: Not only did I not know I wanted to be an Interior Photographer, I didn't know I wanted to be
a Photographer. The path I took to get to where I am is a bit of a roundabout path, but I'm
happy I explored all the other areas I did before finding Interior Photography. I entered
college as a Fine Art major interested in collage & sculpture and ended up graduating with
a degree in Experimental Theater. Upon graduating I was introduced to the Film & TV
industry where I worked for a few years as a Set Dresser. After deciding that the Film industry
wasn't for me, I decided to give Photography a shot. I bought a 35mm film camera and enrolled
in an Intro to Photography class at ICP and took on 2 internships- one at a commercial still life
studio and the other with a Fine Art Photographer. After a few months at the internships, I was
offered a Studio Manager position at the still life studio and while it didn't involve taking
photos, I decided to accept it because a) I needed the income and b) I felt it would be an
opportunity to learn about the industry. After a few years, and a lot of thought about what type
of photography I wanted to pursue and by process of elimination, I decided to take the leap &
tell everyone I was an Interior Photographer. I'd shoot the home of anyone who would let me,
and soon I build a portfolio and went out on my own.
T&L: What inspires you?
Emily: Collaborating with others. Walking my dog. Doing yoga.
T&L: Do you find it hard to shoot in a space that you do not find appealing?
Emily: Yes. I consider myself a bit more of an editor than a photographer sometimes.
I take other peoples art & make it into my own- which is why it's harder to shoot spaces that are
not as appealing. Those days feel more like a job, than my art. I find I really need to step outside
myself in order to deliver the same quality images as when I shoot a space that I love. It is
definitely challenging and while I may not enjoy it as much, I do learn more about the craft of
capturing a space. I also end up learning more about myself since shooting an unappealing
space is not the easiest experience.
T&L: Since you proved that you are a great Photographer (yes you are!!), do you feel like you
still have to search for work?
Emily: (Thank you.) Yes, work isn't always lined up outside my door.
Some months are jam packed and the phone doesn't stop ringing, while other months I spend a
fair amount of time in the office working on the business side of things. However, I have been
pretty lucky & have not had to do a lot of advertising or direct marketing.
T&L: What do you love most about your job?
Emily: I love that every space proposes a new set of challenges. When I show up to a shoot, it's like
showing up to the first day of a new job... minus a lot of the anxiety. I have some clients who
are true artists & I love spending the day (or days) in their works of art. I love spending time
in new spaces with new people. I get bored with repetition so working with new people in new
environments keeps me motivated and inspired.
T&L: How would you describe your work on a day to day basis?
Emily: My day to day really varies. I'm either waking up early in the morning & spending all day on
location shooting, or getting to the office at 10am for a day of retouching, writing estimates,
updating my portfolio, marketing, organizing receipts, etc. And some days I get really excited
that I can choose to go to yoga or food shop in the middle of the day!
T&L: When you start a new job, what is the first thing you do (beside packing your
equipment?)
Emily: A new job actually starts way before the morning of a shoot. The first thing that happens is
having a conversation with the client & learning about their needs and what they are hoping
to get out of the shoot. I then write up an estimate based on our conversation. Once we
discuss the estimate and it is approved, we set a date for the shoot. Once we decide on a date
that works for everyone, I secure an assistant. The morning of the shoot I make sure to eat a big
breakfast & also make sure my socks don't have holes in them because I usually take my shoes
off when shooting in someone's home, and then I pack up the car with all of my equipment.
T&L: We all like different styles, what is yours?
Emily: My personal style is rustic meets modern, with an emphasis on comfort. I like the imperfections
of wood but I also love clean lines. I love old elements mixed with something fresh & new.
I wish I was a little more bold with incorporating color. I tend to stay in the greys and neutral
tone world- I'm trying to break out of that & add some color.
T&L: You are about to purchase your dream house, what do you want your future home to
have and not to have?
Emily: A working fireplace, wide plank wood floors, lots of windows with old window panes and
pocket shutters, exposed ceiling beams, lots of closets & a washer/dryer (I have 1 closet & no
washer/dryer now!) would be top on the list of needs. My dream home wouldn't have any
carpeting or any massive grey metal air conditioner units.
T&L: In life and in general would you say that you are a sensitive woman?
Emily: Yes. I used to be way too sensitive. Owning my own business has toughened me up a bit, but
I'm still quite sensitive.
T&L: On an early morning, you are standing alone atop a mountain hill covered with snow.
Looking around you, what do you see?
Emily: A massive flock of birds endlessly circling overhead. Tracks of unknown animals at my feet.
An old (but beautiful) vacant white barn in the distance.
Thank you Emily for answering all these questions and thanks to all for reading. Feel free to leave a comment.
Emily Gilbert photographed by Tory Williams
Emily: Not only did I not know I wanted to be an Interior Photographer, I didn't know I wanted to be
a Photographer. The path I took to get to where I am is a bit of a roundabout path, but I'm
happy I explored all the other areas I did before finding Interior Photography. I entered
college as a Fine Art major interested in collage & sculpture and ended up graduating with
a degree in Experimental Theater. Upon graduating I was introduced to the Film & TV
industry where I worked for a few years as a Set Dresser. After deciding that the Film industry
wasn't for me, I decided to give Photography a shot. I bought a 35mm film camera and enrolled
in an Intro to Photography class at ICP and took on 2 internships- one at a commercial still life
studio and the other with a Fine Art Photographer. After a few months at the internships, I was
offered a Studio Manager position at the still life studio and while it didn't involve taking
photos, I decided to accept it because a) I needed the income and b) I felt it would be an
opportunity to learn about the industry. After a few years, and a lot of thought about what type
of photography I wanted to pursue and by process of elimination, I decided to take the leap &
tell everyone I was an Interior Photographer. I'd shoot the home of anyone who would let me,
and soon I build a portfolio and went out on my own.
T&L: What inspires you?
Emily: Collaborating with others. Walking my dog. Doing yoga.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
Stylist Meagan Camp
T&L: Do you find it hard to shoot in a space that you do not find appealing?
Emily: Yes. I consider myself a bit more of an editor than a photographer sometimes.
I take other peoples art & make it into my own- which is why it's harder to shoot spaces that are
not as appealing. Those days feel more like a job, than my art. I find I really need to step outside
myself in order to deliver the same quality images as when I shoot a space that I love. It is
definitely challenging and while I may not enjoy it as much, I do learn more about the craft of
capturing a space. I also end up learning more about myself since shooting an unappealing
space is not the easiest experience.
T&L: Since you proved that you are a great Photographer (yes you are!!), do you feel like you
still have to search for work?
Emily: (Thank you.) Yes, work isn't always lined up outside my door.
Some months are jam packed and the phone doesn't stop ringing, while other months I spend a
fair amount of time in the office working on the business side of things. However, I have been
pretty lucky & have not had to do a lot of advertising or direct marketing.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
T&L: What do you love most about your job?
Emily: I love that every space proposes a new set of challenges. When I show up to a shoot, it's like
showing up to the first day of a new job... minus a lot of the anxiety. I have some clients who
are true artists & I love spending the day (or days) in their works of art. I love spending time
in new spaces with new people. I get bored with repetition so working with new people in new
environments keeps me motivated and inspired.
T&L: How would you describe your work on a day to day basis?
Emily: My day to day really varies. I'm either waking up early in the morning & spending all day on
location shooting, or getting to the office at 10am for a day of retouching, writing estimates,
updating my portfolio, marketing, organizing receipts, etc. And some days I get really excited
that I can choose to go to yoga or food shop in the middle of the day!
Photo by Emily Gilbert
Designer The Brooklyn Home Company
T&L: When you start a new job, what is the first thing you do (beside packing your
equipment?)
Emily: A new job actually starts way before the morning of a shoot. The first thing that happens is
having a conversation with the client & learning about their needs and what they are hoping
to get out of the shoot. I then write up an estimate based on our conversation. Once we
discuss the estimate and it is approved, we set a date for the shoot. Once we decide on a date
that works for everyone, I secure an assistant. The morning of the shoot I make sure to eat a big
breakfast & also make sure my socks don't have holes in them because I usually take my shoes
off when shooting in someone's home, and then I pack up the car with all of my equipment.
T&L: We all like different styles, what is yours?
Emily: My personal style is rustic meets modern, with an emphasis on comfort. I like the imperfections
of wood but I also love clean lines. I love old elements mixed with something fresh & new.
I wish I was a little more bold with incorporating color. I tend to stay in the greys and neutral
tone world- I'm trying to break out of that & add some color.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
T&L: You are about to purchase your dream house, what do you want your future home to
have and not to have?
Emily: A working fireplace, wide plank wood floors, lots of windows with old window panes and
pocket shutters, exposed ceiling beams, lots of closets & a washer/dryer (I have 1 closet & no
washer/dryer now!) would be top on the list of needs. My dream home wouldn't have any
carpeting or any massive grey metal air conditioner units.
T&L: In life and in general would you say that you are a sensitive woman?
Emily: Yes. I used to be way too sensitive. Owning my own business has toughened me up a bit, but
I'm still quite sensitive.
Photo by Emily Gilbert
T&L: On an early morning, you are standing alone atop a mountain hill covered with snow.
Looking around you, what do you see?
Emily: A massive flock of birds endlessly circling overhead. Tracks of unknown animals at my feet.
An old (but beautiful) vacant white barn in the distance.
Thank you Emily for answering all these questions and thanks to all for reading. Feel free to leave a comment.
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