Skills And Traits You Need As A Photo Stylist

Being a Photo Stylist is not just about being able to style and being creative.  In addition to being a Photo Stylist, I work as a Photo Styling Consultant to Brands Creative and Art Departments. As a Consultant, I teach one and two Day Workshops to Brands directly and to Photography Studios.  Part of the Workshop is setting up their Studios, teaching them how and where to source for props and surfaces and also "what to look for" when hiring a Photo and Prop Stylist beside their creative and styling talents.  So, I want to share it with you ~ so you have the inside scoop!

In conversations with Creative Departments and Photographers, you learn sometimes it’s not the absolute “best” technical Photo Stylist that gets (& keeps getting hired) for the job. Shoots in the Studio and on Location can be long days so while being a great technical stylist is important, so are these traits (and personality & fun!)

In my Workshops, here are the traits I recommend to look for in a Photo Stylist:

▪︎  Persistent in Pursuit / Tenacious
▪︎  Punctual / Dependable / Reliable
▪︎  Collaborator / Have Team Spirit
▪︎  Consistent Follow Through
▪︎  Confident, Yet Humble
▪︎  Handles Pressure Well
▪︎  Don’t Take It Personal
▪︎  Adaptable / Flexible
▪︎  Attentive Listener
▪︎  Detail Focused
▪︎  Problem Solver
▪︎  Observant
▪︎  Optimistic
▪︎  Organized
▪︎  Respectful
▪︎  Take Risks
▪︎  Proactive
▪︎  Prepared
▪︎  Flexible
▪︎  Patient 
▪︎  Resilent 
▪︎  Honest 

(The quality of "Honest". This reflects back to being honest when you can't find a prop, answer a question, have time to do something, etc.)

I know, it's alot!  Of course, we strive as Photo Stylists to have the traits on this list ~ we also have to have grace with ourselves. Give yourself some grace, building a photo styling business, finding your niche, building your Portfolio, setting up your website, getting your Styling Services Contract in order, working on your craft of styling techniques, getting and booking clients, (being mindful of the skills and traits of a Photo Stylist) takes time.  Take it a step at a time.

I hope you find this list of traits helpful!   If you would like to learn more about the business side of the photo styling industry, we have a FREE Business of Photo Styling Guides for you.

Bonnie ~


Image Credit ｜ Tatjana Zlatkovic via Stocksy