We recently connected with Elissa Benzie and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Elissa, thanks for joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

My first client was Copper Sky, a renovation company in Atlanta, whose marketing director Betsy is a friend of mine. During the pandemic, I would post photos of my styled home for fun. It was something I was alway interested in but didn’t know what to call it. I had worked in journalism for 10 years at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Cox Media Group as a photojournalist, photo editor and video editor but during this time, I was a SAHM to my three children.
She contacted me and asked me if I would like to style for them for some photoshoots. I was intrigued and after the first day I was in love. And the rest is history.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As I mentioned before, I am a former journalist (photojournalist, photo editor and video editor) who got her start in interior styling by chance. After Copper Sky Renovations gave me my first paying job, photographers I met through them would refer me to other designers and it was a ripple effect. I essentially faked it till I made it. Isn’t that what we are all doing?

Being an interior stylist in a nutshell:

I bring accessories, florals and food to photoshoots and place them in frame in order to create a vibe that encapsulates the ethos of the designer or architect. It’s all about creating a feeling by using props. After receiving images from the client or doing a walk through of the space, I ask the client the objective of the photo shoot and what types of publications they gravitate toward. This helps me to know how to style the space to achieve our goals, whatever they may be.
I shop for home accessories prior to the shoot day and bring things from my own inventory that I have collected over time. I select florals for each room based again on the story we are trying to tell. Same with the food.

I had an opportunity to work with extremely respected and well-known designer Matthew Quinn for his third book and in my first year of styling was published not only in his book as the predominant stylist but also in other various publications both local and national.

As a true Swiftie, I do believe that “I’ve never been a natural. All I do is try, try, try”. I work hard and show up ready to learn with a good attitude and I think this comes through with clients. I am teachable and love to collaborate with others. I think art is made better that way.

My goal is to bring your project to life and make it exactly what you want.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

This is something that I am still building and in some respects will continue to build for the entirety of my career. It’s very simple. Show up, tell the truth and smile. I can’t take credit for this saying. The principal at my children’s’ elementary school gets the credit for this but I have adopted it as a little mantra for myself. Living your authentic life in business matters and people will remember that you are honest and kind.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

My best resource for new clients are photographers. I think they see the value in having a stylist take that portion of the job off their shoulders. I also think my background in photography helps because I can speak in shorthand. From there, I then create a relationship with the designer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elissabenziestyle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elissabenziestyle/

Image Credits

Tyson Horne – head shot
Rustic White Interiors – all other images