Photography and the styling of objects is huge — I thought the trend could slow as more magazines fold but I’m seeing a definite upwards curve with more independent creative types looking to photograph and/or style — either as possible hobbies to fill a void or as potential income-maker. Regardless of your intentions, no doubt you’ve been perusing websites and blogs seeing all the gorgeous interiors and food imagery and have thought, “If only I had a good camera, I’d love to take pictures like that!”. Well, have you? If so, but you’re broke and unable to buy your dream camera at the moment: take heart. I was looking at stylist Deb Mclean’s blog, Busy Being Fabulous, this morning when I suddenly realized that the gorgeous photographs she shares, the ones she personally shot herself, well… my dears… I will show you some first and then I’ll tell you what I realized. It may just make you rethink waiting for the day when you have your dream camera….

In the photos above she has used her, ready for this… the camera on her iPhone! Yup. If you’re at home styling shots, or out and about enjoying something special there is no reason why you cannot quickly style up a vignette and take a photo of it with a good quality phone and upload it to share on your blog. Don’t let the lack of having a “real” camera in hand hold you back. No need to wait on that expensive camera, you can start small and work your way up and still have a gorgeous portfolio of photographs to enjoy along the way.

In addition to Deb’s blog, you can view her professional styling portfolio online showing some of her most recent work from the pages of top magazines. These photos below were NOT taken with an iPhone but by a professional photographer and of course, there is no comparison – a pro won’t show up on a shoot with only an iPhone in hand (ha! can you imagine that scenario!?) and a phone camera lacks sufficient quality to turn out photos suitable for print publications or a billboard. So we need the expensive cameras, the “big guns”, too. But I’m just sayin’. If you can do THAT above with an iPhone then the only thing holding any of us back is the excuse that one needs a better camera to take a better photo, right?

There’s no harm in learning with whatever equipment you currently have, so again — don’t let excuses hold you back. Any photographer will admit that while a pro camera is vital to shoot professionally that in the end the most important thing is not the camera but the eye of the photographer and whatever they are seeing through that viewfinder that gives the photo it’s uniqueness and style. So in the end, it really comes down to Y-O-U. :)

(images: deb mclean)

Tags: stylist

59 Responses to “Deb Mclean is Busy Being Fabulous”

1 Lis commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:46 am

There’s a saying in the photography world that the best camera in the world is the one you brought with you.

If you have plentiful lighting, the camera is very much secondary… you can get very good images with most cameras in a bright environment. It’s more important to learn about composition and post-processing. (Does the iphone have some kind of built in faux tilt-shift or did she do that in post in photoshop? Looks like it could go either way, but I don’t have an iphone)
Lis´s last blog ..Dollhouse – Newport
2 carrie @ bloomacious commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:08 am

that’s soooo inspiring! I’ve seen a few food bloggers who actually shoot gorgeous shots with tiny point and shoot cameras as well. So I guess I’ll put off buying a new lens for a while and work on lighting and styling. :-)
carrie @ bloomacious´s last blog ..Frida Kahlo’s Dead Man’s Bread
3 Etincelle commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 am

How true is that! I am personally holding myself…. but you are reminding me something really important… and should I add that it applies to many more things than just photography?
Thanks!
Etincelle´s last blog ..Babushka Comfort Doll – Zaza
4 anisa commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 am

Is she using some sort of tilt shift app? Or are they touched up in photoshop?

I love the styling!
5 My @ tha Hotness commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 am

Wow these are beautiful. The Iphone is amazing. Ive seen entire music videos shot with the iphone.
6 thedoodlegirl commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:29 am

Wow, wow and more wow. I am so very happy to know this! Those photographs are so artsy and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
thedoodlegirl´s last blog ..Illustration Friday: Skinny
7 Roberta commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:37 am

These photos are beautiful. Styling is so much harder than it looks. I’m in the process of trying to get some nice styling shots at my store and although the displays in my store are great, I find that when I try to photograph them, it tends to look like a pile of random stuff and not very pretty. I’ve decided I’m going to hire a professional. Wish Deb McLean lived near me!
8 Kitchen of the Princess commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:38 am

Lovely images … pure inspiration … gorgeous post, Holly!
The “honey-cheese” shot – I love it.

Viele Grüße

Annemarie
9 Izzy commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:48 am

I too am wondering if she blurred the photos to get a false depth of field… At any rate, nicely done!
10 Ele commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:57 am

That’s amazing, especially considering that the iphone is notorious for taking pretty bad photos (compared to other more expensive “camera phones”, of course).

As one of those food bloggers with only a tiny point-and-shoot, I know well the desire to make excuses and blame the camera! In the summer when I have lots of light, it’s fine- but these days I’m finding it hard to get the shots I want. You’ve inspired me to quit complaining and change my attitude, Holly!
Ele´s last blog ..Wet Veg
11 caro commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:59 am

These photos are so beautiful. And now I know that I have to work hard on lightning and styling … Until now I thought I just need a new camera… but damn, I’m just a bad photographer ;)
caro´s last blog ..Foxes are the new owls – Part II
12 Miss B commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:00 am

LOVED this post! In my photo class we are currently using Deb’s concept as a 6 week assignment inspiration, that was my whole argument against excuses, she’s taking these with an Iphone! Very inspiring:)
13 summer commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:19 am

iPhones are still expensive…

ever seen iphoneasart.com?
14 diana strinati baur commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:21 am

Yep, you’re right. Don’t let the lack of serious equipment stop you. I am a BIG believer in using what you got on hand to get the effect you want.

I had a professional team here in the spring, and watching them shoot I learned to much that I can apply to my photography. I had no idea what kind of light could be reflected off of a white pool towel :). We lit really dark spaces with the towels and the photos were amazing. I have a good digital SLR but I use my Cybershot for so much more simply because it fits in my pocket.

Love the photos! They are inspirational.
diana strinati baur´s last blog ..Season Close: Degustazione di Barolo
15 Beth commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 11:34 am

Thank you for this very good reminder! I had borrowed a friend’s digital Nikon, and since I’ve returned it, I’ve been bemoaning the fact that I am now shooting with my little point-and-shoot once again. And yet, you are right — I have a good eye, and I can take some interesting pictures regardless. I am going to concentrate on that thought!
Beth´s last blog ..Photo pairs
16 Natalie commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Deb is a talented lady – her styling for the Aura bed linen range is simply wonderful!
17 emily commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:11 pm

I own an iPhone and have been frustrated with the camera. Here’s why (www.applelinks.com):
Like most cameraphones, the iPhone’s camera lens is poor, offering fixed-focus and no optical zoom, a sluggish shutter, and no image stablization, making blurry images common. There’s no built-in flash, either, and the iPhone’s camera software is minimalist, offering only a single “take photo” button and no way to adjust settings of any kind.

Thus I’m extremely impressed with Deb McLean’s photos!
emily´s last blog ..want
18 decor8 commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:38 pm

Diana – That’s funny, a pool towel? I know that white foam core board is amazing too. Have you tried it? Good to keep a piece handy….
19 Lecia commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 12:40 pm

I use iphone photos occasionally on my blog, if the phone is all I have available when I want to photograph something. (I own a couple of SLR’s – one professional – and believe the best camera is the one you have with you…be it phone or whatever.)
Lecia´s last blog ..November
20 Alissa commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:03 pm

Gorgeous images – the fig + honeycomb + pear + brie – I want that for my afternoon treat!
Alissa´s last blog ..Home Shopping Network
21 Mrs. M commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm

I can’t believe those were taken with a camera phone! totally inspiring. now I don’t feel so bad for making do with my little Fuji J10 :)
Mrs. M´s last blog ..oh deer
22 Rocio @ Casa Haus commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:24 pm

Wow! What a lesson-giver, remids me of quitting excuses and begin striving for our dreams. Love her pics; truly amazing.
23 blue bicicletta commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:25 pm

It’s always frustrated me how so many people think that good photography depends on expensive, hi-tech equipment, when really, it depends on your eye and composition! These photos are amazing—I love the old feeling of them.
blue bicicletta´s last blog ..Natural November
24 Jen commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm

HOW INTERESTING!? I’m so glad you shared that tid-bit EXCEPT that now I have absolutely NO EXCUSE for why my pictures alway look wretched. I always thought…”if only I had a nice camera I could take such great shots.” turns out this lady is taking shots on her iphone that i couldn’t do with the fanciest of cameras. I feel a little under equipped….and unfortunately not because of my equipment.

Happy Blogging & thanks again from sharing-
Jen
Jen´s last blog ..that’s amore monday <3
25 Make, Do & Send commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:29 pm

I have been trying to take better shots with my point and shoot and this has really inspired me to keep at it.
26 viv commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:54 pm

wow, fabulous indeed!
viv´s last blog ..2 Mini Owlies Christmas ornaments
27 Alice at Simply The Nest commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 1:59 pm

There is a cool app for the iPhone called Out Of Focus, which allows you to blur out selected parts of the photos you take – it really helps to gives your pics that lovely professional look, even though they are only taken with a 3mg pixel camera! I have no clue whether Deb used this to edit her gorgeous photos – probably she is just a great photog! – but it’s certainly fun to play around with.

I love these photos – they are such great little vignettes. I really like the idea of blogging to chronicle our little day to day activities – whether this is an afternoon treat of cheese, figs and honey like Deb’s, a shot of the clothes in our wardrobes, the autumn flowers in our gardens, a street-sign, and so on – taken with whatever camera you happen to have on you. I’ve found that the more I blog, the more photos I take of my life in general, and it’s great to have a record of the everyday activities, as well as holidays and special occasions.
Alice at Simply The Nest´s last blog ..Champage And Hot-Dogs – A Midnight, Outdoor, Autumn Picnic
28 {this is glamorous} commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:31 pm

the photos are lovely — unbelievable that they were shot with an iphone — completely inspired.

happy monday!
xo
{this is glamorous}´s last blog ..{halloween inspiration: orange}
29 Nikki commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:37 pm

Wow! These images are amazing!
Nikki´s last blog ..Placecard of the Week: Green & Argyle
30 Renee commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 pm

I am so happy that you wrote this article and showcased the beautiful photos taken with an iPhone. I won’t wait to buy the fancy camera, I will give it a go now. I feel inspired! Thanks!
Renee´s last blog ..Bewitched
31 Vanessa commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:04 pm

Faux fur? Please tell me it isn’t real!
32 Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:23 pm

Those iPhone photos are absolutely gorgeous. Wow! I’ve been telling myself that the reason I don’t take beautiful photos is because I don’t have the right equipment. I guess as it turns out, the equipment is fine. It’s the keen eye for arranging items for photos that I don’t have. :(
Kristi @ Addicted 2 Decorating´s last blog ..Progress Report Monday:: Pet Station & Rag Tag Tassels
33 BODIE and FOU commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:29 pm

I have a very decent Canon camera but I’m far from taking gorgeous photos like Deb’s, let alone with an iphone (which I’m seriously thinking of getting instead of renewing my blackberry).
Most of all, Deb’s stylism is beautiful and her compositions are sublime and she has a real knack at putting texture and natural hues of brown, beige, grey, off white together. I’ve never really appreciated the work and influence of a stylist on a photoshoot because I’ve never seen it in practice but last August with photographer Michael Paul http://www.michaelpaulphotography.co.uk came to shoot our house in France with his stylist wife Kumiko, I realized how much a stylist can make a difference to a shot and although the photos of our house taken by other magazines were beautiful, the new ones with stylism are a lot more poetic..

http://bodieandfou.blogspot.com/
34 vosgesparis commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 5:57 pm

You are so right! if I had to wait for a real camera (instead of mine … one of the first heavy digi camera’s) I still would not have published one word on my blog.. and yet people keep asking what camera I use :)
vosgesparis´s last blog ..Weekplanner
35 Diana commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:05 pm

Well said, Holly. It’s the *photographer* who takes the photograph, not the camera. It’s actually a bit insulting to hear someone praise a fancy camera for producing beautiful work instead of praising the artist. I love how the comic strip “What the Duck” puts it…

Client: “Your camera takes nice photographs.”
Photographer: “Your mouth makes nice compliments.”

As you say – the limitation is not having enough equipment – it’s about believing in yourself and trying. Maybe it’s not your calling, and that’s fine, not everyone can take gorgeous photos with their iPhone as Deb Mclean has done so well. But you never know until you try. The universe could be waiting for you to take that leap!

Some great Flickr pools for “toy” camera photography:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/dianaphotos/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/lowres/
http://www.flickr.com/groups/matchboxpinhole/ (yes, all you need to take photos is a matchbox and some film)
Diana´s last blog ..One Morning in Late October
36 Penny Patten commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 6:36 pm

Great Pic’s from a cell phone, nice styling too!
Penny Patten´s last blog ..Some Pretty Things and Collectables
37 decor8 commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:06 pm

vosgesparis: I get that too. And I use a non-SLR Lumix camera and use mostly manual settings because I am low-tech when it comes to cameras in general.
38 Laili Kafi commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:19 pm

This is a true testament to having a good eye – the pairing, coloring, and materials she used were what made the pictures so perfect, and the fact that someone can do all that and take a picture with an iPhone is inspiring! Just goes to show you always have to be ready cause you never know when you’ll come across the perfect shot…
Laili Kafi´s last blog ..All About Orange
39 leni commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 7:24 pm

amazing photography!
leni´s last blog ..Halloween Weekend Recap (in Photos)
40 Cookie Cutter commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:01 pm

Gorgeous pics! I would never have guessed they were from an iPhone. Looks like I gotta work on my iphone skills.
Cookie Cutter´s last blog ..Cute Japanese needlecraft
41 Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 8:37 pm

Those are some amazing shots! It looks like there were some blur filters added in post-processing, once she downloaded the images from her iPhone. But stunning, and wonderful colors, nonetheless! I’m impressed!
Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly´s last blog ..Pretty, Shiny, Sparkly New Blogname!
42 anthony teo commented:
November 2nd, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Quite inspiring.. clean n chic
43 Jacqueline commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 am

These photos look amazing! Her works are gorgeous! I really adore her style…would be nice to be able to have her style my little creative workspace. hehe Have a lovely merry happy week and love to you!
Jacqueline´s last blog .."Something Old, New, Borrowed, and Blue
44 Sophie @ Century Finds commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:28 am

Great idea Holly to highlight this. I use a point and shoot myself and more than being all I need, it is exactly what I need. I only get into trouble when I have to play around with settings :-)
Sophie @ Century Finds´s last blog ..New at Century Finds – Jen Renninger
45 cristin @ simplified bee commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 1:05 am

Love these images. I agree – nice styling!

xo,
cristin
cristin @ simplified bee´s last blog ..Custom Reusable Stickers – $50 Sticviews GIVEAWAY
46 juliette commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 4:10 am

All pictures on my blog are done with my cell phone camera. Am I frustrated not to have a digital camera of my own yet? Yes. (and do most consider me in the dark ages, yes! ha) But I’ve learned a lot of photography tricks just with the phone camera, telling myself it’s better than spending hordes on film and development using my good film-only camera. I think I’ll be taking some good mid-level shots when I finally get a proper digital camera.

Rather than a nice digital SLR camera (which I would love!) I’m hoping to get a good point and shoot that I can take with me everywhere. I feel that’s the most realistic use of camera-budget-funds.
juliette´s last blog ..Free Printable: 2010 Calendar
47 Brooke H commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:05 am

Wow, I was not expecting you to day iPhone! Canon point and shoot maybe, but an iPhone?!?! Amazing.
Brooke H´s last blog ..New Print: Milie
48 Filipa commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 am

Fantastic!!!!!!!
49 Kit commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 7:28 am

I have a lovely retro baby pink point and shoot camera which I love and I keep procrastinating to trying to shoot with it, thinking that I need at the very least a dSLR or a vintage Lomo cam. If all else fails, there is still post processing so there really is no excuse.
50 Juana @ SweetVisualAids commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 am

Indeed in the end it always come down to talent and a great eye! :)
Juana @ SweetVisualAids´s last blog ..Remembering Barcelona!!!
51 APRIL MOON commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 11:54 am

DEB McLEAN, HOW’D YOU GET SO FABULOUS?!
52 A Sort Of Fairy Tale commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 12:57 pm

iphone….very unexpected! i completey agree that it is you who makes the shot. it’s nice to have a fancy camera, but really, as you’ve shown us from this post, some great shots can be had with a modest camera.
A Sort Of Fairy Tale´s last blog ..Honeytree Photography!
53 Sandy commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:45 pm

Wow, inspiring in the least. I will go experiment with my lil camera as soon as I am done perusing Decor8!
But from an ethical standpoint, that animal fur draped over the chair sure looks real. I hope Deb uses only faux animal products for sake of senseless cruelty.
54 decor8 commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 pm

Sandy: I’m not sure, you should contact her directly through her website.
55 Jennifer commented:
November 3rd, 2009 at 10:35 pm

That’s amazing that those shots were taken with an iphone. I definitely need to experiment more – I have an iphone, but none of my photo’s look anywhere near that good.
56 kalanicut commented:
November 4th, 2009 at 1:53 am

I was just fussing about not being able to get any good photos for my blog with my current camera and bad apartment lighting. I stand corrected it IS possible. Whew! What a relief.
57 Sam Firestone commented:
November 14th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Not only is Deb busy being fabulous on her iphone, but she is quickly becoming one of the most sought after stylists here in Australia and abroad. She is talent from top to toe and everything she touches is an incredible visual experience. I am on her blog daily for my dose of inspiration. Loving it.
58 ara133photography commented:
November 24th, 2009 at 11:25 am

Those are just lovely!! The iphone would be a wonderful companion when you don’t have the larger camera with you (I’m always wishing I’d brought my nice camera places – you never know when you’re going to be inspired!).
ara133photography´s last blog ..At Tara in this fateful hour – 8×10 Fine Art Photograph Print
59 Tricia McKellar commented:
November 24th, 2009 at 11:42 am

I had bookmarked this post and came back to see these fabulous *iphone* photos again– so beautiful! :)
Tricia McKellar´s last blog ..Show the Bling or Why You Should Include Expensive Items in Your Online Shop

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