Robin Verrier is verry stylish. No, that extra r isn't a typo. She launched her company, Verry Robin, to bring prop styling and brand photography to companies like yours truly. When we worked with Robin on our beach towel shoot, we were impressed by her creativity and ease on set. And the pictures speak for themselves. We talked to Robin about her background, process, and taking the plunge to start her own business.  

What do you do?

I'm a commercial prop stylist and photographer for brands. What I do in a nutshell is style and photograph delicious photography that brands use to advertise with. My work is used in magazines, lookbooks, catalogs, websites and everything in-between! I'm also an art director so I help brands with rebranding, launching new lines, every aspect of a photoshoot, creating aesthetics and more.

Where did you go to college, what did your path look like post-college leading to the job you have created for yourself now?

I studied Fashion Merchandising at Virginia Commonwealth University which was a great degree for what I'm doing now. It's half business/accounting/marketing and half visual merchandising and branding.

After college, I worked at a magazine as their prop stylist and photographer. I worked there for almost 2 years when I realized I wanted to do this for my own business. I took the plunge and started Verry Robin & Co. and here we are today almost 4 years later! Editor's Note: scariest thing I've ever done but also, by far, the most rewarding.

If someone can't afford a prop stylist, what tips do you have for considering and adding props to a photoshoot?

Great question! I think to represent yourself and your brand to the world in the best way, you need to know yourself and your brand in the best way. I sometimes ask my clients to make a list of words that represent their brand for me. This can be anything like: sleek, modern, feminine, strong, bold. Then I normally ask for a Pinterest board so I can see visual examples of what my clients are attracted to. It's all about taking the ideas and daydreams and nailing it down to aesthetics, colors, moods and later props so you can create photography that represent you and your company accurately.

"It's all about taking the ideas and daydreams and nailing it down to aesthetics, colors, moods and later props, so you can create photography that represent you and your company accurately."  

So that is always a helpful exercise to do. I also suggest going out to antique shops and sourcing props for shoots. This is helpful for a few reasons: over time you get to know your personal aesthetic when you're out exploring and gravitate towards certain things. You may also come across one-of-a-kind pieces this way too. (I'm personally drawn to coral, antique papers, minerals and blue Wedgwood!)

Favorite design element to bring some luxe to the bathroom?

Well, of course, it's not a good bathroom experience if your towels aren't up to snuff. So first things first - fluffy, delicious towels will always do the trick. Next on my list are fresh flowers. It's amazing what a little vase of fresh flowers will do for the soul. And lastly, if you can, invest in nice hand soaps, bubble baths and lotions so you can make every day experiences luxurious in an easy way. (It's truly the little things, right?)

"Well, of course, it's not a good bathroom experience if your towels aren't up to snuff. So first things first - fluffy, delicious towels will always do the trick."