Art Advice: Style with Photography
Photography can rouse certain emotions and hold a strong narrative, so styling with it requires careful consideration. To ensure it does not become too intense, focus on balance, create space in the composition, varying the scale and picking out a considered colour palette. This guide is based on the Studio Soleil Photo collection, shot on location in the French Riviera by the Desenio team. The collection features strong colours, clear contrasts and a definite French Riviera feel. It is high-energy.
Statement piece or gallery wall?
I opted to create a gallery wall with this collection, instead of a single statement piece. Given that the collection is intense and colour filled, the challenge of building a gallery wall that builds up a feeling rather than letting one image carry everything felt right. If, however, you want to commit to a statement image, it’s a great way to create a bold expression in your space. Spend time selecting the right image and consider how the frame will complement or contrast the piece. (More on frames later)
With a gallery wall there is an opportunity to build a story, picking out designs that carry the narrative forward. Using cohesive colours and a defined theme is a great way to ensure that it holds together. Whether you opt of a statement piece or a gallery wall is totally up to you, both will have a big impact on the energy in the room.
Creating a gallery wall with photographs
When designing a gallery wall, it’s always a good idea to start with a centre piece. This photograph will define the feel and intention of the rest of the wall, as well as marking out a colour palette. I picked a piece with several colours and clear movement, which became a natural starting point to the overall composition, I then selected pieces with the same colours and tones to build out a cohesive story.
Remember to create space
In Studio Soleil, there is a lot going on in each photograph with colour, detail and the subject of each image. Thus, it becomes all the more important to create breathing space within a gallery wall. I selected some quieter photos with less going on and added picture mounts which help to give the eye a rest.
Top Tip: Play with scale
Combining close ups with wider camera angles creates a dynamic depth. If you only select photos with approximately the same scale, there’s a risk that the gallery wall will feel both flat and messy at the same time. The eye has a hard time knowing what to focus on.
Create calmer moments in the whole
Since photography can make a strong visual statement, creating pause within a gallery wall is essential. This can be done with space between frames, picture mounts or by picking out a calmer piece, such as a typography design or abstract pieces. By hanging carefully, even a maximalist collection like Studio Soleil can feel intentional and balanced.
The colour palette
With colourful photo art, it easy to fall into the trap of adding more and more colour. With this gallery wall I chose to limit the colour palette. I picked two or three main tones, picking them up over several photographs to create coherence.
Pick the right frames
Selecting the right frames for your gallery wall can tweak the expression considerably. If you want to create a soft and warm expression, oak frames are great option, while if you want bold and contrasting, picking black is the best choice. White frames will create an airy and light feel. Matching frames will make everything work together, but if you want more contrast and an eclectic feel, you can mix across styles.
When creating a gallery wall with photography you want to focus on the emotional story behind the images. This will often be very personal, and picking out art that you react to is a great way to create something that combines story, individuality and effortless style. Don’t aim for perfection but rather aim for a narrative across the composition that is both subjective, expressive and adds depth to the space in which it is hung.
