Author name: Becca Bond

Dee and I had a fantastic opportunity to photograph the Cashiers Designer Showhome, which featured 12 incredible interior designers from all over the Southeast! We were commissioned to photograph for three of the designers. The Cashiers Designer Showhome is an annual event hosted by the Cashiers Historical Society that brings together designers and builders to create a dream home. We knew we had to do an exceptional job to create photos that would showcase the home’s design in the best way possible. The day before the shoot, I (Becca) injured my ankle and ended up on crutches. I was so frustrated—but also incredibly grateful that Dee was there to work alongside me, because I was moving slowly! It was also kind of embarrassing to be hobbling around; my stair-climbing skills were anything but graceful.  There may have been some jokes about how I walk like the crypt keeper. We arrived in Cashiers, NC, the evening before the shoot and were able to do a site visit of the home. This allowed us to form a game plan, since we knew the next day would be very busy. That night, Dee played guitar on the porch of our Airbnb overlooking the lake—it helped to calm some of the nervous excitement I was feeling. The next morning, we were up early and ready to go. We got to work with some amazing designers. First up were Sarah and Evan from J. Banks Design. We loved collaborating with them and appreciated their attention to detail in every photo we created together.  They decorated the kitchen, great room and foyer.  Everything was earthy and textured, with lots of natural materials and gorgeous pieces of art. Then we worked with Louise Hane, a friend who actually recommended me for this project. She designed a bedroom that told the story of an eclectic Bohemian woman—someone I’d love to be or be friends with. I admired how much thought she put into developing the character of the room, with equestrian-themed art, a guitar, and Grateful Dead and John Prine records.  I am inspired to redo my own bedroom like this. Next, we collaborated with Roane from Loudermilk Designs. She was so much fun to work with—we loved her personality and her expressions. The dining room Loudermilk created was exceptional. Surrounded by windows on three sides and opening onto the terrace, it featured a high, black-lacquered ceiling and tall black walls. I imagined the person who would live in this space as someone with a love for horticulture and a refined taste for comfort. In the evening, it felt like the perfect setting for a glowing, festive dinner party. After working with our clients, we took the opportunity to photograph some of the other areas, because every part of the home was just SO BEAUTIFUL. Each designer clearly poured their heart into their space, meticulously curating every element from fabrics to art. One thing that surprised me was how cohesive the separately designed rooms felt. We ended up staying late—actually, we were the last ones there. We even flew the drone, and Dee created a Matterport scan of the common areas, which was really cool. This is why we love photographing for designers and builders. It feels like creative storytelling—with a slightly OCD twist—which scratches an itch for both of us. Dee and I work so well together on photoshoots: he brings the problem-solving, time keeping and tech support, and I bring the whimsy and play. Two is better than one! Plus, we can accomplish so much more together. I really hope to work on more show homes in the future.