“Typewriter Treasures” is a prop styling project I created in my home photo studio, which is filled with natural light. In projects like this, where I focus on a specific person, I strive to connect the props directly to their unique interests and experiences. My goal is to tell a story through the props I choose, making sure each one reflects something meaningful about the person.
This particular project revolves around Isabel, who has been a passionate collector of typewriters for many years. Her collection is a vibrant mix, featuring six stunning typewriters: an orange Hermes Baby, a green Royal Safari, an avocado-green Royal Futura 800, a cream Olympia SM 9, a sky-blue Olivetti Studio 46, and a blue Smith Corona Galaxie Twelve. Isabel also shares her love for typewriting through workshops she conducts at the Alpharetta Library, especially around major holidays like Christmas.
This art and photo prop styling project was part of a written interview Isabel did for my blog, Entrepreneurial Ladies, which highlights the journeys and achievements of women creatives, professionals, and solo entrepreneurs. In the interview, Isabel shared her love for typewriters, explaining how her collection began and why each machine is special to her. We discussed the details and history behind each typewriter, and how her hobby grew into a way to connect with others through the art of typewriting.
Isabel has an art background, a love for vintage decor details, and an open-minded approach to exploring new activities. It was important to reflect these qualities in the photos. When selecting props, I kept this in mind as a guiding light. I incorporated vintage-themed items like postcards, a fountain pen, a newspaper, a lace napkin, and fresh flowers, which added a contemporary touch connecting us to the present day. Isabel provided books about typewriting, her travel journal, and, of course, her entire collection of typewriters.
When styling, I always aim to maintain a balance between busy and empty spaces, avoiding an overload of props. This balance creates a sense of harmony in the composition, which ultimately reflects in the photos. It’s similar to life—creating harmony requires balancing various things and activities.
For the props, I chose neutral and soft pink colors to complement the colorful typewriters, ensuring that the overall look remained cohesive and visually pleasing. The photos captured Isabel’s love for typewriting but also beautifully portrayed her artistic spirit and love for vintage charm.
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All images in this article were taken by Elena Sullivan, ArsVie Photo Studio and are protected by copyright. If you are interested in using any of the them, please contact me for permission. Thank you for understanding!
