In my former life I was a full-time field editor for the Meredith group of magazines (Better Homes & Gardens, Traditional Home, et. al.), and during my time in France I’ve continued part-time, writing and/or producing the occasional story for them, in France or on visits to Charleston.
So today, for the curious among you, we shall look at a day in the life of a field editor. This particular field being the heart of Provence, not a bad place to work! This story, which I produced, styled, and wrote, came out in the winter issue of Country French, a Meredith bookazine. Here is a behind the scenes look at how it all happens.
I found the house through a friend in Provence who knew a designer there; the designer did this house for an expat couple. I never actually met the owners, who have multiple homes.
The first step: I visit the house, and if it works I take scouting photos which I will then send to my staff editor in the states. She will then say oui or non. To be successful a field editor has to have experience in knowing which of Meredith’s 20-odd shelter magazines, if any, is a fit for the house, and if it will in fact please a particular editor. I knew as soon as I saw this one that it had an excellent chance of landing in Country French: Provençal romance, lovely architecture, the designer’s hand evident in the interiors, and the furnishings high end.
I happened to be going to Provence anyway with my two best American buds Darlene and Sandi (photo above), and they were happy to tag along for the scouting expedition. We met the designer on site. Actually Sandi is a fellow editor, but today she was pressed into service as my ‘secretary’, recording details for the story while I took the scouting photos. Photo right: The French designer, très elegante, tells us about the garden.
The staff editor liked it, so months later I was back with my shooting team. Which usually includes me, the photographer (Gordon Beall is my regular guy, and he came over for this shoot), and an assistant. Since it was an expensive shoot far from home, Ron was pressed into service as our assistant, to save on costs. Which means he packs and unpacks the van, schleps stuff, and holds up lights as needed. The pay was lousy, but he got to travel to Provence where he would eat and drink wine, so he didn't complain.
My staff editor requested some pretty heavy propping, so we rented a van for the trip, and filled it to the brim with flowers, vases, jars, outdoor pots, hats, pillows, throws, vegetables, bread, cutting boards, and all the other props necessary to make a second home look a bit more lived in (at left: loading up). Then the three of us crammed ourselves into the front seat and off we went. In addition, I planned to use every accessory I could find in the house (and I did!), moving things from room to room. Shooting is more complicated than you might think; there's composing, styling, lighting, and so on. it often takes a couple of hours just to do the first photo, but after that it goes faster. I wish I had a picture for you of what a room in progress looks like. The area we're shooting is propped and pristine, and just inches outside the shot it's often controlled chaos, with equipment, props, lighting, tools, a flower arranging station, etc.
It took the three of us a couple of very full days to do the shoot. Weeks later they sent me the shots they would use, and I wrote the story and captions after interviewing the owners. They used 14 shots; we took at least half again as many, which is typical.
Now the fun part: take a look at my scouting shots, then at the staff editor’s decisions. The 'after' shots are the ones they actually ran.
Scouting shot: The staff editor requested a cozy cocktail hour scene on this unfurnished patio off the kitchen.
After: We hauled furniture up from the pool to set up the shot. In the evening, we drank the props!
Scouting Shot: For the foyer, our photo order specified pillows, a bit of color, and BIG flowers.
After: In the shot I used the owners’ pillows and some that I brought. I couldn’t find any flowers tall enough at the florist, so I cut these from a tree by the side of the road on the way over!
Scouting shot: The living room propping was pretty straight forward; they asked for pastel colors to be added, with flowers and accessories.
After: I brought or borrowed pillows.I couldn’t find an interesting pastel throw, so I pressed one of my wool scarves into service.
Kitchens are always tricky. The editor asked for a breakfast scene on the table and a baking scene on the island, and we wanted to add interest and color to the empty stovetop. You have to use enough props to tell the story, but it can easily get cluttered (What, your counter doesn’t look just like this when you bake?). Shapes are important too, like the bowls and the teapot. The open door in the breakfast room shot invites you into the scene.
Scouting shot:
After, set up for breakfast:
Scouting shot:
After, with the baking scene:
While my job is styling, Gordon’s is about capturing the light; we madly follow the sun around the house as we shoot (and sometimes create sunbeams where there are none). Gordon scored some gorgeous rays in this shot of the daughter's bedroom. We work together on coming up with the composition, though he’s the real pro.
Darn, we didn’t make the cover! Cover shots are a special breed, and we always try to line one up. We use a cover template with the title/logo to help us. But only one per issue gets chosen, it’s tough! Here's the cover from that issue:
Now it you'd like to see an article I shot and wrote recently in France, pick up the debut copy of Mediterranean Homes and Lifestyle, which is on newsstands now, to see a gorgeous French village garden in Burgundy.
18 thoughts on “Adventures of a Magazine Editor in France”
Beautiful!! The photo with the vine around the door reminds me of the watercolor Paul did of Stoll’s Alley. I take heart that you said while the area in the photo looks pristine, “just inches outside the shot it’s often controlled chaos.” It’s good to have it straight from the source that no one has living quarters that look like a magazine photo shoot. Happy New Year!
Very enjoyable post, especially with the “before and after” shots.
Loved this article to see how it actually works. My girlfriend also writes for Meredith so it caught my eye. Thanks.
Love this post. Thanks for showing us how the magic occurs (start with Provence, add flowers…)
Absolutely love this Lynn. You’re so talented!
Loved seeing these and the story! Before and Afters are so wonderful to see. Thanks!
What a beautiful home. The photographic presentation with the “Lynn Team” eye-pleasing touches is a class act! Thanks for sharing the venture.
It’s fascinating to see how this all comes together…and what a TON of work is involved!
This was a lot of fun and inspiring! Thanks for sharing!
Mary Anne in Austin
My gosh! This is fantastic!The photos(!)And especially(!) All your work!
You have just totally captured our imaginations!No! Make that run away with them!
Lynn,you are a REALLY talented lady;one who wears many hats and wears each one with grace and success.
Thank you for sharing this with us!
Always,thank you for each wonderful post of SFF!
I can’t tell you how much I love that home Lynn & what a wonderful & gorgeous job you did. They made a mistake by not putting your work on the cover, not fair. Fascinating story Lynn.
Sort of reminds me of staging a home for sale but not quite as involved. When I designed interiors & had my wall mural painting business I was involved in situations similar to this. The most stressful were the “Parade of Homes.” You know, when builders rush to finish a number of homes within a block or so & the madness of it all comes together with every type of tradesman you can imagine. There were heady rewards at stake, many we won. These were huge homes & tempers would flare. I remember one instance when a designer & a builder knocked heads. The builder had a fit about something with the designer & all the furniture ended up sitting in the yard with the designer sobbing her eyes out on the sofa. I don’t remember how it ended. I wasn’t involved in that home, thank goodness, but I was right next door so we were all watching this craziness take place.
Just lovely Lynn. I know just how your ‘props’ can transform a corner of a garden, or table….I am sure it was some of those shots that helped sell our house.
I agree with the other comments. Beautiful photos, and amazing to see the difference the lighting makes. The extra touches you added to the rooms are very inspirational too. It gives me some ideas for my own house, and that’s the point, isn’t it?
I guess not only is there all the work of setting up the perfect magazine-worthy shot, but then you gotta put everything back in its original place (especially in a private home).
Thanks for the inside peek. Love knowing how things “work”. Seems a special talent to make things look so elegantly easy – and not over done!
You are such a talented lady! Thanks for giving us the “behind the scenes” tour.
Dear Lynn, Awesome..allot of work and planning in addition to the knowledge and talent it takes to produce a work of your own. I sent the article to my designer daughter who just completed a photoshoot of a project in Aspen. It’s a good insight into the woman you are! Thank you!
Lynn, Have been following your blog! I sent this one to Aline (the designer) in her new home in Tangiers!! I know she will love to see her old life! I even recognized my table runner in the “borrowed” category!!
I sent your Femme piece to everyone, including the follow up signs!! Everyone loved it! No one did a better job of capturing that wonderful moment!
We will arrive in Provence in May this year and hope to see you this summer! I may even have another house for you, Madame Editor!!
Bizzzz, a.