SOUTHERN EXPOSURE

If her gorgeous Atlanta digs are any indication, lifestyle photographer Lauren Rubinstein is ready for her own close-up

Produced, written and directed by Brian Patrick Flynn with photography by Sarah Dorio and Lauren Rubinstein

You know that saying about shoemakers spawning eternally barefoot kids? Yeah, that saying doesn’t apply to photographer Lauren Rubinstein, like AT ALL. The southern beauty [by way of Pa.] is a master with decorating, food and entertaining not only for her editorial assignments but also with her own southern abode.

Our day at the sharp shooter’s charming home was somewhat of a fish-out-of-water experience. Lauren is accustomed to photographing the subject, not BEING the subject. Role reversal came into play not once, but twice: as portrait model and as featured decorator. For nearly 10 years, this lady-of-the-lens has picked up just about every trick of the trade. From color palettes and symmetry to accessorizing and texture, her own home rivals the designer spaces in her stunning portfolio. In fact, many of those images helped shape her country-infused coastal style. After stepping foot inside her three-story southern traditional, it was evident that both Lauren and her home were ready for their closeup.

Chasing waterfalls [LAUREN'S HOUSE]

Azure trickles calmingly throughout Lauren’s home starting with modern art by Scott Upton above a blue-grey French console table at the first floor landing. In the dining room, linens in a soft blue grace the table as a turquoise ladder-back chair sits pretty in an adjacent corner. Aged rustic textures and sea life are a common motif from atop a hallway storage trunk to a collection of framed coral fans above a guest room bed.

Blue print [LAUREN'S PORTFOLIO]

Both a living room vertical and a kitchen vignette from Lauren’s portfolio inspired the decorating blueprint for her own home: casual and coastal styles with accents of cool blue.

On the job training

After 10 years shooting cuisine, Lauren has become quite the chef herself. Amidst our day-long shoot, the photographer and her mom, Pamela, whipped us up a magically delicious, foodie-caliber Caesar salad. Too bad we forgot to photograph it – doh! An assortment of images from Lauren’s body of work demonstrates her up-close-and-personal relationship with gourmet dishes, comfort foods and to-die-for desserts as well as the spaces in which they’re created.

Food for thought [LAUREN'S PORTFOLIO]

Anyone familiar with editorial photography knows the inexplicable amount of set-up and execution that goes into lighting, styling and shooting food and kitchen spreads. Lauren makes it look effortless. Often paired with top stylist Annette Joseph, the dynamic duo cook up something visually delectable every time. From the exact mason jar in which to showcase iced tea to rare imported fruits for color and texture, everything is meticulously pre-selected to be picture perfect. Ever spend 45 minutes watching condensation form on a San Pellegrino bottle before? For food photographers and stylists, its the norm.

Lighting issue

We opted to wait it out as murky clouds stole our f@%&$ natural light. While our makeup artist, Nancy, dolled Lauren up for her portrait, I pondered plots with which to steal her trio of Norwich Terriers. Jack [10] , Isabelle [8] and Lizzy [12] are so remarkably trained, it seems as though photo shoots are part of their daily routine. Although weather prevented us from photographing Lauren’s exteriors, she provided us with breathtaking outdoor spaces from her portfolio.

The great outdoors [LAUREN'S PORTFOLIO]

Part of being a great photographer is finding the perfect angle. Shoot me from the side and I look like a neckless water buffalo; snap the shot straight on and magically I become a slenderized, dark-haired homosapien. While this is exceptionally tricky with humans and interiors, it’s often more difficult with exteriors and architecture. A facade shot from too far back may include unsightly power and telephone lines. Entryways shot too close up may lose grandeur in relation to a grand home’s scale. Get it? Well, Lauren does. Her exteriors tell stories. For example, a picture window perfectly framing a tree at dusk invites you out back for a glass of wine. The family dog asleep outside a backdoor entrance suggests someone is peacefully keeping watch. Dappled afternoon light gracing a boat house deck evokes the feeling of a laid-back summer day. A shaded vine-clad garage welcomes you home from a long day of work. You get the point.

The green grass grew all around [LAUREN'S PORTFOLIO]

Timeless green-inclusive spaces from Lauren’s portfolio act as inspiration for her own home. Not only would the grassy hue reappear in the photographer’s guest room but so would a similar effortless, organic-inspired style.

The color of money [LAUREN'S HOUSE]

Lauren personalized an upstairs guest room with her part country, part coastal aesthetic. Vintage glass jugs seen in a portfolio dining room shot translate to the guest room in the form of a clear glass table lamp. Assorted shades of the lucky color appear in framed photography, a metal side table, bed linens and a vintage spool of ribbon.

Read all about it

Our leading lady’s work appears in two new entertaining books: Tea with a Twist and The World in Your Teacup. Salivate over more of Lauren’s stunning images [both food and square footage related] at LARphotography.