I’ve been rearranging furniture since I was a kid—not for chores, but for the thrill of making a space feel right. That instinct has only grown stronger, whether I’m styling a high-end renovation, an Airbnb on vacation, or my own (often chaotic) home with three kids.

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Before launching Elissa Benzie Style, I spent over a decade as a photo editor and photojournalist at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where I learned how to tell a story through composition, light, and instinct. That background shaped how I approach every shoot—with an editorial eye, a collaborative spirit, and a deep respect for the design process.

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To me, styling is a creative exercise. It’s not just fluffing pillows or staging bowls of fruit—it’s about amplifying a designer’s vision, setting the tone, and creating images that feel as good as they look. And yes, I like to keep it light on set—because great work happens when everyone’s relaxed and having fun.