Arlem Photography Plan 2026

Objective: Build a comprehensive image catalogue to support 50+ articles, social media, and product pages throughout 2026.

Current Catalogue Analysis

What We Have (38 images)

• Linen Bedhead Cushion: Heavy coverage of Natural color with French Seam
• Bouclé Bedhead Cushion: Some shots (Ecru, Ivory, Umber)
• Settings: Almost exclusively minimalist bedrooms with white/neutral bedding
• Lifestyle: Limited shots with people (only 2-3 reading/relaxing shots)
• Decorative Cushions: Only Molly appears in catalogue
• Throw Rugs: Minimal coverage

Critical Gaps

1. Velvet Bedhead Cushion - Zero lifestyle shots in catalogue
2. Stone Linen - Underrepresented
3. White Linen - Underrepresented
4. Relaxed Fit Edge - Most shots feature French Seam
5. Decorative Cushions - 16 products with almost no lifestyle imagery
6. Varied Bedroom Styles - Everything looks the same
7. Seasonal Variety - No autumn/winter cozy shots
8. Behind-the-Scenes - Workshop/making process shots

Photography Sessions Overview

Session 1: Hero Product Coverage (Priority: HIGH)

Goal: Fill critical product gaps with professional lifestyle shots

Location: Styled Bedroom Studio/Home

Velvet Bedhead Cushion

• Hero shot on white bedding, morning light
• Moody evening shot with warm lighting
• Detail shot showing velvet texture/sheen
• Styled with decorative cushions in front
• Person reading/relaxing against it

Stone Linen Bedhead

• Hero shot showing the grey-brown tone
• Styled with earthy/terracotta accessories
• Both French Seam and Relaxed Fit variations
• Close-up texture shot

White Linen Bedhead

• Bright, airy bedroom shot
• Styled with coloured bedding to show versatility
• French Seam and Relaxed Fit variations

Relaxed Fit Edge Style

• Direct comparison with French Seam (side by side)
• Close-up showing the casual, lived-in look
• Multiple colors in Relaxed Fit

Session 2: Bedroom Style Variations (Priority: HIGH)

Goal: Create diverse settings to support trend articles and appeal to different aesthetics

Location: Multiple homes/Airbnbs/styled spaces

Coastal Bedroom

• Light timber furniture, blue/white accents
• Natural linen bedhead cushion
• Woven textures, rattan accessories
• Bright, beachy natural light

• Supports: “The Coastal Bedroom” article

Earthy/Terracotta Bedroom

• Clay, sand, rust tones
• Stone linen bedhead cushion
• Dried flowers, ceramic vessels
• Warm afternoon light

• Supports: “Earthy Bedrooms” article

Sage Green Bedroom

• Soft green walls or bedding
• Natural or Ecru bedhead cushion
• Plants, natural elements
• Calming, spa-like feel

• Supports: “The Soft Sage Bedroom” article

Modern Minimalist

• Clean lines, monochromatic
• White linen or Ivory bouclé
• Architectural details
• High contrast lighting

Heritage/Character Home

• Ornate ceiling rose, timber floors
• Bedhead cushion against feature wall
• Vintage-inspired styling
• Soft, diffused light

Small Bedroom/Apartment

• Compact space, clever styling
• Show how bedhead cushion works without traditional headboard
• Multi-functional furniture nearby

• Supports: “Small Bedroom, Big Impact” article

Luxury Hotel Style

• Layered pillows, crisp bedding
• Multiple cushion sizes
• Side tables with accessories
• Aspirational, polished look

• Supports: “How to Style Your Bed Like a Boutique Hotel” article

Session 3: Lifestyle & People (Priority: HIGH)

Goal: Show products in use - create emotional connection and demonstrate function

Models: Woman 28-55, relatable/aspirational

Morning Routine

• Woman sitting up in bed with coffee
• Reaching for phone on nightstand
• Stretching, natural morning light
• Robe, messy bed, lived-in feel

Reading/Relaxing

• Person reading book/magazine against bedhead
• Comfortable, supported posture
• Various angles showing back support
• Laptop/iPad use in bed

Couple Shots

• Two people in bed, relaxed conversation
• One person reading, one sleeping
• Weekend morning vibe

Making the Bed

• Action shots of arranging pillows
• Fluffing cushions
• Final styling touches

• Supports: “Pillow Layering” tutorial

Session 4: Seasonal Content (Priority: MEDIUM)

Goal: Create seasonally-appropriate imagery for year-round content

Autumn/Winter Cozy

• Heavier blankets, throw rugs
• Warm lighting, candles
• Bouclé textures featured
• Umber bouclé for warmth
• Person reading with throw rug

• Supports: “Autumn Bedroom Refresh” & “Winter Bedroom Sanctuary” articles

Spring/Summer Fresh

• Light, breathable bedding
• Bright natural light
• Fresh flowers in frame
• Windows open, curtains flowing

• Supports: “Spring Refresh” & “Summer Bedroom Essentials” articles

Session 5: Decorative Cushions Collection (Priority: MEDIUM)

Goal: Create lifestyle shots for 16 decorative cushion products

Location: Bedroom & Living Room Settings

Bedroom Styling

• Molly (bouclé) - On bed in front of bedhead cushion
• Ivy (green velvet) - With neutral bedhead, adding color pop
• Halo - Layered arrangement
• Onyx (black) - Modern, dramatic bedroom
• Multiple cushions styled together

Living Room Crossover

• Cushions on sofas/armchairs
• Reading nook setups
• Window seat styling
• Show versatility beyond bedroom

Color Stories

• Neutral collection (Molly, Arlo, Florence)
• Warm collection (Honey, Paprika, Sadie)
• Cool collection (Ivy, Luna, Iris)
• Mixed arrangements

Session 6: Behind the Brand (Priority: MEDIUM)

Goal: Authentic workshop/making shots for trust-building content

Location: Emily’s Workshop

The Making Process

• Cutting fabric with care
• Sewing machine close-ups
• Hand-finishing details
• Quality checking
• Fabric selection/swatches

Materials Story

• Raw linen fabric bolts
• Bouclé texture close-ups
• Velvet sheen detail
• Eco-friendly insert filling
• Australian supplier materials

Workspace Aesthetic

• Organised workspace
• Tools of the trade
• Finished products stacked
• Packaging process

• Supports: “Handmade in South Australia” article

Session 7: Detail & Texture Shots (Priority: MEDIUM)

Goal: Close-up imagery for product pages, social media, and texture articles

Fabric Textures

• Linen weave macro shots (each color)
• Bouclé loops close-up (each color)
• Velvet pile direction/sheen
• French Seam stitching detail
• Relaxed Fit edge detail

Comparison Shots

• All linen colors side by side
• All bouclé colors side by side
• French Seam vs Relaxed Fit
• Fabric texture comparison (linen vs bouclé vs velvet)

• Supports: “Linen vs Bouclé” comparison article

Care & Quality

• Removable cover demonstration
• Zipper quality
• Insert cushion
• Tag/branding details

Session 8: Throw Rugs & Accessories (Priority: LOW)

Goal: Complete catalogue for secondary products

Throw Rug Lifestyle

• Draped on bed end
• Person wrapped in throw
• Folded on armchair
• Various colors in situ

Vessels (Julen & Rowan)

• On bedside table
• With dried flowers
• Multiple styling options
• As part of bedroom vignette

Session 9: Before & After / Transformation (Priority: LOW)

Goal: Dramatic transformation shots for social proof

• Empty bed frame → Styled with bedhead cushion
• Basic bedroom → Elevated with Arlem products
• Same bed, different styling options

• Supports: "Bedroom Before & After" article

Shot List Summary

By Product (minimum shots needed)

By Category

Technical Specifications

Image Requirements

• Resolution: Minimum 3000px on longest edge
• Format: RAW + JPEG
• Aspect Ratios:

- Landscape 16:9 (hero images) - Square 1:1 (Instagram/product) - Portrait 4:5 (Pinterest/stories)

• Color Profile: sRGB for web

Lighting Guidelines

• Natural light preferred
• Golden hour for warm shots
• Bright midday for fresh/airy
• Soft diffused for detail shots
• Avoid harsh shadows on products

Styling Guidelines

• Keep bedding neutral (white, cream, light grey)
• Ensure products are the hero
• Include props sparingly (books, plants, ceramics)
• Maintain brand aesthetic (calm, luxurious, natural)

Timeline Recommendation

Q1 2026 (January-March)

• Session 1: Hero Product Coverage (Velvet, Stone, White)
• Session 3: Lifestyle & People shots
• Session 7: Detail & Texture shots

Q2 2026 (April-June)

• Session 2: Bedroom Style Variations (6 different settings)
• Session 5: Decorative Cushions Collection
• Session 4: Autumn/Winter seasonal content

Q3 2026 (July-September)

• Session 6: Behind the Brand
• Session 4: Spring/Summer seasonal content
• Session 9: Before & After transformations

Q4 2026 (October-December)

• Session 8: Throw Rugs & Accessories
• Gap filling and reshoots as needed
• Holiday/gift styling

Location Scouting Checklist

Ideal Bedroom Characteristics

• Large windows (natural light)
• Neutral wall colors
• Timber or neutral flooring
• Space to move around bed
• Interesting architectural details (bonus)
• Different aesthetic to existing shots

Potential Locations

• Styled display homes
• Airbnb properties (luxury tier)
• Friends/family homes with good bedrooms
• Interior designer project homes
• Hotel partnerships
• Studio rental with bedroom set

Budget Considerations

DIY vs Professional

DIY Possible:

• Detail/texture shots
• Behind-the-scenes workshop
• Simple product-only shots
• Social media content

Professional Recommended:

• Lifestyle shots with models
• Bedroom style variations
• Hero product photography
• Any shots used for ads

Equipment Checklist

• Camera (full-frame preferred)
• 35mm & 85mm lenses
• Reflector/diffuser
• Portable LED panel
• Tripod
• Styling kit (steamer, lint roller, clips)

Catalogue Naming Convention

[product]-[color]-[style]-[setting]-[number].jpg

Examples:
linen-natural-french-coastal-01.jpg
boucle-ecru-relaxed-minimalist-03.jpg
velvet-hero-lifestyle-reading-02.jpg
workshop-cutting-fabric-01.jpg

Success Metrics

After completing this photography plan:

• Every product variant has at least 3 lifestyle shots
• 6+ distinct bedroom styles represented
• 20+ shots featuring people using products
• Seasonal content for all 4 seasons
• Complete behind-the-brand story
• Every article in content calendar has appropriate imagery

Next Steps

1. Prioritise Sessions 1 & 3 - Fill critical Velvet gap and create lifestyle content
2. Scout 3-4 locations for bedroom style variations
3. Book photographer/model for lifestyle sessions
4. Create shot lists for each session day
5. Schedule Sessions 2 & 5 for Q2

This plan supports the Content Ideas 2026 calendar and should be reviewed quarterly to assess progress and adjust priorities.