15 under 40: Ginny Branch
Prop stylist Ginny Branch commands a strong social media following where she visually documents inspirational musings alongside her work on swoon-worthy photo shoots for clients such as Anthropologie and Ballard Designs. But the project dearest to Branch is CAMP (an acronym for Creating Art Meaning Purpose), a series of Atlanta-based workshops she co-founded to nurture the talents of local designers, artists and other creatives. As creative director, Branch helps host workshops such as floral arranging, upholstery 101, beauty tutorials, photography styling and even business acumen for small-business owners.
How did you get your start as a prop stylist? I’ve always been a collector and a hunter/gatherer by nature. I started off in retail and visual merchandising for fashion luxury brands in NYC but found myself spending my weekends and days off scouring flea markets for treasures that I would compose and photograph for my blog. As soon as I learned about a prop styling career, something in my mind clicked. When I moved back to Atlanta I pursued it full force, assisting a few stylists before starting out on my own. Four years later I’m still styling and loving every minute of it!
Do you have a mentor? I think I don’t have one mentor but an amazing support system of friends and family who continue to encourage me even when I get discouraged. I do like the quote “Work Hard and Be Nice.” That is almost like a daily mantra.
Where do you like to shop for inspiration? Star Provisions is my favorite store in Atlanta and I love their merchandising and products. It feels so special and well-curated and I just think it is the most forward-thinking store in the city. I also love going to the flower market and farmers markets to find beautiful, colorful things from the natural world. I try and make it to Scott Antiques Markets when it comes to town to find new objects of interest. Also, Pinterest is a wonderful way of cataloguing my findings on the internet and creating a visual archive from art, nature, films, fashion, textiles, textures, objects, as well as the beautiful work of many talented photographers.
What materials do you love working with? I’m my happiest when I’m creating still-lifes with a photographer for a test shoot where we just get to play so there aren’t any rules and we can make it up as we go along. Currently I’m into African beads, curiosities like animal bones and horns, feathers, shells, botanical prints, wild flowers, crumbly and stained paper, hand thrown/built ceramics and pottery and hand dyed textiles.
Any exciting projects you have in the works? I’m pretty excited about traveling to Greece in September to teach a workshop with my friend, stylist Ginny Au. Any project that involves travel gets my heart racing.
Dream client or project? I definitely have a short list of clients I am dying to work for—West Elm, Martha Stewart, World of Interiors. I also would love to try my hand at styling a Garnet Hill cover. I love their beautiful still-life compositions. I also would love to style more beautiful coffee table book projects.
To view more of Branch’s work, visit ginnybranch.com.
{This year’s 15 under 40 class is presented by Mathews’ Furniture Galleries}
Photos by Jennifer Causey
