Secrets to Creating Magazine-Worthy Interior Photos
Does your home (or office) pass the test?
Whether you’ve just finished remodeling your home, trying to sell, or photographing your home or office for an actual magazine, getting the photos perfect is a feat.
Photos are everything. A photo is worth a thousand words. Photos dominate Pinterest, Instagram, and even Facebook. Over 95 million photos are uploaded on Instagram every day. How do you make your interior photos stand out?
Designer Tips:
Tips On Staging Your Home:
Remove Clutter: Rearranging bookshelves, hiding papers and other miscellaneous items is a start to removing clutter. Don’t forget to hide electrical cords and trash cans. This will help the shot feel more refined.
Hire A Cleaner: Everything must be spotless. A professional cleaner will catch the things you don’t. Focus your time and energy styling the shoot, not on making sure you clean every corner.
Press The Linens: Every detail is so important. Pressing the linens is a step you cannot forget. Every flat sheet, fitted sheet, and pillowcase must be perfectly pressed.
“During my internship in New York, I had to fetch the dry-cleaning for a project we were photographing,” says Eden. “I looked ridiculous, walking through Manhattan, almost tripping from the weight of the sheets. To make sure they stayed spotless, I had to wear gloves. It was crucial, for the perfect photo, the linens must be pressed!”
It's also important to make sure you steam the drapes and any other fabrics that will be shot. Wrinkled fabrics are not a flattering look.
Add Flowers And Greenery: Liven the space up! Staging flowers or plants in your photos will bring your photos to the next level. Your clients will also be pleased to come home to fresh flowers.
Pro tip: Hide the electrical cords. We had an exceptional photographer in this shot that was able to photograph the cord out of it the logo sign, as shown in the image above.
When Should You Shoot?
Upon Install: This is ideal because you can get the photos when the space is looking perfect without the client. The downside is that if everything is not there you will be scrambling to replace furniture or pieces that don't belong. It may also be a bit more stressful trying to cram everything in before the final reveal.
A Few Months Later: You have time to access any extra props or styling accessories you may need. The downside is the client has lived in the space, so there may be more clutter to remove and put back.
How Long Should I Plan for Photos?
Depending on the size of the space, your photoshoot could be done in a couple of hours or last an entire day.
Eden says, “I once shot three different projects all in the same day because they were all less than a mile apart. Be courteous to your photographer. Make the best use of the photographer’s time.”
Professional Photographer Q&A:
Lindsay Salazar (Follow her @lindsay_salazar_photography) has been shooting homes for 6 years and has been featured in print or online by Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Domino, Martha Stewart, Better Homes & Gardens, House Beautiful, Real Simple, HGTV and more.
How do you like to set up and start each shoot?
I start by walking through the home with the designer. I ask them to point out anything and everything that they want me to highlight. This is an important step because it's my job to capture all of the details and hard work they've put into their homes.
Should the lights be off?
Natural light is so much prettier than artificial light so I always try to shoot with natural light. There are times when a room doesn't have windows or is painted a dark color and you have to use an additional light source. I always bring a backup light source with me in case I need it.
How do you choose the angle?
Trial and error! I shoot the room from every corner and study the images to make sure I'm capturing the best angle of the room. Most designers prefer images that are straight on so that is what I focus on.
How do you know you got the right shots?
I tether the images to an iPad so the client can view the images as I take them. This is so helpful because a room looks different in a photo than it does in real life. When the client can see the images in real-time it allows them to edit as we go by fluffing up a pillow, moving a chair, or straightening the drapes. My clients love being able to see the images and make adjustments!
Is there a particular order to the rooms and why?
Yes, I like to start in the kitchen and great room because they always take the longest!
How did you start your photography business?
I started shooting families in 2011. I love working with families and they are still about 50% of my business. In 2014 my sister, who is a designer, asked me to shoot one of her projects for her and I instantly fell in love with shooting homes. People often ask me what type of photography I enjoy more and honestly, I like the variety of shooting people and homes.
Lauren Wilks (Follow her @laurenwilksphoto) is a commercial photographer based in Seattle, Washington.
Although she graduated with a double major in Advertising and Spanish from Brigham Young University, she found herself in the world of commercial photography only months after graduation--and never looked back!
How do you like to set up and start each shoot?
Before shooting, I review the brand's matrix. I analyze certain words that best describe the company's brand and gather any props to help those words come to life. I do my best to really showcase the "mood" that the company wants to convey to its consumers. I shoot most products in natural light, so once I've gathered any props needed, I begin styling!
A little tip: If you want to shoot a product, focus on depth. Create layers with varying props so that the product is front and center, and artistically place any props behind the product so they blur out of focus.
How do you choose the angle?
Depending on what the client needs, I shoot a variety of angles. Most small products are photographed as flatlays (with the product laying on a flat surface) or 45s (with the product standing, and the camera shooting at a 45-degree angle).
What time of the day is the best?
Ooh, great question! The time of day depends on your shooting location. If you get beautiful sunlight streaming through at 10am and you want good shadows, use that. If you have softer light in the afternoon, use that.
How do you know you got the right shots?
As a commercial photographer, your client has the first and last say. You take your own preferences out of the equation when shooting for a brand. I shoot everything listed on my shot list and then some. I give extra content, so they have more to choose from. You know you've got the right shots when the client is happy!
What do you like most about your job?
My business simultaneously serves as my creative outlet and my income, and I feel so grateful for that! My favorite part is establishing wonderful relationships with other business owners and creating beautiful imagery with them!
How did you start your photography business? What advice would you give to a beginning photographer?
While working in the marketing department at my first job out of college, I began taking pictures of the company's product, and over time, gained experience and the executives' trust to keep going! I started shooting other products and my business grew from there! To any beginner photographers out there who dream of shooting commercial work, start shooting products around your house. Play with props experiment with lighting. Practice, practice, practice! With time and experience, your work will resemble that of the gorgeous brand work you see on Instagram!
Any other tips you would like to share?
The photography world on social media can feel large and overwhelming. However, you will find so many professional photographers so willing to share their knowledge with you. I fully believe in the mantra "community over competition" because as we help each other, we rise together! Have any commercial work questions for me? Reach out to me on Instagram; I'm always happy to help!
Hailey Buchanan (Follow her @brandedloftcreative) works as a creative director part-time for Plum + Sparrow and does product photography and consulting with her own company The Branded Loft.
How do you like to set up and start each shoot?
I always create a “mood board” for each product shoot I do. I like to have a little bit of structure to start from. Sometimes this is a collaborative process with my client, and sometimes they give me free rein. I have an at-home photo studio where I have a prop collection that is always growing. I pull out all of my props, start some music and just start snapping pics. I love to create true to color brand photos so my clients really have a good collection for their website, social media, and ads.
Should the lights be off?
Depends! Time of day, what I’m shooting, or the look I am going for. I usually shoot in natural light, right next to a big window, and counter that light with a reflector to get it nice and even, But sometimes I use studio lights or both!
How do you choose the angle?
I like choosing angles that play off of the symmetry of a room. I try to shoot a little lower than eye level to open up a space and make it feel bigger.
Do you photoshop afterward? What is the process?
I take all my photos into Lightroom where I use my presets to do basic edits, and then if needed, I pull them individually into photoshop to make simple edits. I try to keep my photos really natural and true to color, so I don’t add too much editing afterward.
How do you know you got the right shots?
My main focus when getting the right shot is creating something that will catch someone's eye. If my photo does that and demonstrates a space or product accurately (true to color, size) then I am happy!
What do you like most about your job?
It is never the same! Every product and client is different, and I get to be creative in a new way every time. It challenges me, but the feeling of getting that perfect shot is worth it!
What advice would you give to a beginning photographer?
Don’t compare! It's so easy to look at other photographers and think “they are so much better” or “why aren’t my photos turning out like theirs”. Find your own style and just go for it! You won’t be everyone's style, but that’s okay! There is plenty of business to go around and if we were all the same it would be boring. Also collaboration over competition!
Have any of your own photography tips? Comment below!
XOXO, Jayna