Preparing for your interiors photoshoot
When you’ve spent months designing and delivering a beautifully considered interior – shaping layouts, selecting materials, refining lighting and perfecting the finer details – you’ll want photography that truly does your work justice. A little thoughtful planning before your photoshoot can turn an already stunning space into something that really resonates with your ideal clients. Images that go beyond simply documenting a room or a house, but shows them a lifestyle and the story behind the design
I’m not an interior designer or stylist, but I know what works in interiors photography. Whether the images are for your website portfolio, social media or a magazine, here are some practical tips to help you on your way to top-notch photos of your completed project.
Why an interiors photoshoot?
Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, let’s just talk a bit about why people use professional interiors photographers.
If you’re an interior designer professional photographs will show your work at its best, expertly capturing the beauty and design elements of the space you’ve created. High quality photographs are also essential if you are aiming to get your work featured in magazines.
Premium construction companies and high end bathroom and kitchen designers and fitters need top quality images to show off their completed projects and the quality of their workmanship.
Whatever the photos are for, here are some simple things you can do to get the space ready for a professional interiors photoshoot.
Make sure it’s clean…
This is crucial. It may sound obvious, but you’d be amazed at how much I use my micro-fibre cloth in interiors shoots, particularly in bathrooms!
A bathroom mirror or shower screen may look clean to you, but the camera often picks up smears and streaks on shiny surfaces glass so make sure you check it from all angles. So taps and mirrors polished, floors cleaned and all surfaces dusted. And don’t forget to put the lid down!
Glazing is often an important part of premium kitchen design so clean the windows and sky lights too and make sure there are no smears on the bifold doors looking out into the garden. And if your photos are likely to include external shots, sweep the path/patio, tidy up overgrown/dead plants and polish any front door furniture.
…and tidy!
The aim is to completely strip back everyday clutter to keep the focus on the design and the lifestyle aspiration.
Get rid of any unnecessary and personal items from worktops, tables and shelves, so that means no paperwork, pens, chargers etc. or a fridge door covered in kids fingerpainting!
A bespoke kitchen should look seamless, and concealing functional elements such as bins, pet bowls and dish racks reduces the visual noise and allows the design and feel to shine through. Kitchen islands should be mostly clear to showcase the worktops and craftmanship, and in a bathroom make sure you remove the practical stuff like toilet cleaner, razors and kids toys.
Tidy and clean the insides of any storage areas which are a design feature and likely to be photographed open, such as spice drawers, pantry areas and walk-in wardrobes.
If you’re anything like me bookshelves tend to be a bit of a dumping ground for anything that doesn’t have a natural home. Remove that stuff and return the shelves to their former glory. Nicely arranged shelves will create a sense of order and contribute to a more streamlined look.
Again, this probably goes without saying, but make sure all beds are neatly made with co-ordinating bedding and cushions, and plump up those pillows (this goes for sofa cushions too!).
Be aware that some of the inside photos may include views to the outside, so have a look out of your windows and move any possible background distractions that may be visible from inside.
Especially things like kids toys, dead plants and dustbins!
If you’re preparing your house for estate agent photos, you don’t need to go overboard with clearing all your stuff, but temporarily removing personal things will help potential buyers visualise the space as their own.
Removing the clutter will also help make the space look bigger.
Maximise light
Good natural light is an interiors photographer’s best friend, so maximise it wherever possible.
Clean the windows, open the blinds and use curtain tie-backs to let in as much light as possible. Remove or reposition any furniture or large items that may block the window light.
Direct sunlight can be challenging for interiors photography. If you know there is likely to be sun streaming into a room sheer curtains can control and soften the light, and angled blinds can help to direct it.
TOP TIP: Interior photographers will often turn wall lights or lamps on to create a more warm and ambient feel to the photos. So make sure all the lamps are working and try to use bulbs with a consistent colour temperature for a more cohesive look.
Styling and props
A well-styled space looks infinitely more inviting and this is where interior designers and professional stylists come into their own. But if that isn’t you, don’t panic! There are some small things you can do to enhance the space.
First of all, consider the room’s purpose and feel. If it’s a sleek modern kitchen then make sure any accessories are also sleek and modern. A tranquil bathroom will benefit from some well-placed candles or stylish toiletries (but make sure the Domestos and bath toys are out of sight!)
To improve the overall look of a room add small stylish details like a folded throw on the sofa or a bowl of fresh fruit on the dining table or kitchen island. Fresh flowers or plants in key areas like the dining room or living room add a pop of colour and can create a more inviting atmosphere.
Remember we’re aiming to enhance the space, not distract from it.
Avoiding clutter but adding a human touch to bring warmth to the space.
And finally… don’t make it too perfect!
Not everything has to be neatly arranged. Having a few things in the room to make it look ‘lived in’ will create a more authentic and interesting photo.
These are just some things you can do to enhance your home, or a specific room, for an interior photoshoot. With a little bit of thoughtful arranging and attention to detail you’re well on your way to top-notch photos that showcase the space at its absolute best.
And be prepared for your interiors photographer to move things around a bit to create the most visually appealing setup.
I work with interior designers, building companies and property developers who want to showcase their stunning creations on their website and social media. Here’s what one interior designer said about working with me…
“I used Michelle’s services to take some photos of an interior design project I completed and I am thrilled with the results!”
Anna Patten – Interior Designer, Sevenoaks
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