A Guide to Get You Prepared for Your Interior Photoshoot

Previously, we discussed the importance of having professional photos of your work. So you’ve hired a photographer, now it’s time to dive into the next step – PHOTOSHOOT!

Preparing for any type of photoshoot can be exhausting. Everything has to be in place and complete before the photographer arrives.

Before you begin, make sure you discuss with your photographer what kind of photos you want. Here are few sample questions that may help you decide:

• Do you want a day time shoot or do you prefer a specific timeslot, like twilight shots?
• Do you want to emphasise on details such as specific shapes, texture and colour?
• Do you want to highlight specific areas of a room?
• Do you want to focus on a particular feature or function within the space?

These will also help the photographer prepare for the shoot so that they can come prepared with the appropriate gear.

With all those considered, clients need to prepare for the shoot too. Here’s a list of the things you and the property owner will need to keep in mind before the day of the photoshoot.

Shot List

Photo Credit: Green Chameleon on Unsplash

A shot list is a document or a checklist of the images you and the photographer want to capture during the photoshoot. It includes specific shots, camera angles and other references so there’s nothing to be missed out on the day. It is very important to have it so the photographer knows what to do and where to go next. It saves time for you and the photographer, and ensures that everything you need will be captured accordingly.

This is usually prepared and agreed upon between the client and the photography prior to the photoshoot date.

Clean Up!

Photo Credit: Volha Flaxeco on Unsplash

The interior should be clean and clear of all visible dust and dirt. Make the beds with new, matching sheets. Give the window a quick dust and wipe. A golden rule is: everything that you can see, the camera will also see. If you think those fingerprints on the rangehood probably won’t even get picked up by the camera, chances are they probably will be the first thing you notice in the photo.

If the exterior facade of the home is part of the shot list, make sure that leaves are swept, cars and garbage bins are out of the way. 

The goal is to capture your home in its best light.

Less Is More

Do a walk through of the whole place and make sure everything is tidy and as aesthetically pleasing as possible. Remove unnecessary items that make the space cluttered such as used kitchen utensils, pieces of paper, tissues, bottles, gadgets and other electronic devices. If it’s distracting and irrelevant to the whole design of the space, remove it.

Pay attention to the small things too. For example you may want to move the magnets on the fridge away as they can distract the audience from the overall design and make the space look untidy.

Let The Light In

Lighting is essential in photography. Open all curtains and blinds to let as much natural light in as possible, as sunlight is the best to show off colours in their original shades and creates soft, natural shadows throughout to make the image more inviting and welcoming. 

If your space is dark, or if you have a feature light piece (such as a chandelier), then we will need to rely on the home’s lighting, so make sure all lightbulbs are working and are matching in colour and brightness.

Pets In Photoshoots

The presence of pets can liven up an image, but this may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If the home owner has a pet, you can have them around if you don’t mind showing them in some images, as long as they are well behaved and do not become a hazard to the photographer while they are working. If you prefer having no animals shown, you may need to coordinate with the home owner to take them out or hide them in a space that doesn’t require photography for the duration of the photoshoot. 

Plan B

Photo Credit: mk. s on Unsplash

Unfortunately, photography can be weather-dependent, so be prepared for reschedules if the weather is extremely gloomy. The photographer will always do their best to avoid reschedules, but has to weigh it against the outcome of the images if they are taken in adverse weather conditions which can make them look dark and dull. At the end of the day, you’d want all your hard work to be captured in the best way possible!

Planning and preparing ahead, making sure all items in the checklist are done and having a trusting partnership with a collaborative photographer are all important factors for achieving the outcomes you desire. Fantastic photography leads to fantastic clients! ✨

Find out more about interior photography with DOMIN8 Marketing. Speak to us.