How To Take Great Interior Photos
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If you work in the real estate, interior design, or architecture industries, you know the impact great photos can have on potential customers. Use these tips to take your interior photography to the next level and see the results in the success of your business!
Set Design Matters
Photography is only as good as its subject! You need to do quite a bit of work before you even break out the camera. Make sure the space you are going to shoot has been cleaned and dressed properly. You may have the basic layout, but think about accents like pillows, plants, and other small items that share a story. Also, think about removing personal items that have too much personality. The viewer should be able to imagine themselves in the space.
Use A Tripod
Blur takes your credibility down a notch. If you want to look professional, you need a tripod to stabilize your shot. Even if you are on a budget and decide to shoot with your phone, a $10 mobile tripod will work wonders for your interior photography output! You want the best image possible and that has to come from the source, not the post production editing.
Let's Talk Lighting
Light is mood. When you plan your shoot, think about the message you are trying to convey through the images. Are you looking to showcase a bright and airy second floor bedroom or are you shooting a sultry living room with a wood burning stove? These questions matter because your lighting is what will tell your photographic story. Think about shooting in the middle of the day to keep spaces looking open and high energy. Shoot at night for romantic and serious vibes. Don't be afraid to move lamps around or add additional lighting when an area of the image looks too dark. You want to shoot for an evenly lit photograph, no matter the lighting scenario.
Wide Angles
Without getting too technical, you're going to want a camera that has a wide angle lens capability. This means the perspective inside the camera is fairly wide, giving you the full room depiction that you want. If you shoot with narrower lenses, you'll find interior photography very difficult because you'll be missing the whole picture. This is really an essential when it comes to getting the money shot.
Move Around
Most people's immediate assumption is to stand at their natural height, holding the camera up to their face and snapping a photo. This is an ineffective way to shoot an interior. Trying crouching down or standing on something for a different perspective. You also want to make it to all four corners of the room for a shot, and be mindful to position yourself in doorways or to highlight other grand features of the room. When you keep it moving, reviewing your photos will give you options that you'll need in the editing process. You won't know the right shot until you've seen 6 others and decide, yeah, I LOVE this one.
Hope these tips and tricks help you the next time you gear up to shoot an interior room or exterior building. Shooting real estate should be fun and interesting, and with these insights you'll be able to get the shot that will set your work apart from the rest!