12 Tips to Take Stunning Interior Design Photos

Learn 12 tips from an expert photographer on how to take stunning interior design photos! Get advice on equipment preparation & post processing techniques.

12 Tips to Take Stunning Interior Design Photos

Most interchangeable lens cameras manufactured in the last five years will provide sufficient resolution and functions for most indoor photography. If you want to take pictures of high-end commercial interiors or have a lot of money, a medium format camera is a better option (but only if you really have the money or work with important clients). If you have a good quality lens, any modern full-frame DSLR or mirrorless system will do an impressive job of taking stunning interior photos. As for the choice of lens, most indoor photographs are covered with wide-angle lenses.

At the ends, there are fisheye lenses, with focal lengths that reach up to 50 mm and 70 mm for tighter shots. On the surface, lenses with the widest angle provide the most coverage, but they can also make straight lines appear distorted. Therefore, it's a good juggling act with the choice of focal length, depending on the space. But the other consideration is choosing between a zoom or a fixed lens.

Zooms will give you the most flexibility, but fixed lenses will give you that extra touch of sharpness and character. While artificial lights can be used, illuminating an entire interior space with this method involves a whole series of challenges. In short, use natural lighting whenever possible to avoid unwanted shadows, color tones, and a lot of unwanted post-processing time. Cloudy days create the softest lighting, especially with lots of windows in a scene.

Daylight creates a natural sensation in the environment and, when properly exposed, does not require even an hour close to the configuration, as is the case with artificial lighting. Recessed or incidental lights can add a certain ambience to a scene, but then you'll have to correct for different color temperatures, put brackets between the exposures, and possibly make some local adjustments during post-processing.You may be able to photograph the most beautiful interior space you can imagine, but how that space is captured is just as important. This is where all the basic concepts of composition come into play, such as the rule of thirds, the main lines, the elements of the foreground, the center and the background, depth and negative space. What are the most important elements of space? Are there any distracting elements in the scene? When in doubt, remove that particular object or change its position until you're happy with the overall composition.

You can also add elements such as flowers to add a touch of color here and there. Patches of color added to a scene can draw attention to a particularly important element.If you're taking normal real estate images, then an ultra-wide-angle or fisheye lens may be sufficient. But to show interior design at its best, the focal length cannot be too wide. Generally speaking, a focal length greater than 24 mm will start to introduce distorted straight lines, which will increase post-processing time.

If space permits, a 35mm or even 50mm lens can provide sufficient width while minimizing lens distortion.These focal lengths are also good for taking close-ups of relevant elements in the room. An easy way to check the ideal focal lengths and composition is to consult some top-class magazines or websites that offer high-end interior images. Check if the chosen focal lengths match your favorite images and their compositions. Planning and communication with your customer are paramount.Document what the customer wants from the final image, any adjustments that need to be made, and the elements that need to be added to or removed from the scene.

A prior visit to the site is also a good idea, noting the orientation of the building, the light from the window and noting any problems. A visit to the venue before the session will also inform you of the focal length of the lenses needed. Draw a small diagram of the room layout with the key positions of the camera to make the most of natural lighting.Prepare all your equipment and charge your batteries the day before, with spare parts available. However, there are a few things you can do to ensure that your interior design photos look their best.

Whether you're a small business owner trying to take new photos for your marketing materials or if you're a photographer looking to carve a foothold in this world, I'm going to share 12 tips that I've learned during my decades of career to take interior design photographs that really leave a mark. What is success? In 1994, before mobile phones and before Internet use was adopted widely, I graduated from art school as a drifter without direction. According to designer Joelle Nesen there are no rules when it comes to interior design but everyone can use some tips and tricks. We spoke with Nesen founder of Portland based firm Maison and Jenny Guggenheim from Guggenheim Architecture and Design Studio to learn their ideas about interior design process.

Practice these interior photography tips until you're comfortable with whole process and adjust and add your own tips and tricks as you see fit then focus on customer relationships and improving your photography skills with real indoor sessions. Interior design photography has many points to consider but once you've done process several times you'll begin develop vision of what works and what doesn't. Interior design is about creating space that looks and feels good and natural light will help show this work in best possible way. Shutter speed and ISO settings are also important considerations in low light environments as is typical in indoor photography.

I have decades of experience in photography and have been hired around world for range of drone hotel architectural and resort photography. Don't go too far: in real estate photography it's best show size of space through spectacular panoramic shots but with interior photography everything depends on design. Each interior has its own unique characteristics so it's important pay attention details like furniture placement wall art colors textures etc. When shooting indoors try capture all these details without losing sight big picture.

Successful interior design photography requires knowledge skill practice patience planning communication customer relationships understanding light equipment preparation post processing techniques composition rules etc. With these tips tricks knowledge skill practice patience planning communication customer relationships understanding light equipment preparation post processing techniques composition rules etc. You'll be able take stunning interior design photos that leave lasting impression.

Brielle Gagné
Brielle Gagné

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