The Art of Photographing Color: How to Make Bold Palettes Shine on Camera for Your Interior Design Projects
When you’re designing with bold colors, you’re making a statement. Whether it’s deep navy cabinetry, rich terracotta tile, or a chartreuse velvet chair that makes you gasp a little inside (in the best way), photographing color is about honoring those brave choices and making sure they translate with the same impact onscreen as they do in person.
As a Houston interior photographer, I get so many questions about how to make bold interior design work in photos, and honestly, it’s one of my favorite challenges. There’s something incredibly rewarding about doing justice to your color story and preserving the emotion of a space. So, whether you’re building your portfolio or prepping your next press submission, here’s how I approach photographing color so it sings on camera, without losing what makes it bold in the first place.
Why Photographing Color Requires More Than Just a Camera
Photographing color well takes way more than snapping the shutter. It’s about reading the room, literally. Bold interiors often come with complex lighting conditions: jewel-toned walls that can bounce weird reflections, wood tones that skew orange, or natural light that washes everything out. Knowing how to work with (or around) these variables is half the job.
That’s why I always ask for your paint colors and swatches before a shoot. If you spent 12 weeks testing greens for the kitchen island, I want to make sure the final images reflect that exact shade, not some neon cousin of it.
Lighting Is Everything When Photographing Color
Let’s talk light. Natural light can be so stunning, but it can also wash out saturated hues or create harsh contrast, especially in midday sun. When photographing bold interior design, I often supplement with my own lighting setup to keep tones consistent and accurate across the room. It’s not about flattening the space, it’s about helping your color story feel true to what you actually designed.
In one project with Double L Interiors, I photographed two boldly designed bedrooms, one drenched in a deep, terracotta red, and another layered in moody forest greens. The red bedroom had incredible texture and warmth, but the challenge was avoiding color blowout. Red is one of those tricky colors that can go neon on camera if you’re not careful. So I softened the light, adjusted my angles, and leaned into the cozy vibe without letting the walls overpower the composition.
In the green room, the palette played with depth and contrast, black window casings, gingham bedding, and velvet drapes all interacting with soft natural light. To keep the greens rich (but not muddy), I balanced ambient light with selective fill lighting and made intentional decisions on exposure and white balance. Photographing color here meant honoring the shadows just as much as the color itself. The goal? Keep the mood, keep the drama, but don’t lose the details.
Angles and Composition: Letting the Color Lead
When photographing bold interior design, my angle choices are all about showing how color moves through the space. I don’t just shoot wide and call it a day, I want to show how that burgundy bench plays off the creamy wall tone, or how your client’s art collection pulls everything together from room to room.
I often shoot tighter vignettes to highlight layered styling choices or material palettes, think rust velvet next to oxidized metal and natural linen. These close-ups help your potential clients see the level of intention you bring to color, and the unique fingerprints you leave in every project.
Styling: Editing the Scene Without Losing Personality
This is where collaborating with a photographer who gets interiors matters. When photographing color, I’m constantly adjusting accessories and styling details to help your palette feel harmonious on screen. Sometimes that means pulling a too-warm wood bowl that throws off balance, or swapping in a neutral vase to break up too much of one tone.
But it’s never about stripping away the soul of your design. I’m not here to neutralize your work. I’m here to amplify it in a way that reads clearly in your portfolio, on your website, or in your press pitch.
Editing with Intention (And No Weird Filters)
Once the shoot wraps, the work of photographing color isn’t done. I hand-edit every photo to make sure the tones feel accurate and true-to-life. That green should feel like your green, not a version distorted by someone’s Instagram preset. I keep color integrity top of mind through the entire editing process, especially when working with bold interior design that relies on emotional, immersive palettes.
Photographing Color Isn’t Just Technical, It’s Emotional
At the end of the day, bold color choices say something. They’re part of your client’s story, your design fingerprint, and the emotional tone of the home. When photographing color, I think about more than hue and saturation, I think about the feeling behind it. Was this space meant to feel energizing? Grounded? Nostalgic?
When I photographed this project for Jen Kolb Interiors, every room had a purpose, a tone. The bedroom? Soft, grounded, and calm with layered textures and quiet light filtering through the shutters.
The mudroom brought a playful tone with tone-on-tone greens and personal touches, yoga mats, woven bags, even a jar of pretzels. It was functional and full of personality. Then there was the cozy fireplace corner, deep greens, layered blues, a nostalgic painting glowing in just the right light. That space felt like a warm fall afternoon.
Color isn’t just visual, it’s emotional. And photographing Jen’s work meant honoring not just how her spaces look, but how they feel.
Book Your Houston Interior Photographer
If you’re a designer working with rich palettes and bold interiors, let’s make sure your photos show just how layered and impactful your work really is. Photographing color well isn’t just about documenting, it’s about storytelling, honoring your creative choices, and giving you images that do your work justice.
Ready to photograph your next project in a way that truly gets your palette and your process? Reach out to me and let’s talk about how I can help you build a portfolio that looks (and feels) like the work you’re proud of.
Check out more of my work on Pinterest and more blogs below to help you on your DIY journey!
How to Photograph Interior Spaces Across Multiple Locations
The Power of Lighting for Interior Photography: Why Natural Light Isn’t Always Enough
