The Most Commonly Asked Questions about Photography for Interior Design

Are you planning on booking an interior design photography shoot but have questions you want answered beforehand? As a Houston Texas photographer who works with interior designers, I’ve come across a lot of different questions from multiple of my clients so I thought I would help you answer them and become prepared for your interior design photography shoot in advance, with my blog on the most commonly asked questions about photography for interior design! Keep in mind every interior design photographer has their own style of shooting and services, but this will help you get the ball rolling especially if you decide to book with me!  

When is the best time to shoot photography for interior design?  

I love to use natural lighting as much as possible so shooting mid-day when the sun is the highest is best. This is because this is when the light is most even and does not cause uneven, unpleasant shadows. Although, for all-day shoots, we determine where to start shooting based on if the rooms are facing East or West to avoid direct light coming through the windows as much as possible! Knowing when the best time to shoot is important as you want to capture your interior design projects in the best lighting possible! 

Are styling and staging necessary for interior design?  

Styling and staging for interior design is a matter of opinion and is really determined by how you want the space viewed! If the design in the space is very simple, styling can really help showcase the use of the space. However, if the design in the space is very abstract or busy on its own, then styling with props that are not part of the design might be lost because the viewer’s eye is already busy taking in all the elements of the space. It’s all in the details! 

What do I need to do before the shoot? 

One of the most important tasks you should do before an interior design photography shoot is to simply clean the spaces that will be photographed! Dust and wipe everything down, vacuum, sweep, and remove any clutter that does not help tell the story of your design. 

PRO TIP: Turn off all the lights and try to hide all the lighting cords! Believe it or not, one of the most forgotten tasks is turning off all the lights and hiding those pesky cords. Many interior design photographers like myself try to shoot as much as possible with natural light which is usually more blue light. But by leaving lamps on it can cast a weird warm color around the room which causes competing casts of warm and cool color, which isn’t ideal. 

How long will the shoot last? 

There are so many variables when determining this answer. From the end use of the photos, several rooms to be photographed, to shooting tethered so that you can see the images before capturing the shot. These all play an important role in determining the answer to how long the shoot will last. This is because there are so many variables. I personally shoot on an hourly basis with a discounted hourly rate for half-day and full-day shoots! We establish a good estimated amount of time before the shoot after discussing what we will be capturing, and the invoice is then adjusted accordingly after the actual shoot.

How much editing do you do? I don’t really care for images that look over-edited or like those hdr real estate photos. 

I get asked this question a lot by interior designers who are looking for a specific editing style. My answer is always…GOOD!! Me neither!! I edit all of the photos that are delivered but my style is to only accentuate the feeling of the room without oversaturating the colors or making everything look plastic or fake! Although, I do try to remove any wall outlets, light switches, canned lighting, ac vents, smoke detectors, etc. when editing for a clean photo that draws your eye to the design of the space! 

I hope this blog has helped you become prepared for your interior design photography shoot and helped answer any questions about photography for interior design! 

If so, and you are ready to book your own interior design photography shoot with a Houston Texas photographer contact me through my website to see my ​​services! I can’t wait to hear from you! 
Want to see more of my interior design photography? Check out my blog on “Why Professional Interior Photography is Important for Interior Designers”.