When to Book an Interior Photographer and Tips for Photographing Interiors Until Then
You know that feeling when you finish a project and think, “I wish I had this photographed properly”? Yeah, you’re not the only one! As a Houston interior photographer, I’ve heard it again and again from designers who regret not booking sooner. But here’s what I want you to know: photographing interiors doesn’t have to wait until you’ve completed an entire home or pulled off a once-in-a-career reno. Sometimes, the best time to photograph a space is when it reflects who you are as a designer—when it feels like you.
This post isn’t about pressure, it’s about possibility! It’s about showing you how to document your designs well, even before you’re ready to book a full shoot. We’re going to talk about when to bring in a professional, and a few phone photo tips that can hold you over until then.
Interior Design Photoshoot for Double L Interiors.
When Is the Right Time to Start Photographing Interiors Professionally?
There’s this idea floating around that interior shoots have to be huge or perfectly polished. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Some of the most compelling projects I’ve photographed were intimate, deeply intentional single-room spaces that just felt like the designer behind them. So let’s talk about when it makes sense to bring someone like me in:
1. When it’s a project you’re proud of and want more like it.
You know that moment when you walk through a finished room and think, this is the kind of work I want to do more of? That’s the moment to book. Photographing interiors that reflect your dream client and personal design style is one of the best ways to attract more of what you love. Don’t wait for a magazine feature or full reno. Start where your heart is.
Interior Design Photoshoot for Double L Interiors.
2. When you’ve got a few small spaces wrapped up.
You don’t need a whole-house project to make a shoot worthwhile. In fact, many of my clients pull together a couple of smaller finished spaces, like a vibrant kitchen here, a beautifully layered powder room there, and we turn it into a half-day or full-day shoot. It’s efficient, strategic, and gives you variety for your portfolio and online presence. (Plus, more images for your audience to fall in love with.)
Interior Design Photoshoot for Callie Blanks Interior.
3. When you’re ready to start putting your work out there.
Dreaming of being featured? Want to elevate your brand visuals? High-quality images are key to getting your work published or gaining traction on social media. Photographing interiors in a way that reflects your brand voice, your intention, and your style can make all the difference.
But if you’re not quite ready yet? That’s okay, too. You can still document your work in meaningful ways with what you have!
Interior Design Photoshoot for Marian Louise Designs.
3 Tips for Photographing Interiors with Your Phone (Before You Hire a Pro)
Let’s be honest, your phone is a powerful tool. With a few intentional tweaks, it can help you bridge the gap until it’s time to book a full shoot. Here are some tips I always share with my designer clients:
1. Use a small tripod and straighten your lines.
This one’s a game-changer. Crooked lines are one of the easiest giveaways of an amateur shot. A small tripod keeps your camera stable and helps you line everything up—horizontal lines, vertical frames, and that sense of symmetry we all love. It makes your work look instantly more polished.
Interior Design Photoshoot for Double L Interiors.
2. Try portrait mode for those close-up details.
Want to highlight brass hardware, handpicked art, or a special texture? Use portrait mode. It mimics that soft background blur (bokeh) we get with a professional camera and puts the focus right where it belongs. Detail shots are such a great way to show the soul of a space.
Interior Design Photoshoot for Emily June Designs.
3. Turn off those overhead lights.
This one feels counterintuitive, but trust me: artificial lights often throw off the color balance, create weird shadows, or cause blown highlights. If you can, stick to natural light. Open the blinds. Time your photos for midday. Photographing interiors in natural light usually captures the space as it’s meant to be experienced—warm, true, and inviting.
Interior Design Photoshoot for Sarah Becker Design.
Bonus: Try cinematic mode for video.
Video isn’t just for influencers. A simple, smooth video of your space can show layout, light, and movement in a way that still images sometimes can’t. Keep those lines straight, use a gimbal or steady hand, and let the space breathe through motion.
Why Photographing Interiors Matters, Even in the Small Moments
Design is personal. And the way you share it should be too! Every detail you choose, every layout you reimagine, every color palette you fall in love with, it’s all part of your story as a designer. Photographing interiors isn’t just about visuals. It’s about emotion. It’s about showing your audience what matters to you!
Even if you’re using your phone for now, you’re telling a story. You’re creating connection. And when you’re ready to take it deeper, to really let your work sing, I’ll be here with the camera, the vision, and the perspective to make it happen.
Houston Interior Photographer | Ellen Renee Photography
If you’ve got a space you love, or even a few quiet corners that speak to who you are as a designer, let’s connect. We can turn those moments into imagery that resonates. Photographing interiors is what I do best, and I’d be honored to help you share your work with the world in a way that feels as personal and powerful as the designs themselves.
Check out more of my work on Pinterest!
Check out more of my blog to help with your interior photography shoot!
How to Photograph Interior Spaces Across Multiple Locations
The Power of Lighting for Interior Photography: Why Natural Light Isn’t Always Enough
