Top 10 Tips for Interior Design Photography: A Beginners Guide to Getting Started
Are you interested in stepping into the world of interior design photography? Whether you’re an interior designer wanting to capture your own work, an aspiring hospitality photographer, a real estate photographer expanding into a new niche, or someone starting a new hobby or business in architectural and interior design photography, these tips will help you create stunning images.
1: Keep Your Vertical Lines Straight (And Horizontals Too)
One of the foundational rules of interior design photography is ensuring your vertical lines are perfectly straight. Misaligned verticals can distort your photo and make the space feel off-kilter. If you're shooting directly at a wall, pay attention to the horizontal lines too. Minor misalignments can introduce unwanted tension. An exception is when photographing tabletop décor, where a higher or downward angle may enhance the composition.
This image is taken at an angle so only the vertical lines need to be perfectly straight.
This image is taken straight on so both the horizontal and vertical lines need to be straight.
2: Use a Tripod
(Even With Your Phone)
A tripod is a must-have tool for interiors photography. Even a cheap one will help maintain consistent composition and prevent camera shake. Using your camera's 2-second timer can further reduce camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button, ensuring sharper images. Interior spaces often lack optimal lighting, and shooting in manual mode may require longer exposures—something that’s impossible to achieve handheld. As you advance in architectural photography, you may begin blending multiple exposures, and a tripod will be essential for aligning the shots.
3: Avoid Going Too Wide
When it comes to interior design photography, it’s tempting to use the widest lens or the ".5" setting on your iPhone, but this can actually work against you. Wide-angle lenses can easily distort the foreground of the image, making things look unnatural and exaggerated. Interior design focuses on the details as much as the overall space, and shooting too wide can minimize these important elements.
Notice the difference in the size of the stools and pendants, This is caused by shooting with a wide-angle lens with the foreground too close to the camera.
If you want to learn more about selecting the right focal length,
check out my other blog post linked below.
Image photographed at a natural viewing height if sitting in a chair.
4: Keep Your Camera at a Natural Height
A great tip for interior photography is to shoot the space from a natural viewing height. In a living room, that might mean positioning the camera a couple of feet above the couch cushions, as if you’re sitting in the room. In a kitchen, you’d want the camera just below eye level for someone standing. Shooting from too high or too low can reveal parts of the design not meant to be seen, like the tops of bookshelves or the underside of kitchen cabinets.
The next three tips focus on lighting, which is the second most important element in a photo, right after the subject itself.
5: Avoid Mixing Different Colors of Light
Try to keep your lighting consistent by using just one type of light source. Natural light is often the best option for interiors, as it provides a clean, even look. However, if you want to showcase the space’s interior lighting, consider shooting at twilight or night to avoid the clash between daylight and indoor lighting. This is also a common technique in architectural photography to highlight both natural and artificial light elements.
Check out this blog for more info on natural light vs artificial light.
All 6 of these colors are from different parts of the wall that are all painted the same color. The mixture of yellow tungsten lighting and natural day light are causing the color issues here.
6: Wait for the Best Light
Patience is key. Unlike real estate photography, where time is often limited, you have the freedom to wait for the perfect light. Some spaces benefit from the warm glow of early morning or late afternoon sunlight, while others might look better in softer, diffused light. Shooting interiors at twilight can also create a dramatic and inviting atmosphere.
7: Avoid Flat Lighting—Opt for Cross Light
Flat lighting can reduce the depth of your photos, a common issue in interior design photography. When the light source is directly behind the camera, it can make the space appear flat and one-dimensional. Instead, aim for cross lighting, where light enters from the side, adding depth and dimension to create a more dynamic and three-dimensional effect. You can achieve this by adjusting window coverings, timing your shot for optimal natural light, or using off-camera flash. As a beginner, it's best to avoid backlit scenes. While backlighting can create dramatic effects, it often introduces too much contrast and haze, making it difficult to control.
8: Don’t Forget Styling
Attention to detail is crucial in interior design photography. Before taking the shot, fluff pillows, straighten curtains, and remove clutter, but also consider adding a personal touch. Elements like an open book on the coffee table or a cup of coffee on the counter can bring the room to life. Styling makes a big difference in interior photography, as it helps convey the atmosphere and purpose of the space.
9: Edit, But Don’t Overdo It
Editing is an important part of interiors photography, but be careful not to go overboard. Start by lowering the highlights to balance the exposure and doing some color correction with the warmth slider. You can also straighten any crooked vertical lines with most editing software, including the built-in software on most phones. For professional photographers, shooting in RAW will give you more control during the editing process. Programs like Adobe Lightroom and Capture One are ideal for interior design photography.
10: Use the Rule of Thirds and Other Compositional Techniques
This last tip is a bit more advanced but also where the fun really starts. Spend some time looking up and trying different photography composition techniques. One of the most popular is the Rule of Thirds, where you position the subject along grid lines that divide the image into thirds to create a balanced composition. Many cameras have the option to display a Rule of Thirds grid on the screen—use it! Other techniques like leading lines, negative space, and framing can also add interest and guide the viewer’s eye. Mastering composition is a fundamental part of becoming a skilled interior design or architectural photographer.
Bonus tip!
Help your client set you up for success by properly preparing for the shoot. Send them the article linked below.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering interior design photography. Whether you’re an aspiring hospitality photographer capturing the inviting ambiance of a boutique hotel or showcasing the architectural brilliance of a modern mansion, attention to detail and a solid understanding of lighting and composition will elevate your work. For more tips and in-depth guides, check out my other blog posts.
Comment below if you have any questions or want me to cover any other topics!
