Professional Interior Photography:
What is it & Why is it important to get it right?
Why use a professional interior photographer for your interiors?
Creating good interior photography requires a range of skills and techniques. These include composition, lighting, camera skills, post-processing, attention to detail, creativity, patience, and communication. By mastering these skills, the Upix photographers create high-quality interior images that showcase your property in the best way possible.
Of course, the amount of work involved relates directly to the state of the interior location being photographed. A newly refurbished space with clean, undamaged contents is a lot easier to capture than a room that has long since seen a paintbrush and any form of TLC! However, this is all part of the challenge relished by an experienced interior photographer - and really highlights the skills needed to ensure a space is presented in the very best light, regardless of condition. That’s not to say the property owner isn’t responsible for the presentation of their rooms, just that a skilled interior photographer can often help to compensate for any shortcomings by carefully choosing the correct angle, composition and lighting, to maximise the room’s plus points.
The Upix team has 20 years experience in interior and design photography. From the tiniest of spaces - like a yacht bathroom! - to huge entertainment venues, the Upix interior photographer skills have proven time and again to be invaluable to our clients. It’s why they come back time after time. Here are some of the key skills that are essential for producing high-quality interior photography:
Composition:
One of the most important skills in interior photography is the ability to compose an image properly. This involves choosing the right angle, framing the shot, and choosing the right focal length to capture the desired look and feel of the interior space. (Top tip #1: never trust a photographer who plonks down their camera anywhere and says “This’ll do”!)
Lighting:
Good lighting is essential for creating high-quality interior photos. This involves understanding how to use a mixture of natural and artificial light to create the desired mood and highlight the best features of the interior space.
Camera skills:
It sounds obvious, but a good interior photographer really does need a good understanding of their camera and how to use it effectively. This includes knowing how to use the different settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, to control the exposure and create the desired look and feel of the image. (Top tip #2: a real pro interior photographer will never present you with interior shots that don’t have upright vertical lines - unless of course, you’ve asked for otherwise!)
Post-production:
Once the interiors shoot is completed, the photos need to be processed. This usually involves using editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, to make any required adjustments, or to create a specific look and feel to the images. (Top tip #3: a professional photographer today is probably as talented an editor as they are an image creator, so bear that in mind when assessing the cost of your interior photography project.)
Attention to detail:
Creating good interior photography requires a high level of attention to detail. This involves taking the time to carefully compose each shot and make sure that all of the elements in the frame are arranged in a visually pleasing way. Sometimes, it might require rearranging furniture, or specific items within the space, to show them off in their best light. In fact, you’d be surprised at the amount of behind-the-scenes work that goes on during an interior photo shoot. The Upix team always goes the extra mile to make sure the space looks its best, including steaming the bedding/curtains/etc and dusting/removing smudges on shiny surfaces. We’ve even been known to bring a sofa in through a window when it was too big for the door - we didn’t film it, but it's the room at the top of this blog post!
Creativity:
To create truly stunning interior photography, you need to be creative and think outside the box. This involves finding new and interesting ways to showcase the interior space and highlight its best features. The Upix team excels at this, often creating ambient light and atmosphere changes that make an extraordinary transformation to a space. Some great examples can be seen on our Interior Photography website page.
Patience:
Creating good interior photography can be a time-consuming process, and requires a high level of patience. Taking the time to set up each shot and make sure that everything is just right before taking the photograph is vital. It might also involve choosing the correct time of day (or night) for the optimum look and feel of the space, and planning the shoot accordingly.
Communication:
The Upix team believes this is one of the most crucial aspects of any photography project. Good communication skills are essential and the ability to listen to your client is paramount. Sometimes the client will have a specific idea in mind for the look and feel of their interiors, and it’s important to understand their needs and preferences. More often, the client doesn’t know what they want - that’s why they come to us for help and inspiration. We love working with our clients to create the desired look and feel for the images, and seeing the amazing results is the icing on the cake!