Preparing for an interior design photoshoot

Preparing thoroughly for a photoshoot will ensure we are able to make the most of the time available on the day of the shoot. I like to be as prepared as possible for each project, firstly making sure I understand my clients brief and the images intended use. I like to find out as much as possible about the property, number of rooms, the weather and if we need to worry about direct sunlight at certain times of day. All these factors help me decide how to approach each job and the equipment I’ll use. There are however, things you can do as my client to help prepare a property for a shoot.

Here is my suggested pre photoshoot check list:

Choosing a date

I’d recommend asking the property owner if it can be photographed when the property is vacant and the homeowner is away. Shoot days are always busy and from experience homeowners quite often want to get involved which slows everything down. It’s not the end of the world if they are there but it’s an added layer on the day.
It can be tricky to pick a date that suits everyone and I am always happy to pencil in a couple of days which you can offer your client.

Managing client expectations

From experience I think it’s good practice to let the homeowner know how a shoot normally goes, especially if they are going to be there on the day. Most people underestimate how long a shoot will take and are surprised when it is still going on at 4pm in the afternoon when perhaps they thought if would be done by lunch.
Letting your clients know their furniture may be moved around but that we will take images of a room before it is worked on to make sure it can be returned to it’s original state.
Check that they are happy with personal items being in photographs. They may wish to have photographs removed or certain artwork omitted.

Book a stylist, or an assistant

As an interior designer you obviously have an eye for visual design. There is however an art to styling a space for photography and a stylist can help with this. They are also used to the mechanics of a shoot and can help setting up the next shot as well as putting a space back to how it was after each room is finished.

Props and accessories

The obvious flowers, house plants, books and magazines all help on the day. Is there is anything the client decided not to purchase but you would like in the images? Perhaps you had a rug in mind for the space or a picture they decided not to go with. As well as looking good in the images, I’ve seen many a rug be sold on the shoot day when the client sees it in situ.
Having additional cushions, fresh towels, bath mats, throws or bedding just gives you more options on the day.
If the homeowner does not have suitable towels and bath mats bring one of each.

Preparing the house

Most homeowners are house proud and will obviously want their house to look great for a shoot so most of the houses I visit are clean and ready to go.
If you feel the house will need some de-cluttering, it may be worth visiting the property the day before or arriving before the shoot starts.

Think about the shot list

Are there any specific shots you want to make sure we get on the day? Do you have an image on your phone you want to recreate?
The first thing we will do on the day of the shoot is a walkthrough of the rooms we are shooting and decide on a rough shot list and the order to shoot the rooms in.