If you’re at the helm of a successful design studio, you already know that design is only half the job. The other half is about effectively marketing your client projects—before, during, and after the process. Whether you’re shooting portfolio images for your website or for submission to publications, the importance of professional photography cannot be overstated. That being said, there’s also a time and place to shoot interiors on your phone for social content on Instagram Stories, TikTok, and more.
We’ve invited one of our go-to photographers, Madeline Harper, to share her expertise on capturing beautiful photos that reflect the quality of your brand.
Photography: Madeline Harper
HOW TO SHOOT INTERIORS ON YOUR PHONE
Use Natural Light Sources
Rule of thumb: when you shoot interiors on your phone, the more natural light, the better! Most phones these days are amazing and have the option for a shutter speed longer than a second or two. So, even if you’re shooting a darker room, you can capture it pretty well. Using a longer shutter speed is best when using a tripod or with your hand resting on a stable surface to prevent any blurriness.
Photography: Madeline Harper
Incorporate Accessories
Greenery always gives a breath of fresh air. Also, make sure to keep away from your client’s personal family photos and lean more towards art pieces. I love styling with mixed textures, stacked books, and unique pieces of furniture.
Consider Time of Day
Truth be told, there isn’t one best time of day to shoot interiors. It depends the way the home is sited, and whether your prefer even lighting or some natural light pockets and shadows. I usually recommend even light if you want textures and finishing touches to shine. However, shadows and light streaks can add drama, dimension, and uniqueness if you have an unfilled space. It's fun to use to set a moody tone, but the majority of your photos should be light and clear enough to show off your work.
Photography: Madeline Harper
Start Shooting + Try Out Multiple Angles
When you’re ready to shoot interiors on your phone, think about the after shots you’ll want and try to replicate them with the before shots. Nothing is more fun and effective than a “swipe to see” post. For progress photos, I typically love seeing a close-up of material samples or a straight-on room shot to show the scope of work. You also can’t go wrong with beautiful vignettes that speak to the quality of your work!
Once you’re ready to get started follow these three steps:
Lower your camera. It keeps the focal point of any room more squared off and resembles the room from a seated position.
Square off your shot. Use the grid lines on your camera to make sure your photo is straight, both vertically and horizontally.
Shoot underexposed versus overexposed. If you overexpose your images while shooting (when there is too much light and it’s washed out), it’s not possible to edit that in post. However, an underexposed image will maintain all its details as it is edited.
More to Read: What You Need to Know When Working With a Photographer
Invest in Quality Editing Tools
Now that you’ve got the perfect shot, it’s time to edit, and for that, we recommend using the Lightroom App, which can easily be downloaded on any smart phone. With the rise of Instagram Stories and other, less formal, forms of social media, photo editing apps like this one help bridge the gap between professional photography and phone photos.
We can’t wait to see how these tips help elevate your phone photos across social media. Be sure to tag us with #IDCOatHome for a chance to be featured here on the blog.