You’ve done the hard work. You’ve created a breathtaking space for your client, and they love it. They have even agreed to let you have professional photos taken of the project so you can showcase it in your marketing, but where do you begin? What should you look for in a photographer? How do you plan for the shoot to make it a success? This blog post will show you how to do all the above and provide valuable tips and tricks.
Catrina Maxwell of CatMax Photography
Photo Credit: Lovi Blush Photography
Hiring the Right Photographer
Naturally, securing a photographer is the first task. Someone experienced with artistically photographing interiors will understand the techniques and considerations that need to be accounted for during that kind of photo shoot, which is why they should be your top choice instead of someone who only captures people or events.
Additionally, a professional photographer who specializes in interiors can not only deliver images that wow but, as is the case with CatMax Photography, may also provide added perks like media connections, stylist recommendations, and more.
Tips for Your Research:
Seek a photographer who shoots spaces with a similar style to that of the project.
Ask yourself if you like the feeling conveyed by the images in their portfolio.
Move on if the photos you see don’t appear to be high quality or aren’t well lit; These characteristics are crucial for first-rate interior photography.
Once you have a list of photographers you are strongly considering, set up consultation calls to find out more about their processes and pricing and ultimately see who is the best fit. Before you speak with them, you should have the following key information ready to share:
The kind of shoot it is (e.g., one room versus an entire house or building), what you hope to accomplish, and location information
A list of specific shots you’d like to have and details about where you’ll use the photos (e.g., If you want the project published in a magazine, you’ll want to have photos that show the entire space, each part of it, and that focus on interesting details.)
There are also some questions you’ll want to ask the photographers, including:
Can you explain your photo usage rights agreement?
What kind of editing do you include?
How long do you expect a shoot like this to last?
Will I receive the final photos in a mixture of resolutions and sizes? (You’ll need smaller lower-resolution files for the web and large high-resolution ones for printing.)
Prepped to Perfection
You’ve chosen a photographer, selected a day and time, and now you’re ready to get this photo shoot show on the road.
Next, you’ll want to have the client’s personal items removed from the areas being photographed. Then make sure the spaces are decluttered and thoroughly cleaned before the photographer arrives. There’s no hiding dust, dirt, or pet hair when a professional camera is involved! You should also bring tools like wrinkle release spray, a duster, mini vacuum, steamer, and glass cleaner with you to the shoot to handle pop-up emergencies or missed spots.
Once the space is in tip-top shape, it’s time to style it. You may think the space is already styled, but styling for a shoot means making sure items are best positioned to be photographed and incorporating those little touches that create added interest and tell a story about the room.
Designer: Kandrac & Kole
Photo Credit: CatMax Photography
Beads, blankets, baskets, books, pillows, cutting boards, artwork, vases, flowers and greenery are all standard props used for styling. If you’re unsure about DIYing your styling, there are experts you can hire to help. Either way, you’ll want to style in advance as well so the photographer can set up and get right to work. However, it’s a good idea to bring extra props on photo shoot day.
If the client or other people will be in different parts of the space while the shoot is happening, make sure you plan so that both them and the photographer are inconvenienced as little as possible. You may want to have the client there in general, though, if you need to know where something is or items must be shifted unexpectedly.
Navigating Image Usage Rights
Once the shoot has concluded and you’ve received your final photos, there’s still one more important item to check off the list—ensuring you understand the photo usage rights agreement.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to discuss image usage rights with your photographer. This topic can be confusing, so feel free to ask as many questions as necessary to feel comfortable.
Here’s a quick explanation of how copyright and photo usage rights typically work when hiring a professional photographer. Photos are the intellectual property of the person who created them. So even if you pay a photographer to take pictures for you, in most cases, they still have the copyright and ownership of them.
Because most photographers wish to maintain that and because transferring copyright can be cumbersome and expensive for you, what happens instead is that you and the photographer will enter into a contractual agreement that allows you to use the photos. This is called licensing.
Interior Designer: Huff Harrington
Photo Credit: CatMax Photography
The agreement will have rules about how the pictures can be used, how long they can be used, if credit needs to be given to the photographer, and more. Some agreements are broad, while others are highly specific.
Here are two common ways people violate their photo usage rights agreement that you should be sure to avoid:
Sharing photos with a third party. An image usage rights agreement outlines how you can use specific photos but does not give you the right to share them with others to use. So, if a company whose product is shown in one of the photos asks you for a copy so they can display it on their website or include it in their advertising, you should decline and tell them to reach out to the photographer (because the photographer owns the copyright) so they can work out their own agreement.
Not giving a proper photo credit line. If you are required to give a photo credit, which you almost always are, it needs to be clearly visible, including on social media. An example of a time this doesn’t happen is when someone tags their photographer in a picture on Instagram but doesn’t give them credit in the caption. This improper photo credit can prevent the photographer from getting new business because a potential client may not be able to figure out who they are.
Taking the time to plan, prepare, and understand the various aspects of a professional photo shoot is well worth it and will show in the final results. Trust me!
To see interiors and exteriors I’ve photographed and learn more about CatMax Photography, click here.
Sources:
Gabby, “Why Professional Photography Matters to Interior Designers”; Shutterstock Custom, “How to Prepare any Interior for a Photoshoot”; The Identité Collective, “Tips for the Perfect Interior Design Photoshoot”; Remodeling, “If I Had a Camera: How to Hire an Architectural Photographer”; Houzz, “How to Hire an Architectural Photographer”; Madeleine Wilson Photography, LLC, “Usage Rights vs. Copyrights (and why you should care)”; Format, “The Essential Guide to Photography and Copyright Law”; Clockwork Design Group, Inc. “Understanding Photo Usage Rights”