Photography shoots for interiors and architecture projects take their own kind of detailed planning.
There’s lots to think about. Equipment, access, compositions, where the natural light will fall at certain times of the day or evening, the mood of the building, and the aims of the client. Even the flow of the shoot and what order to photograph the rooms in is important to figure out early on. We do this in order to be efficient and ensure all the boxes are ticked for you on the day.
In this guide we’ll look at how we can help you before the day of the shoot, and the little things you can do to help us to maximise the quality of the images we capture.
- Create a concise brief
A brief is the heart of any creative project. While creative fields such as photography need room to breathe, there also needs to be some constraints to add focus to the work.
Creating a clear and simple brief is the best way to detail what you are looking for from your photographers. The details to list on the brief include:
– The number of shots required. Include overviews, vignettes and the details of each room
– Furniture or other important areas that need special focus
– The style of photographs you’re looking for. Natural bright, natural mood, twilight or evening? If you are unsure your photographer can help guide you before the day of shoot.
-Do you require the lights on or off?
– What are the images being used for? Where they going? A print magazine or a website?
As part of the ZAC and ZAC workflow you will be required to complete a small questionnaire which will outline all of the main factors to help the shoot run smoothly as possible.
- Work with a stylist in advance
If you’re styling the rooms for your shoot, it always pays to talk to the stylist well in advance. Aim to have them set up the property the day before the shoot, or at least a few hours before the photography session is due to start.
This is key because it allows for more time on the day to take shots, without delays while props or furniture is rearranged.
Stylists can bring an array of props to stylise the property before shooting. These will likely include books, magazines, fresh flowers, food, plants, accessories and art works. All the props will be carefully thought out to make sure the style and colour palette best represent the space they are being selected for. Alternatively to keep things simple stylists can work with accessories within the scene, this is dependent on the amount of accessories they have to work from making sure that they best compliment the photograph. The designer will always liaise with the stylist before the shoot day to make sure they are both on the same page to achieve the best possible results.
- Uninterrupted access
An interiors shoot can be a fun and exciting event. A typical shoot may consist of the photographer, photographer’s assistant, the designer, stylist, and any models if desired. While some clients like to be there and be involved, it is essential that the space to be photograph is free of people on the day of shoot. Due to our final photographs being created by multiple photographs it is vital the scene remains undisturbed so that each exposure can layer perfectly on top of one another in the post editing stage.
To conclude…
Prepare for your shoot with the tips we have detailed above, and everything will run smoothly. By following a well-structured and thought out shoot day, you give yourself the best chance of capturing photographs that will truly stand out and fit your brief.