Photoshoots are a fantastic way to celebrate and acknowledge the end of an interior design project, and the images say a thousand words. But the shoots involve much more than just snapping a few images of each space. They are about weaving the narrative of the design into every frame. Our residential design projects can last from months to years, and by the time we reach the photoshoot stage, we’re excited to showcase the unique stories of each client’s space. Keep reading along to learn more about some of our recent shoots!
Photoshoot Prep:
Preparations for the photoshoot begin well before the actual day. We start by taking scouting shots or “scouts” to plan which spaces and angles we want to highlight that best tell the story of the home. This is also when we start thinking about which accessories to bring along. Depending on the size of the project, we could take carloads of accessories with us. Even when the home is already well-accessorized, having a variety of items means we can style the space to further convey the story. The time of year is also something we have to consider in our planning phase. What suits the house best? If we’re planning a spring shoot, expect brighter colors, whereas in winter and fall, we lean towards more subdued and earthy tones.
Another pre-shoot task is shopping for florals and botanicals. Faux plants don’t quite cut it for professional shots. Everything must be fresh. This step is also dependent on the time of year, as we can only use what is in season.
Photoshoot Days:
Photoshoot days are long and filled with constant little adjustments. We start by unloading and unpacking all of the items that we’ve brought along. We also take pictures of the spaces before we move everything around; that way we can set it back up just as the clients had it originally. Preparing for the perfect shot is quite a lot of work! We move furniture, switch out accessories and artwork, and have to find just the right angle to capture the spaces. You know how you see a perfect image in a shelter magazine and wonder how those people keep their house so clean and organized? Well, no… if you could see the next room adjacent to where we are shooting an image… you’d see that every house is the same. Lots of stuff!! We create the perfect shot but this means moving everything around.
Post Photoshoot:
The day doesn’t end when the camera stops; far from it! Once we pack up all of our items and setting everything back in its place, we head back to the office, eagerly anticipating the final shots. Editing is an intensive process – working with the photographer, we meticulously review each image, deciding on what needs to be tweaked and adjusted. Once we are happy with the images it’s time to select what we want to feature.
Seeing the final images, each one telling the unique story of a home, makes it all worth it. We can’t wait to reveal some of our recent photo shoots! Stay tuned, and….
Stay Inspired,
The MWI Team