Six Tips for a Successful Photo Shoot

For any creative business, photography is the most important investment you can make. The quality of your photography directly impacts the level of clients you attract, your chances of being featured in publications, and so much more. In addition to Hanna Creative Co’s own Roxanne Hanna, we spoke with renowned interiors photographers Aimée Mazzenga and Lesley Unruh, whose work has collectively appeared in Architectural Digest, Luxe Interiors + Design, Southern Living, and Domino, among others, about how to prepare for a successful photo shoot. Here are their 6 top pieces of advice.

Photography by Lesley Unruh and design by Vincente Wolf

1. Hire the Right Team

Depending on the type of shoot, you should always select a photographer with specific expertise in that area, whether it's for a brand, interiors/architecture, portraits, or lifestyle. “Don't hire a commercial photographer for a residential interior shoot or an interiors photographer for a portrait session, for example,” says Hanna. “Each photographer has their strengths, and you want to play to those strengths.” Peruse the portfolios of photographers who specialize in your type of shoot, and consider their style of work and the visual narrative you want to convey with your product or project. Hiring a stylist is another non-negotiable when it comes to an interiors shoot. “A stylist knows the camera,” says Unruh. “They know angles and how to play up textures and layering in a way that elevates what you’ve worked so hard to create.”

2. Prepare A Shot List

“A shot list really helps with pacing,” continues Unruh, noting how a thorough shot list enables the photography team to strategically collaborate on timing and lighting conditions, making the most of the day. “It’s also great to leave time for happy accidents, when someone on set sees something that wasn’t there before. Those moments of magic can push a photoshoot into the beautiful editorial space of the magazines we all love.” Mazzenga also advocates prepping a shot list, and advises focusing on the spaces that will move the narrative forward: “Don’t feel you need to shoot every little detail, and every nook and cranny. Not all details are necessary and not all angles and rooms look good on camera.”

(1) Photography by Lesley Unruh, Interior Design by Carolyn Roehm, (2) Lesley Unruh, Interior Design by CeCe Barfield, (3) Lesley Unruh, Interior Design by Danielle Rollins, (4) Photography by Lesley Unruh, Interior Design by Katie Leede

3. Plan in Advance

When photographing a space, only schedule the shoot when every last detail is complete. From window treatments to light fixtures, all the elements should be in place before bringing in a photographer. While it can be hard to wait, especially with inevitable delays and supply chain issues, your patience will ultimately pay off with a more polished final result. According to Mazzenga, “You can always tell when there’s holes in a space, and it’s harder as a photographer to capture a home that’s incomplete.” Hanna also recommends setting up an advance call with your photography team to review your overall goal, storyboards, inspiration, and stylistic tone of the shoot. “A creative brief can also be helpful to get everyone on the same page,” she says. Mazzenga adds that when shooting a space, any prep work you can do in advance makes a big difference. For example, do the windows need to be washed? Does the bedding need to be pressed? “The more you can do ahead, the better.”

4. Trust Your Team

You put a lot of legwork into finding the right photographer, stylist, and/or art director. Now you have to trust your decision and have faith the professionals you’ve hired will do justice to your project or product shoot. “The more you can trust and relinquish control for the day and trust the experts who focus on life behind the lens, the more beautiful your photographs will be,” assures Mazzenga, who also encourages collaboration. Her most successful shoots, she recalls, are the ones where everyone contributes and believes in each others’ talent and expertise.

(1) Photography by Aimée Mazzenga, Interior Design by Pam Maher, (2) Photography by Aimée Mazzenga, Interior Design by Sarah Bartholomew and styling by Alexandra Morris Flint, (3) Photography by Aimée Mazzenga, Interior Design by Michael Del Piero, (4) Photography by Aimée Mazzenga, Interior Design by Shelley Johnstone and styling by Cate Ragan

5. Capture Behind-the-Scenes Footage

“People love viewing the process of a photo shoot,” says Hanna. Process shots build momentum for a new product introduction or project, and provide valuable assets for social media. Make sure your footage includes both video and still shots. And speaking of behind-the-scenes—creating a fun atmosphere on the day of the shoot will guarantee better footage. Unruh suggests keeping everyone fed and hydrated throughout the day with plenty of coffee and water, and a balanced, nourishing lunch (no sandwiches!).

6. Consider Your End Goals

Hanna recommends keeping a list of what size photographs live on your website. For example, does your site have banner images that may need a refresh every once in a while? Are you planning on creating any lookbooks or printed/digital brochures? Do you want to design an ad? “It’s helpful to know how your images will fit with what you have going on, so you can make a good investment.” Also, how do you plan to use the photos? Are they for your website portfolio? For publishing? A book project? All of the above? Unruh suggests deciding on a story to tell with your photos: “Is it an afterparty breakfast with Ziggy Stardust in attendance, or breakfast with Tiffany or Jackie O? What delights you or your client? What books are they reading?” Creating a narrative can help provide styling and layering guidance, especially in a space that lacks a unique point of view.

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Written by Kamala Nair for The Brand Journal. Kamala is a Copywriter and Brand Voice Expert for Interior Designers and Architects.