Simple but Effective Tips for Taking Photos Indoors (Photographer Edition)

Mar 8

As it is still winter with unpredictable weather in the northern states, many photographers are working to shoot their sessions indoors. When looking for an indoor location for the next session, here are a few things to be aware of…

1. Work with windows. There is just something very soft about natural light that does wonders for photos. Whether you are looking to achieve a romantic feel or bring a cozy look to your images, natural light is the way to go. If you can find a window or open door and use that light as front, side or back lighting it will give your photos a really nice look and feel. It also brings natural warmth to your images.

2. Pay attention to your surroundings. While shooting photos inside a home gives you loads of great backdrops and props to work with, you might need to move a few things around before your session. Make sure that your space isn’t cluttered as this can shift the focus in the photo. You want one focus piece of furniture and one or two props at a time. Afterall, your subject is the focus of your session, and you don’t want to distract the eye from them.

3. Check the light sources. It’s very important to only stick to one light source. If you’re shooting photos in a room with strong overhead lights but there are also several windows, rather opt for the natural light and switch off any other light sources. This will help take away harsh shadows and softens the image.

4. Discover your space. If you’re shooting in an indoor setting, take a proper walk around the area and see if there aren’t areas that you can shoot in that you never thought of before. I love checking out a location prior to the shoot to find inspiration from the location. This is your chance to get creative. Look for various vantage points to shoot the subject from as well as naturals lines to frame the subject. Or maybe you will be inspired to try something different because the location presents a unique feature that others may not.

5. What your client wears still matters. You will often come across advice on what to have clients wear when taking photos outside but what they wear to an indoor photo session matters just as much. Your client’s clothing should complement your backdrop and the overall mood that you’re trying to create.

Taking photos indoors might be a little more work sometimes but it’s totally worth it.