EXPERTS REVEAL WHAT IT TAKES TO CREATE AN INSTAGRAM-WORTHY INTERIOR SHOT

Squeezing the perfect interior setting into a single Instagram post can be a challenge and taking a decent photo at home can be harder than it seems. However, interior photoshoot experts are at hand to provide tips people can follow to help take their home photos like a pro.

In the Instagram generation, home and lifestyle accounts are having a huge influence on design and decorating.  With over 76 million #homedecor hashtags, 103 million #interiordesign hashtags and a further 11.6 million tagging #myhome, leading supplier of on-trend fabrics and wallpapers Prestigious Textiles would like everyone to feel like they can get involved and feel inspired by these current trends and aesthetically pleasing images.

Google Searchers has recently revealed many people are trying to capture the perfect image, with queries ‘How to get the best lighting in your pictures?’ receiving over 15,000 searches a month during October and ‘What does framing mean in photography?’ receiving 10,000 searches.

Providing expert tips to ensure the perfect photo is taken, interior designer and stylist Jane Sanderson and photographer Carl Hodgson have provided their professional thoughts and experiences on achieving the ideal photo setting, considering all of the extra details that you might not have thought about:

1. Lighting – If natural light is limited, try to embrace it. Deep shades and moodier hues pair perfectly with atmospheric lighting, creating the feeling of a cosy, autumnal living space. Have a go at enlivening the dark tones of walls with pops of vibrant textiles. Carl Hodgson adds “Lighting is essential to great photography, especially when shooting fabrics, sheers, leathers as it helps to bring out the textures. This is something to bear in mind when sofas, cushions and carpets are in the shot.”
2. Framing – Layer home décor pieces when framing your image to offer an added depth of field; position something in the foreground to instantly add an extra dimension to the shot. Balanced composition will add visual weight and engage your eye into the image.
3. Colour Schemes – If working with a north-facing room, use darker colours to maintain the mood. If it’s south-facing, use bright colours to keep things open and fresh. Carl Hodgson advises “I tend to choose a location that suits the colour scheme. Blues and yellows always photograph strongly as they are visually pleasing.”
4. Angles – Working with an eye-level angle gives a sense of realism as the shot is the same as human vision, which gives a sense of familiarity to the viewer.
5. Placement – Be careful not to clutter, the focus needs to be on the main items such as curtains, sofas, or tables. It’s important to use decorative ornaments that will highlight the main focus, not retract attention from them.
6. Location – If shooting in the home, pick the room that has the most versatility. Utilise the room that has the best natural lighting and naturally pleasing aesthetic. Interior designer and stylist Jane Sanderson adds “The location or room is one of the most important factors of a shoot, spend time looking at the fabrics, feeling the textures and then let your imagination run wild.”
7. Perception – Use a low angled shot to make certain objects appear a lot bigger than they actually are – if it is to be the dominant part of the photo. Lower angles can make the subject appear larger and works well shooting items like small sofas. Higher angles can give a great visual feel and works well to show patterns on fabrics.
8. Bringing It To Life – Apply bold colours to give an emotive and expressive feel to the shot. Soft neutrals, statement patterns and subtle undertones all evoke passion. Be bold with it!
9. Highlighting Detail – Create bright lighting to highlight detailed areas, such as intricate graphics or patterns on a sofa or wallpaper. Jane Sanderson adds: “Our locations begin and end with lighting. The art of lighting a shot creates the mood you’d like to achieve; perhaps a beautifully sunshine lit room that is often created by clever trickery.”
10. Styling – The image should appear natural and not staged. Remove any wires, neaten up the pile of magazines and plump up cushions to make everyday objects photo worthy. Jane Sanderson says “Styling brings a room shot to life. Infuse different textures, adding a rope or contrast colour piping on a chair or ottoman, or styling a coffee table with tactile pieces of wood or clay. Create layers of interest with glass or marble, adding large branches to create a simple sculptural piece. Often less is best.”

Nicola Brumfitt, marketing director at Prestigious Textiles adds “Social media has become such an integral part of design over the last few years. Whether it’s a small personal blog or a huge influencer, people have easy access to countless different interior inspirations, and we hope our top 10 tips will help those looking to create their own perfect Instagram or Pinterest page.

“We’re pleased to team up with our interior stylist and photographer to give expert advice on taking interior pictures and hope people use our tips to create their perfect snaps.”