STEFAN RADTKE INTERIOR DESIGN / PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY

View Original

11 Step Interior Design / Architecture Photography Workflow

I am not trying to just document-as-is a beautiful residence, a modern bathroom, or a living room. My goal as a photographer is to create images of the interior designer's and architect's intent. In 99% of the cases, the intent is unfortunately quickly drowned out once the homeowners move in and bring in plastic toys, grandma's heirlooms, playpens, and personal stuff. There is a very short window of opportunity between completion and handover to photograph a design project for competitions, promotion, advertising. It is very often the one and only chance.

My portfolio only shows the final output. A lot of things have to happen to get to that point. So, what are the steps from a client's idea to publication? What is my process as a photographer to create those images? How do I work?

Let's take the following case: An interior designer and architect want me to photograph a project, and I have never worked with them before. 

I will break up my process into several blog posts with different workflow topics. You are a corporate, retail, or hospitality client? Read on. The workflow is pretty much the same, with some differences in accessibility and staging options.

My 11 Step Interior Design / Architecture Photography Workflow

  1. Determine the scope of the project and manage expectations. Every project is different.

  2. How will the images be used? Who else wants to use them?

  3. Location scouting. In-person scouting vs. online scouting.

  4. How much staging/styling will be necessary for the photoshoot? What are the logistics?

  5. Create a shot list and an estimate/quote

  6. Assemble the team for the photoshoot

  7. Prepare and pack equipment needed for the photoshoot

  8. Shoot day

    1. documenting the client's intent

    2. less is more

    3. monitoring on a big screen

    4. shooting for the edit

  9. Post-Processing & Delivery

  10. Archival, Copyright Registration, Protecting client's usage rights

  11. Submission of projects & Publication

Stay tuned for more.