This spring, Ukrainian lifestyle photographer Olena Serzhanova found herself in lockdown, unable to shoot with models or in a professional studio. “My normal way of working was impossible, so I decided to use myself and my family as models for my stock portfolio,” she remembers. She didn’t know what to expect at the time, but these at-home images sold month after month, throughout the year. Some of them are among her best-sellers today.
She’s not alone. This year, as photographers around the world pivoted to shooting at home, they challenged themselves to think outside the box, developed new skills, and created marketable images. You don’t need a huge budget for a home session, just some foresight and planning. So, we asked fifteen photographers, of all genres, to share their best tips for styling an at-home photo shoot.
1. Keep Your Props Organized
Organization is the name of the game when it comes to at-home photo shoots. “We set up a small studio space in our garage for table top shoots and have stayed busy, and even brought in new clients this year,” David and LJ, the photographers behind Fluid Frame, explain.
“We created a set of surfaces using materials from the hardware store and set up a props storage area for easy access. We now have an easy system to set up whenever we have a shoot. Everything has a place and is clearly labeled to make it easy to set up and put everything away, since we are working out of a space that is dual purpose.”
2. Pull Some Wardrobe Options
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At home, you’ll serve as both the director and the stylist. “Make sure your models are wearing clothing that makes sense for what you’re shooting,” Virginia-based photographer Marti Austin advises.
“For example, baking in the winter just screams for cozy jammies. If the room you’re shooting in has a color scheme, make sure what everyone is wearing doesn’t clash with those colors. I purposely buy my family mostly neutral clothes, without words or pictures, to make their outfits look more classic and timeless for the pictures I take throughout our days.”
3. Remove Copyrighted Details
When looking for props, keep an eye out for any logos or branded details, as they’ll have to be removed. “Take a little look around to make sure there’s nothing with a logo or a copyrighted detail, like a work of art or a designer pattern in your frame,” Kiev-based photographer Olha Afanasieva advises. “By staying prepared, you can make your room or kitchen a studio without much fuss.”
The same goes for wardrobe and clothing. Keep some simple, timeless, logo-free options available.
4. Freshen up the Space
“My wife and I have been in the stock photography world for years now, so when furnishing our new apartment, we were guided by the idea of using neutral colors, a minimalist style, and an absence of designer elements so that we could use it for photo shoots,” the artist behind Impact Photography says. “Even if you don’t have a home specifically designed for photography, it’s so important to prepare ‘your set.’ That way, you won’t waste your time on unnecessary editing.’
“It is also important to pay special attention to the style and colors of the space, wardrobe, and the props you use. Do some research on color harmony and pull some color schemes to use. We’ve used our extra time during the lockdown to watch TV shows, movies, commercials, and more, and it’s been a great way to research new trends in color grading, framing, etc.”
5. Scan the Room for Distractions
“It’s so easy to become hyper-focused on our subject that we miss the sock in the corner,” British Columbia-based photographer Laura Froese admits. “I will even go so far as to take a canvas off a wall so it doesn’t pull the eye when I’m shooting in that room, or rolling up the edge of a throw rug if it’s pulling my eye in a distracting way.’
“Scan your frame before you get too far into snapping away. Or, perhaps you want all those elements included in a documentary-style image! The important thing is that you are owning your frame in an intentional way.”
6. Watch Your Background
“Pay attention to what’s in the background of your photos,” Marti Austin urges. “I find that shooting wide open or close to it will blur out much of the background, so I don’t worry about removing every single thing from the frame—I am a documentary photographer, after all. What I do focus on is removing distracting items from the background, which to me is bits of clutter here and there, or anything overly bright that will pull the eye away from my subject.”
For portraits and still lifes, you can always use backgrounds you find at home. “You can use a wall, sheets, curtains, pieces of fabric, pieces of paper, or your own unique interior,” Russian-based photographer Marina Frost says. “For example, in my compact apartment, there are light gray walls, which makes it possible for me to make the background in my photos any tone, from white to black. The main thing is to highlight it correctly. Believe it or not, my first white background was the refrigerator door. The main thing you need is a sense of beauty and imagination.”
7. Do Some Tidying
“I shoot at home, and my studio is our old living room, where my parents currently live,” Boston-based photographer Dolphia Nandi says. “Before a large shoot, I clean the entire studio—dusting, vacuuming, tidying up, etc. I keep all surfaces (including the floor) clean so I can use them during shoots.”
8. Play with Window Light
This tip was by far the most-mentioned among the artists we interviewed: natural window light is an at-home photographer’s best friend. “Lighting is the main ingredient of a great photo, no matter the location,” Nashville-based photographer Leslee Mitchell explains. “For product shots at home, photograph the product in the room with the best light and as close to the window as possible.’
“Pull back the drapes, open the window, and move anything blocking the light in any way. With the product placed as close to the window as possible, bounce the window light back onto the product using a white foam core board or reflector to light the product more evenly.”
If window light isn’t doing the trick, you can always invest in some off-camera speedlights. “I shoot with off-camera flashes, which gives me instant windows everywhere. But, if you are a natural light photographer, you’re going to want to pay attention to which rooms get the best light and when,” Laura Froese adds. “Also, don’t be afraid to move a little furniture around to maximize that light.”
9. Plan for the Right Weather and Time of Day
“One thing I’ve learned while shooting in my home is to pay close attention to the light and plan your photo shoots accordingly,” Marti Austin tells us. “I know if I want photos of my daughter baking pancakes in the kitchen, that has to happen in the afternoon because that’s when the lighting is best in that space. This could mean I put off our photo shoot for a day or two if it’s overcast, or we have pancakes for dinner instead of breakfast—all in the interest of taking the best pictures possible.”
10. Use What You Have
“I used to spend money on professional backgrounds before I realized that what really works best for me and my type of images was using old carpets or blankets that I already had at home,” Venice-based photographer Zaira Zarotti says. “You just need to follow your intuition and experiment as much as possible. You might be surprised by how many beautiful styling solutions are within reach.”
11. Invest in Portable Gear
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If and when you do buy new gear for your home, make it light and practical. “Having to set up and put away your studio every time you have to use it is inconvenient and time-consuming. But, unless you’ve got a big house or a room you can permanently use as a photo studio, you may want to choose your equipment with portability in mind,” Italian photographer Dario Lo Presti advises.
“For example, you can choose speedlights over monolights and use easily collapsible softboxes and reflectors. Maybe you opt for a foldable still-life table or, better still, a simple light stand with a metal plate (these are called ‘baby plates’) attached on the top and a simple plexiglass or glass plate glued over that. This will work well if you need just a pure white background.’
“When working at home, always put safety first. If you have small children or pets living with you, make sure they can’t accidentally knock over your light stands and tripods, or trip up on wires on the ground. Some pets also like to nibble your power cables, so try to keep the door of the room you are using closed when you are not there.”
12. Add a Natural Touch
Just because you’re indoors doesn’t mean you can’t introduce a touch of nature. Sarajevo-based photographer Larisa Hadzic explains, “Plants are great to use as props because they are economical. You can reuse them, and they make for beautiful details that breathe life to your images.”
You can always check your backyard or a nearby park for seasonal props and garnishes. “My advice is to go outside—pick up leaves, pebbles, twigs, and anything that seems interesting and inspiring to you,” Serbian-based photographer Dragana Zivkovic suggests. “Then, find a small corner of the apartment where no one will bother you and experiment with these collected elements. If you’d like to add things you have at home or any popular seasonal props, even better.”
13. Get Creative
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Being stuck at home doesn’t mean you have to shoot the same thing every day. Use it as an invitation to try something new. “I have been shooting at home this year, and it has challenged me to get creative and try out things I maybe wouldn’t have beforehand,” Canadian-based photographer Kyla Ewert tells us.
“I’ve brought out my macro lens, used my color-changing essential oils diffuser for lighting, and gotten creative with self-portraits. My theory is that you get the best images when you don’t play it safe. Try things that might fail horribly, and occasionally it will work out.”
14. Stay Ready
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“I’m a stay at home mother to my four children, so the majority of my images are shot in our home,” Massachusetts-based photographer Beth Urban tells us. “I don’t do much planning ahead for a shoot because things don’t usually go according to plan around here! Instead, I keep my camera in an accessible place and keep an eye out for moments of inspiration.’
“Some examples of this would be the way the light is falling across their playspace, a sweet interaction between siblings, a cool fort they built, a random silly moment or moment of deep focus, the angelic look on their face as they sleep, etc.’
“Sometimes, once I start to photograph one of these moments, I’ll see how a solid color shirt would be better, or a step to the right has more interesting light, and will make small adjustments like this if I don’t think it will ruin the flow of the moment. Often, my kids will also feel inspired when I grab my camera and think of additional ideas, outfits, and props, and we’ll make a whole extra set of images.’
“I always try their suggestions because they love to see their ideas come to life. And, whether the images end up in my portfolio, our family album, or even just on a hard drive, I love collaborating and making art and memories with my children.”
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Cover image by Olha Afanasieva.
