The Ultimate Interior Designer & Home Stager Brand Shoot Guide
A well-planned brand shoot for your interior design or home staging business should capture more than just headshots—it should showcase your creative process, styled spaces, and brand personality. This guide will help you plan a shoot that provides a strong visual identity and a content library for your website, social media, and marketing materials.
Location Planning
Your location should reflect your design aesthetic and highlight your expertise. Consider these options:
A Completed Project – Capture a beautifully staged or designed space that aligns with your brand.
Your Home, Studio/Office – Show your workspace, design boards, and behind-the-scenes moments.
Photography Studio - Often the best choice for most industries, a studio offers great natural lighting, minimal distractions, and a neutral backdrop that keeps the focus on you and your brand.
On-Site with Clients (If Possible) – Demonstrate your process with real-life installations and styling.
CLIENT’S HOME
PROPS
What to Bring
A successful shoot includes a mix of styled setups, work-in-progress shots, and personal branding elements. Pack these essentials:
Mood Boards & Sketches – Show your design process and inspiration.
Fabric & Paint Swatches – Highlight your ability to curate color and texture.
Measuring Tape & Design Tools – Showcase the technical side of your work.
Technology – Laptops, iPads, or phones displaying floor plans or concept designs.
Decor & Styling Props – Vases, books, trays, candles, or any go-to items that reflect your aesthetic.
Before & After Photos – Printed or digital examples of your work to demonstrate transformations.
Signage & Marketing Materials – Business cards, brochures, or branded folders.
WARDROBE
Wardrobe & Styling Tips
Your wardrobe should complement your brand aesthetic while remaining polished and professional. Keep these guidelines in mind:
Colours – Stick to your brand colours.
Tailored & Comfortable Attire – A well-fitted blazer, chic casual wear, or stylish jumpsuits.
Minimal Accessories – Keep it simple and elegant to avoid distractions.
Functional Footwear – Stylish yet practical shoes for on-site shots.
Layering Options – Blazers, cardigans, or scarves for variety in your images.
Ensure your clothes are free of wrinkles, stains and marks.
SHOT LIST
Must-Have Shots
To create a well-rounded image library, ensure you capture a variety of shots that showcase your expertise and brand identity.
Your Design Process
Reviewing floor plans or sketches
Arranging decor elements on a table
Choosing paint swatches or fabric samples
Walking through a space mid-design
Styled Spaces & Details
Wide-angle shots of fully styled interiors
Close-ups of curated details (table settings, shelf styling, decor vignettes)
Before & after transformations
Client & Team Interactions
Presenting design concepts to a client
Collaborating with contractors or assistants
Staging a home and making final styling adjustments
Personal Brand & Lifestyle
Casual, candid moments in your workspace
Holding a coffee, flipping through a design magazine
A mix of posed and natural shots that feel authentic
Pro Tips for a Successful Shoot
Declutter Your Spaces – Make sure every area is styled with intention.
Plan Ahead with a Shot List – Communicate your vision with your photographer.
Focus on Branding Elements – Colors, textures, and design details should reflect your aesthetic.
Use a Mix of Wide & Detail Shots – Show the big picture and the intricate details of your work.
Capture Versatile Content – Think about how images will be used across different platforms.
Pinterest is an amazing resource for inspiration when planning your shoot. Take a peek at our board here and we encourage you to create your own.
WHO TO HIRE
When selecting a photographer please ensure the following;
They are a BRAND photographer
Their approach to shooting matches with the location of choice (ex. if they are a natural light photogapher does your location have natural light?)
You have reviewed their portfolio and their style matches your brand
Do not worry if they aren’t available “asap” - we would prefer you wait for quality vs picking based on availability
Want to run your options by us? We would be happy to take a look and provide our feedback!
NOTES FOR PHOTOGRAPHER
Capture both vertical and horizontal images (your client requires all orientations for their marketing)
Capture all the types of shots listed above (not all headshots!)
Marketing will require various shots, angles, close ups, etc. (variety is key)
Save the files the client business name (ie. My Wolf Design not: “MWD”, “image12345”)
Images for web use should be no bigger than 10MB
Providing client with both High res at 3600px and up and web size at 1024px is critical
Please share with the client expected final file delivery timeline
Please ensure number of edits are adequate to complete the project (shot amounts provided in this guide)
