Choosing the Right Gear for Interior Design Photography
In my last post, I talked about how to book your first photo shoot with an interior designer. Now that you’ve got that first shoot on the books (or you will soon- believe it!) let’s make sure your gear is ready to go.
Disclaimer- I’m definitely not a gear-head and tend to lean toward the philosophy that less is more. But, there’s no doubt that specializing in interior photography requires different gear than many other genres of photography. Here’s the gear I’m currently using.
1. A full-frame camera: Mine is the Canon 5D Mark IV
2. Lens: I chose the Canon EF 24-70 f2.8 Zoom Lens as my main lens. I love it because it can stay on my camera even for detail shots and the 24mm option means I can get a great view of just about any room.
My second option of lens (I use it about 10 percent of the time but it’s SO great to have in my camera bag) is the Canon 24mm Tilt
Shift. It’s just beautiful in every way!
3. and 4. Computer Tethering System: Tethering your camera to a computer or iPad is so important for interior photography. Details are a huge part of design and being able to see your shot from a large screen is essential for making sure every detail is in place.
I use my Apple MacBook Pro and this tethering cable to make sure everything is in its place before I take the shot.
5. A solid tripod kit: This Manfrotto tripod and head has lasted me years and taken quite a beating. It’s a fabulous price point and is solid and dependable.
6. and 7. Lighting: You’ll find that having a dependable speedlight will become a big part of your workflow as you photograph interiors. I started out small, but ended up splurging for the best in my Profoto B10 Plus and Profoto A10. They are staples in my camera bag and I love their ease of use and dependability!
There you have it! But remember- The best gear for photographing interiors isn’t always the priciest, it’s the gear that you can depend on to get you the results you want. I learned photography with a starter Canon camera and a cheap lens. I think it made me better to learn everything I could with what I had, so don’t let a lack of gear discourage you.
Finally, don’t let the cost of interior photography gear keep you from your goals. Check to see if there are any local shops near you that rent cameras and gear. If not, there are plenty of online rental companies that offer great deals. I’m not above faking it until you make it and renting gear is the best way to find your favorite new gadget!
And don’t forget that I LOVE teaching all my tricks when it comes to interior design photography! My mentoring sessions are a great way to get those burning questions answered without hours of scrolling. Head to my mentoring page for more info and to book!
We’re in this together!
Emily
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