Are you unsure where to start when hiring an interior photographer? Do you wonder what specific qualities to look for? Are you considering hiring a photographer whose main focus is portraits but offers a lower price?

Now is not the time to muck about or take shortcuts! The six things below will give you a solid fly-over of what to expect from your interior photographer and how to hire the right one from the get-go.

1. The sessions should be SUPER FUN and highly rewarding!

When you see your work translated through a professional camera lens, you will be floored! My clients typically say things like,
“I can’t believe that’s my work!”
“It looks like a magazine!”
“I really AM a good designer!”
I’ve even had clients tear up. I live for these moments! It’s just as rewarding for me as you. To know the service I provide can literally change a designer’s perspective about themselves—it’s the best thing ever. And it makes me fall in love with my job all over again.

Design by Alisa Cristine Interiors — *Design by* *Alisa Cristine Interiors*

2. You should be able to see every image the photographer takes.

A quality interior photographer will tether their camera to either a laptop or iPad so you can see on a large screen all the details of the image. I tether wirelessly on an iPad, which is the cornerstone of how I collaborate with my clients. I get to review the technical aspects of the photo, and you get to review placement of the design and styling elements.

Sometimes the difference between a good photo and a great photo is in the smallest adjustments, like moving the florals to the left two inches to avoid them overlapping the sink faucet. These details are very difficult to catch unless you’re seeing every image your interior photographer captures at a session.

3. When you purchase an image, you actually purchase a license to use the image.

That’s because in any niche of photography, the photographer owns the image—they are inherently the copyright owner.

What does this mean for you, the license purchaser? Two things:

You can use the images only as outlined in the contract. For example, if you purchased a web license, that means you can use the images only online, like on social media and your website. If you’re also interested in using the images for a print publication, you will likely need to purchase a separate license (depending on how the photographer structures their licenses).
You are not allowed to share the image freely (see #4 below).

4. You likely may not be able to freely share the images with a third party.

Unless the photographer—the copyright holder—has granted permission, you cannot share the images freely with others. Not a publisher, vendor on the project, nor any social media user. That party must receive permission from the copyright owner in order to use the image without committing copyright infringement.

Here’s a common scenario: Sally posts a lovely image of her latest project featuring a West Elm coffee table. West Elm LOVES this image, and they know it would be valuable to put on their Instagram feed. So they comment on the photo asking Sally permission to repost the image. They provide a link to their contract terms that Sally automatically agrees to when she says yes, and the tell her to comment with a cute little hashtag to provide permission. Unless Sally receives permission from her photographer, she would be committing copyright infringement if she says yes to West Elm.

“But allowing these companies to use the images is great exposure for me!”

It is for sure! In some scenarios, the third party (West Elm in the scenario above) will pay for a license to use the images, just like you did. In instances when they won’t pay, but you still want them to feature you work, your photographer may allow you to pay for the license on their behalf, so to speak. Consider this an investment in your marketing! If it’s valuable enough for you to be feathered on a company’s social media feed, ask your photographer if you can pay for an additional license.

Shot for Cross Timbers Lifestyle Magazine

5. You get what you pay for.

What’s the difference between a $10 haircut and a $80 hair cut? Two things: the quality of the cut and the experience the salon provides you as a customer. Photography is no different—if you want both stunning imagery and a stellar experience from start to finish, you have to be at peace with the investment it requires. After all, the photography you share with the world is inherently tied to your brand—why would you not invest with gusto? In the words of Boardshead, comprise elsewhere.

6. You should Resist the urge to hire a photographer who does not specialize in interior photography.

If you go to a photographer’s Instagram and all you see is portrait work, this is likely not the photographer for you.

I see many new designers hiring portrait photographers either because 1) they know a portrait photographer and lots of people like to hire someone they are familiar with and 2) they can save money because most portrait photographers will deliver tons of images for a small, flat rate.

Remember, you get what you pay for. Interior photography presents unique challenges in composition, lighting, lens quirks, and tons more that portrait photographer do not deal with on a regular basis. If you want to do your newly remodeled space and your business justice, hire someone who specializes in interior photography.

Ask the right questions when vetting an interior photographer.

Basic information, like cost and turnaround time, is great to know. But if you really want to understand the quality of the interior photographer you’re about to hire, consider asking the following:

“Do you tether your camera?”
To really see what’s happening in each frame, you need to see the image on a screen larger than the back of the camera. Remember the difference between a good photo and a great photo is in the details.
“What image licenses do you sell?”
Do you want to use the images online for your website and social media? Do you want them for print publication in a magazine? Set clear expectations from the get-to so you and the photograph are on the same page about how the images will be used.
“How can my GC, architect, or the project vendors also be able to use the images?”
Ask detailed questions about licensing with the photographer so you understand where and how you’re allowed to use them.
“Do you offer split-fee arrangements when third parties want to buy-in to the session?”
Many photographers, myself included, will offer a split fee arrangement between you and and third parties if you know prior to the session that they want to buy-in. This reduces the investment per party. Photographers handle third-party licensing differently, so be sure to ask how major players on your project can also use the images for their marketing purposes.

Final Thoughts

A good interior photographer understands their value; I encourage you to invest in one so your work and brand are represented well. Even if you’re a new designer—especially if you’re a new designer!—budget your marketing dollars wisely.

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