Once winter hints we find ourselves spending more time indoors, but that doesn’t mean great opportunities for a picture won’t pop up. Taking pictures indoors definitely seems daunting, but here are a few tips to help you out.
- Work with windows. Natural light works wonders for photos. If you can find a window or open door and use that light as front, side, or back lighting, it will give your images a beautiful look and feel. Window light also brings natural warmth to your images.
2. Pay attention to your surroundings. While shooting pictures inside your home gives you loads of great backdrops and props to work with, you might need to move a few things around before your session. Make sure that your space isn’t cluttered as this can shift the focus in your image (think dirty dishes, laundry piles, items on counters).
3. Check your light sources. It’s very important to stick to only one light source. If you’re shooting pictures in a room with strong overhead lights but there are also several windows, opt for the natural light and switch off everything else. Multiple light sources will create uneven color temperature in images … trust me, it doesn’t look good!
4. Discover your space, be creative! If you’re shooting in an indoor setting, walk around and see if there are areas you can use that you’ve never thought of before.
5. What you wear still matters. You will often come across advice on what to wear for outdoor portraits, but what you wear for indoor portraits matters just as much (unless you’re photographing your kids just being kids). Wardrobe should always complement your surroundings and the mood you wish to create.
Taking portraits indoors oftentimes does require a bit more work, but the results are worth it! Have fun!
