Photographing spaces is a sacred experience. Being a self taught photographer has allowed me to rely on my intuition, instincts and a strong sense of story telling just as much as I rely on my technical skills. I am telling a story each time I fly across the country, pick up my camera and step foot into a space. I recently photographed an abandoned historic building in Tulsa, Ok. I sensed the energy of the building. It was dynamic, rich with history, struggle, hope, and a sense of optimism. This is the story I will be telling for this project. As for most homes, I walk in and can immediately feel the dynamic of the family. These four walls of our home are where we live, grow, love, rest, reflect, struggle, find hope, gather, and love. So, when Apartment Therapy asked me to share a few photography tips, I wanted to navigate both the technical side as well as the soulful intention I bring to each space.
I hope my tips help facilitate a different perspective when looking at spaces, at life and the energy that comes with it. Regardless of your end goal, tools, or type of space, I hope these tips help you create and share in a way that is meaningful and unique to you. Here are five insights for everything from how to get your lighting just right to finding your sweet spot.
ONE | FAVORITE IPHONE APP
The best camera is the one in your hand! With all the current apps and tools available, not to mention the high-quality cameras on modern devices, you can do a lot with just your phone. My current favorite app is A Color Story, from dear friends and inspiring entrepreneurs Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman. I love the filters for portraits, but for photographs of spaces I like to keep it simple and only alter the exposure, contrast, and color temperature.
Watch my Instagram Takeover for A Color Story to learn all my how tos, favorite filters and more for editing on the go.
TWO | STRAIGHT SHOOTER
When capturing a space, shoot straight-on and aim for clean lines (my love language!). The best bet for achieving nice, tidy lines is to adopt a few supporting tools. Start by simply turning on the grid on your phone’s camera: For IPhone users, it can be found under Settings > Camera > Grid. Next, external support like the Movi Freefly smartphone stabilizer or a JOBY GorlliaPod mini-tripod make for smoother video and precise photo angles. These two options are great for your iPhone and head to my Washington Post Feature to check out my professional tripod I use on a weekly basis.
THREE | OPTIMIZE THE ANGLE
I suggest saving inventive and creative angles for detail shots. Playing around with angles can be a fun way to experiment with close-ups of objects and really communicate the details of a space. This is also a great way to highlight unique and found objects that speak to your heart.
Photos: ©AlyssaRosenheck. Design by Taylor Anne Interiors.
FOUR | LIGHTS OFF
Natural light (as opposed to overhead lighting or lamps) is essential for capturing the most accurate representation of a room— When every I start shooting, I am flipping off all the light switches in the home. This may be counterintuitive, but natural light yields the most accurate representation of the room’s color and all the beauty within it,
FIVE | PERSPECTIVE
The ultimate goal is to have the camera feel like a natural extension of your body. Perspective is more important then technical skill in my opinion. When you focus too much on “whether you’re doing it right” this can yield a “stiff” product. Ask yourself what your intention is in capturing the space, the person, and how you can best tell a story? My book, The New Southern, was a way for me to explore this deeper. The New Southern is about creativity being a unifier as I celebrate makers in their spaces…. the spaces that have supported life pivots, tremendous growth, determination, and the grit the one finds in the South.
Everyone and everything has a story to tell and this is your chance to share it. Xx
