Photography Tips By A Top Interiors Photographer And Stylist

Build and Reno

16 Oct

Written By Zephyr and Stone

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Is there a secret to taking magazine-worthy images of a home or interior project?

You better believe it… and who better to share them than Nat Spada of The Palm Co. — who is widely known as one of the best in the business for capturing scroll-stopping shots of homes and interior spaces.

Having worked with Nat to capture Z+S Projects in the past, we know first-hand she has photography secrets for success… and a process for capturing spaces in an aesthetic and impactful way. Plus we knew you’d all love to see Nat’s newly finished, STUNNING cottage renovation and want a personal home tour to see her take on combining Traditional + Scandi Style

Are we right? So get ready to upgrade your interior photography and styling skills, with Nat’s top tips and secrets for setting up and nailing your interiors shot time after time… including how to use the time of day to your advantage to capture the best interior photography in a space… #letsgo

coastal bedroom design with natural sheer curtains and bed linen — The Palm Co • Interior Photography Tips

Scandi Coastal Home Office Design — The Palm Co • Interior Photography and Styling Tips

Why Interior Photography + Styling?

Nat started her career in graphic design, where she was drawn to design and photography. Piquing her interest, she enrolled to study a photography short course, which quickly became her new-found passion. This led to photographing interiors and homes, including the styling of spaces.

It turned out that this was Nat’s sweet spot — her combination of skills in photography and styling is where she excelled — and led to her starting up her own business, The Palm Co; a highly sought-after interior photography service that captures homes and interior projects from Architects, Interior Designers + Homeowners. Nat’s photography projects are most recognisable for her use of light and pared back approach to interior styling.

coastal country sandstone cottage facade desigbn — The Palm Co • Coastal Cottage Design

coastal country black barn exterior design — The Palm Co • Black Coastal Barn Design

Nat’s Coastal Cottage Renovation Project

Project: 2-Bedroom Sandstone Cottage
Project Location: South Coast, New South Wales, Australia
Style: Japandi/Traditional Cottage Style

Nat’s recent renovation of her 1920s heritage-listed cottage is exactly what we would picture when imagining a cosy yet contemporary, cottage-style home. The 2-bedroom Sandstone building was renovated to embody a style that Nat describes as “Japandi meets Traditional” — combining three elements — minimalism, natural textures and neutral tones and colours. Nat incorporated her love for earthy colours, with a colour palette that’s rustic, contemporary and cosy.

Although Nat’s design style has evolved over the years, these three elements remain integral to her personal and interior style. They’re also the key design features you’ll find in successful timeless home design — something Nat is well-known for capturing in her interior photography and styling. Nat’s style aesthetic and approach to design is largely influenced by Scandinavian homes and design.

Z+S Tip • Scandinavian style homes are renowned for embracing texture, and neutral colours and for their minimal approach to styling. They always maximise and embrace natural light.

contemporary coastal kitchen design vj panelling ceiling — The Palm Co • Coastal Kitchen With Walnut Cabinetry

The Palm Co • Coastal Cottage VJ Panelling Ceiling

coastal cottage living room with gas fireplace design — The Palm Co • Coastal Cottage Living Room Design

olive green vj panelling laundry design — The Palm Co • Olive Green VJ Panelling Laundry

3 Secrets For Interior Photography

While photography and styling is a creative process that is personal to each person, home or project, Nat has a process when visually capturing interiors to ensure her images are high-quality, original, and stand out in a crowd. So what are her 3 secret essentials for styling and capturing your own interior photography to its full potential?

Go in with a plan for what you want to achieve, and source styling pieces that complement and bring your look together.
Use a combination of textures and neutral tones across your styling pieces — and always include lots of linens and ceramics.
Statement florals and foliage play a HUGE part in finishing off a space and styling for photography.

coastal kitchen design with stone benchtops walnut cabinetry — The Palm Co • Interior Styling Tips

coastal cottage kitchen renovation — The Palm Co • Interior Design Photography

white coastal bathroom design with fluted bath tub — The Palm Co • Coastal Bathroom Renovation

sandstone cottage kitchen renovation — The Palm Co • Sandstone Cottage Renovation

Using Natural Light To Create a Mood

Lighting — especially natural light, is vital to create an inviting and uplifting mood in any room, and for optimising the enjoyment and success of a space. We picked Nat’s brain about how to use light to your advantage when photographing an interior space…

Always utilise and take advantage of natural light by planning photography around when the time time of day that has the best natural light in any room. When photographing a whole home, move from room to room to chase the best natural light.
Nat uses a white sheet or linen curtains to diffuse any harsh light in a room.
On rare occasions, Nat uses a speedlite flash as a back-up option for lighting.

coastal scandi living room design — The Palm Co • Interior Photography Lighting Tips

The Palm Co • Bedroom Photography Lighting Tips

4 Tips For Setting Up The Perfect Shot

1. Don't over style. Remove everything and then add things in until you love the look — always take away anything that isn't needed or adds to the space and balance.

2. Work on a particular colour palette that complements the design.

3. Pick your hero shots/angles and style with these in mind.

4. Take the camera off the tripod! Move around and see what angles you love before you start clicking away!

scandi coastal home design vj panelling — The Palm Co • Coastal Home VJ Panelling Design

The Palm Co • Coastal Living Room Design

Nat’s 5 Do's and Don'ts For Photographing Interiors

1. Don't Use Fake Greenery — Real plants or foliage always look better through the lens and in interior photos.

2. Style For The Camera — Don't try and adjust your camera angle to work for the styling, adjust the styling to work for the camera angle that best captures the space.

3. Do Go In With a Plan - if you don't you will quickly and easily feel overwhelmed!

4. Do Assess The Lighting When You Arrive Onsite and start with the room with the best lighting. Great lighting can make an image, so you don’t want to risk losing it!

5. Do DEFINITELY Use a Tripod if you want crisp, clear, magazine-worthy shots!