Interior designers across the country are incredibly busy – even during a pandemic. With everyone working, playing, vacationing, and learning at home, people are laser-focused on renovating and improving their houses. So now you have all of these amazing projects completed and you want to photograph them. But can you do that in a pandemic? With the right planning, you definitely can. It just takes a little ingenuity. 

I’ve shot many projects safely since the pandemic first hit, including a huge shoot for the Kips Bay Showhouse in Dallas and a Perennials campaign shoot.

Here are my tips for getting the photos you need while still staying safe and sane.  

Make a Plan

The most important thing you can do for an effective photo shoot is preplanning. That’s true during non-pandemic times, but it’s especially important today. Do a walkthrough on installation day with your photographer, even if you have to do it on Facetime or Zoom. That initial walkthrough will help you identify the best angles and shots, and where you may need more styling. Create an in-depth shot list that efficiently moves the team around the home. And give up on any angles or shots that just don’t work. This type of photo shoot is about getting the best photos you can in a short amount of time - in and out. Know what the hero shots are, and know what can be dropped from the list.

Family Out

It is never a good idea to have a family in the home during a photo shoot. But it’s a really bad idea to expose your photographer, team, and clients to each other in a pandemic. The question is: How to get them out when they don’t really have anywhere they can safely go. This is where you’ll have to be creative and possibly spend a little money. First, if your clients have a second home or vacation home, see if you can schedule the shoot when they’re away. If they don’t, you could always rent an AirBNB for them for the day – preferably in a fun place that will entertain them and the kids. You could also rent a movie theater for the day. Lots of theaters are renting themselves out at $99 to make some money during shutdowns. That’s a small price to pay to get your clients out of the way. Be inventive and think of ways to please your clients and clear the home for the shoot.

Keep It Clean 

One way to make your clients and team members feel more comfortable with a photo shoot is to spell out cleaning procedures for before and after the team is in the home. Hiring a cleaning crew that will sanitize surfaces and floors is smart and will show your clients that their safety is top of mind for you. Masks for all crew are a given, but they should also wear gloves in the home and should remove their shoes outside the door before they enter. And there should be a lot of hand sanitizer available. The key is to be sure you communicate all of that to your client when you’re scheduling the shoot. You want them to see that you’re committed to making this a safe event for all, especially the family that lives in the home.

Smaller Team

You and the photographer should work with the smallest team possible. Fewer people mean less exposure. And some states are moving to very strict rules on how many people can be in a group at one time. Understand that each person at the shoot (including YOU) may have to double up on their duties, but that’s a small price to pay to keep everyone safe. If you can keep the group to a stylist, a photographer, an assistant and you, that would be the best-case scenario for all involved. Each person should also bring in their own snacks and drinks for the day. No using plates, cups, or other items in the home. Period.

Moving Along

On the day of the photo shoot, be prepared to have windows and doors open to move the air around. Fresh air has been shown to reduce exposure risks, so if it’s cool outside you may have to crank the heat and layer your clothing. Also use freestanding and ceiling fans to move that air. And be aware of distance as much as possible. We provide our clients with their own personal iPad to review the images so there is no need to share my computer. You can come into the room to adjust something, but then move at least 8 feet away from anyone else while the photographer is shooting.  

If you’re still concerned, you could also ask for all team members to have a COVID test before the shoot – but that’s up to you. Following the tips above will help you be as safe as you can be during a pandemic, while still getting the photos you need to market your business. I’m definitely aware of how important both of those goals are and I’ve had a lot of experience at shooting during a pandemic. Give my team a call if you want to work with us in the coming months to safely get the best photos of your projects.