How to take the best photos of your home

We chat to interiors photographer Cathy Pyle on the dos and don’ts of getting the most out of each shot

Proudly photographing our homes and sharing them on Instagram has become a creative pastime for many interiors enthusiasts, sometimes leading to a new career with brand collaborations and more. For those new to photographing their home, we asked professional photographer Cathy to provide some advice. Based in Surrey, her work explores themes of home, sanctuary and the restorative powers of nature. She works with some of the UK’s leading interior and lifestyle magazines, as well as with creative brands and designers.

How did you get started photographing homes?

When I first started as a photographer I took on all kinds of work, but I soon decided that with my long-standing love of all things interior, it would be my dream to one day specialise in this type of photography. Then an opportunity to shoot house tours for Apartment Therapy came up and it all developed from there.

What do you most enjoy about it?

It’s a huge privilege to be welcomed into someone’s home. I find it endlessly fascinating to see how people express their personalities, passions and values in their private spaces, and how they create not just beautiful but highly functional and truly nurturing homes that work for them.

Which one home stands out the most?

I honestly can’t choose just one. My favourites are always very creative and individual homes, especially those belonging to artists: colour consultant and artist Andrea Curtis’s home with all its shades of blues and greens, and artist Philippa Stanton’s quirky, colourful Brighton home (below) are among my favourites.

If someone is taking a picture of their home on their phone, what’s the most important thing to consider?

The one thing I always recommend is to take care to get the horizontal and vertical lines right. This often means holding your phone at chest or waist level rather than eye level; you’ll need to play around to get it right but it really makes all the difference.

What’s the one most common mistake?

The best shots can take time to achieve, so I’d say the most common error is to rush things. Before starting to take a photo, if you take time to tidy away any clutter, consider how best to frame your shot and what items to include, you’ll achieve a much stronger image.

Is it better to set up a styled shot?

The best photos tell a story, so think about what story you’re trying to tell, and choose your props and how to put them together accordingly. I’ll often include something natural such as flowers, foliage or seashells and something vintage, both of which can add texture and character.

What’s your view on image filters?

Enhancing images is an inherent part of the photographic process – it’s how you ‘develop’ the photo and can help you achieve an appealing and impactful final image. Having said that, I personally like a photo to look natural so would advise using filters with a light touch.

Natural light or artificial lights on?

Natural light, every time! It’s always best to turn overhead lights off, although if you’re capturing a cosy corner, for example, lighting a table lamp will create a lovely warm atmosphere.

If someone wants to progress from using a phone, which camera would you recommend?

It will depend on their budget but also on what else they’d like to use the camera for, which will determine things like how heavy it should be, or whether they want to be able to change lenses. I always recommend finding a local camera shop, as they will give advice and you can try cameras out before making the decision to buy. If they sell second-hand cameras even better, as you can often pick up equipment in pristine condition at a more affordable price.