What Is an Interior Design Photographer?
Interior design photography is the art of capturing the essence, detail, and story of a design space. Unlike real estate photography, which prioritizes speed and volume, interior design photography (often called editorial photography) is about patience, storytelling, and artistry.
For Michigan designers, whether you’re renovating a Detroit condo, styling a Grand Rapids loft, or refreshing a lakefront home in Traverse City, professional photography ensures your work is represented at the highest level. Let’s explore what interior design photography really is, how it differs from real estate photography, and why it matters for your brand.
How Interior Design Photography Differs from Real Estate Photography
Process
Real Estate Photography: Quick, high-volume shoots designed to sell homes. Photographers capture 30-40 images in a short visit, highlighting selling points for listings.
Interior Design Photography: Slow, intentional shoots often lasting half or full days, with a carefully curated set of around 20-30 images. Each shot is meticulously styled, composed, and reviewed.
Intent
Real Estate: Focused on speed, quick edits, and a broad audience of buyers.
Interior Design: Created with specific goals in mind; brand building, award submissions, or publication features. The intent is to inspire, not just inform.
Project Details
Interior photographers work collaboratively with designers, architects, and stylists to highlight unique elements of a project. Every angle, shadow, and design detail is considered. Nothing is left to chance.
Why Interior Design Photography Matters
Portfolio Building
Interior designers, architects, and builders across Michigan rely on editorial-style photography to showcase their best work. A strong portfolio demonstrates artistry and professionalism, making it easier to attract new clients and charge higher fees.
Publication Features
The stunning spreads you see in Detroit Home, Midwest Living, or national design magazines are created by editorial photographers. These images tell a story without words, capturing emotion and drawing the viewer in.
Brand Storytelling
Every design business has a unique identity. Interior photography helps you express that identity visually. Showcasing not just the finished space but the thought, skill, and passion behind it.
Awards & Recognition
Whether you’re entering a local Michigan design competition or national awards, professional images ensure your projects stand out. Judges and editors want to see depth, quality, and artistry in every frame.
The Role of Post-Production
One of the biggest differences between real estate and interior design photography lies in editing.
Real Estate Editing: Fast, efficient, surface-level corrections meant to quickly get homes online.
Interior Design Editing: Layered, meticulous editing using multiple exposures, fine adjustments, and color balancing. One image can take hours to perfect. But the result is a work of art that elevates the space.
Audience Differences
Real Estate Photography: Designed for homebuyers: a broad audience. The goal is to highlight the features quickly and clearly.
Interior Design Photography: Targeted at interior designers, architects, publications, and brand partners. The goal is to inspire, connect emotionally, and showcase artistry.
Final Thoughts
Interior design photography is more than documentation; it's storytelling through imagery. It captures the individuality of a space, the creativity of the designer, and the emotion of the story behind the project.
For Michigan professionals, investing in editorial style photography ensures your work stands out in Detroit's competitive design scene, Grand Rapids’ thriving creative community, and across the state’s growing market for high-end interiors.
Your designs deserve to be seen, remembered, and celebrated, and professional photography is the tool that makes that possible.
