How to Plan a Long-Distance Interior Photography Shoot in South Carolina

Planning a photoshoot with an interior photographer in South Carolina, especially from out of state like Laura Yeager Smith’s team, requires clear communication, timing around install day, and a clear and well communicated process so creativity can flow.

The Inquiry: Working With a New Interior Photographer in South Carolina

When Laura Yeager Smith’s team reached out to me from Ohio to inquire about a photoshoot, I knew that I needed to come with all the details ready. I get a lot of interior designers from out of state looking for a photographer in Charleston, SC or the surrounding areas so I knew what kind of information Laura might need in order to feel confident in moving forward: 

• How does the photographer work and communicate?
• What type of images will be delivered for portfolio and marketing use?
• How much planning is required to photograph a project efficiently after install day?
• How far in advance does a shoot need to be scheduled?

All of these things are important details for scheduling a shoot immediately after install because I want my clients to feel confident that they’re in good hands. Additionally, I want the shoot to be our creative and collaborative time together. Nothing throws a wrench in creative work like revisiting the details of a contract or trying to figure out logistics; so all of that is established, discussed, and planned out well in advance of the photoshoot. 

Great Shoot Prep Helps Creativity Flow

Laura and her team did the install right before the shoot and while it’s usually a challenge to coordinate an install and a shoot, it worked out perfectly. Scheduling the shoot immediately after install day allowed us to photograph the space while it was fresh, styled, and ready for marketing use.

Knowing how much coordination an install is in its own right, it's important to me that I remove one less variable for the designer to worry about: the photography. I aim to make sure that Laura, the designer, knew I would be on-time, knew what I was shooting, and was prepared to capture her work for her portfolio. 

I love the photos we took. This project was for her long-time clients who are listing their second home as a vacation rental and I think the photos captured the coastal & vacation vibe perfectly.