As a participant of ten ORC events (including the first ever!), Jennifer of The Pink Pagoda is a sage of ORC knowledge. We asked her what aspect of the event she thinks should never be overlooked.

In my opinion, the importance of the reveal photos can sometimes be overlooked.

You’ve been working nonstop for almost 8 weeks and have created a transformation you’re very proud of. You’re EXHAUSTED, but now it’s time to take the reveal photos that reflect the beautiful space you’ve created. Do you:

A) Phone it in by spending a few minutes snapping less than ideal photos.

B) Decide your breathtaking project simply must be seen in all its glory and take the steps necessary to shoot photos that reflect your brilliant design and flawless execution.

Hopefully you chose B because STILL IMAGES ARE IMPORTANT. I keep seeing people create amazing reels for reveal week, but then skip taking still images. If you’re wanting your project to be featured on social media and websites, you need quality stills. And, if you want to work with brands, the still images are even more important.

I’m absolutely a novice when it comes to interior photography, but below I’ve compiled some specific tips that made such a difference in my ORC reveal photos.

As you’re working on your room, keep a note on your phone of what times of day you notice the natural light is bright enough for a well-lit image, but not so bright that it’s creating harsh shadows. Also, make sure all your lamps and overhead lights are off while you’re taking photos.
It’s SO important to make sure your camera, whether it’s a DSLR or your phone, is eye-level to what you’re photographing and level with the floor. Sometimes this may mean the camera needs to be waist-height. The camera also needs to be level with the floor and any vertical lines in your room should be parallel to the edges of your frame. I can’t overstate how much better interior photos look when the camera was straight-on and level and the geometry/proportions of the room look right.
The easiest way to get nice level photos that are sharp is to use a tripod. You don’t need a fancy one, and they even make mini ones for iPhones.

I took the photo on the left from a ridiculously high perspective, and the photo on the right was my re-shoot. Side by side you can see how much more natural and appealing it looks when the camera is at eye-level of what’s in the middle of the photo. My re-shoot photo was overexposed and it made the window look blown out, which is another interior photography no-no. Like I said, I’m a rube.

If you’re using a DSLR, don’t use the wide angle lenses real estate photographers use, because they’ll distort your room in an unflattering way. I would ignore real estate photography advice in general since it’s very different from interior design photography.
Clean your lens before you start, especially if you’re using your phone.
Get plenty of horizontal and vertical images. Horizontal images do best on web, and vertical images do best on social media.
I also highly recommend getting at least a few close-up shots.
Electrical outlets, light switches, vents, cords, etc. are distracting from your design and can be removed easily in post-processing.
Having at least one live plant in your photo is basically guaranteed to improve it.

For inspiration, check out the portfolios of the following interior design photographers: Ali Harper, Read McKendree, Aimée Mazzenga, and Max Kim-Bee.

If you’re looking for product recommendations, this is a good resource.

I’m so proud to be part of the One Room Challenge community. Where else could anyone find such a large, enthusiastic, creative, and talented group cheering each other on as they’re all transforming a room? Can’t wait to see the reveals in a few weeks!

Community Spotlight: The Pink Pagoda on Photographing Your Finished Room

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