We sat down with real estate guru Yoko Kasai to discover her secrets to capturing breathtaking interior pictures.

Pinterest is the mecca for gorgeous interior pictures that inspire and empower homeowners to show off their design chops. Naturally, taking pictures that check these boxes is no easy task, especially for amateur photographers. So, we reached out to someone who has made a living showcasing gorgeous homes through captivating photography, Co-founder of Front Porch Realty, Yoko Kasai. 

Here’s how this real estate guru collects award-winning shots of every home within her portfolio.

The core element of Pinterest-worthy pictures

For Yoko, a great interior picture isn’t just about style – it’s about a feeling. “Every picture on Pinterest tells a story. These stories remain long after the picture fades,” she emphasizes.

In other words, to take truly memorable pictures of your home, you need to pick, arrange, and capture your furniture pieces in a way that evokes the viewer’s emotions.

Say you want to photograph your kitchen. In this case, Yoko suggests adding subtle touches like a loaf of bread on a cutting board and a pot of herbs on the windowsill to convey the warmth and hospitality of the room. Close-up shots of these elements will invite the viewer to enjoy a moment of comfort and relaxation within the space.

5 easy steps to capture stunning interior pictures

Here are the five steps Yoko offers to capture the personality of every room through the camera lens.

Step 1. Elevate your space with smart staging

You can’t take stunning interior pictures without thoughtful furniture arrangement and decoration. Creating a room layout that highlights its most appealing features – in other words, “staging” your room – will engage the viewer and draw attention away from any blemishes like chipped paint or worn flooring.

In Yoko’s experience, adjusting the lighting is the easiest way to start your staging journey. By experimenting with different sources, you can set your desired ambiance without committing to major layout changes, such as repainting or installing new flooring. For example, a warm pendant light above your dining table will soften the shadows in your space and create an inviting atmosphere.

Another trick Yoko likes to use is experimenting with different textures to create an immersive design. Layering materials creates depth in your space, enhancing the overall sensory experience. Plus, even the smallest details can make a huge difference, such as pairing your smooth velvet couch with knit throw pillows to make the room appear more dynamic and visually interesting.

To give every design piece the space to shine, remove any cords and check surfaces for spots that the camera might exaggerate. The goal is to tidy up without making your room look unnaturally polished.

Once you’ve straightened up the space, use your phone to take a few photos from different angles. Your room looks different on camera than in real life; this step will give you a clear idea of how viewers will experience your space. By previewing your design, you’ll be able to make any necessary adjustments before starting your photoshoot.

Step 2. Choose the right equipment for your unique situation

Many amateur photographers assume they need high-end gear to create evocative photos of their homes. But unless you’re taking pictures for a real estate listing (the one case where Yoko recommends working with a professional), the only equipment you’ll likely need is your mobile phone.

Convenient and user-friendly, a smartphone is the ideal option to capture stunning pictures with ease, especially for newbie photographers. If you want to tinker more with your image style and lens focus, she suggests using a digital camera. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be able to adjust settings like exposure and aspect ratio to convey the mood of your room.

For more convenience during your photoshoot, a tripod enables you to fine-tune your camera’s positioning and reduce the likelihood of blurry images. Keeping your device fixed also gives you more control over the composition, so you can experiment with different staging without losing your angle.

Step 3. Nail your composition

Your photo composition – the arrangement of visual elements within your camera frame – is just as important as staging itself. Aesthetically pleasing composition amplifies the room’s personality, transforming any picture into a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece.

One easy way to nail your composition is by using the Rule of Thirds to guide your camera. Essentially, you need to divide your frame with a 3x3 grid (most devices have the option in their menu or settings) and position key elements (such as your wall decor or chandelier) at the intersections of the grid lines. For instance, you could align larger furniture – such as your sofa or dining table – with the horizontal lines and place a statement piece – like a potted plant or a piece of artwork – at one of the intersections to create a harmonious, engaging composition. 

While your camera grid is pulled up, use it to ensure the lines of every object in your frame are straight before you press the shutter. This small step will instantly improve the symmetry and flow of your pictures, seamlessly guiding the viewer through the space.

With these techniques in mind, go ahead and snap some photos. You’ll quickly get a feel for the composition that can achieve your desired effects. At this step of the photoshoot, Yoko highly recommends experimenting with your angles.

“Different angles accomplish different goals,” she explains. “You need to find the ones that show the true potential of your space.”

For example, a wider, more elevated angle would be more appropriate to convey a sense of openness and balance. That is because wide angles make your room look more spacious and convey the relationship between your furniture pieces, while close-up shots bring the viewer closer to the intricate details of your home. 

Step 4. Touch up your pictures with an editing app

Sometimes, dark corners and uneven lighting make it difficult to capture the authentic ambiance of your space. This is where a dedicated photo editing app comes into play.

“You don’t need to fully overhaul your photos,” reminds Yoko. “A bit of fine-tuning is enough to correct lighting inconsistencies, make colors pop, and bring out the unique elements in your design.”

Even a quick touch-up can completely transform the look and feel of your room. A typical example from Yoko’s day-to-day includes increasing the saturation to make her space warmer and more inviting.

If this is your first time editing pictures, Yoko recommends checking out video tutorials to get ideas for your editing process. Her go-to sources are Phlearn by photographer and Photoshop expert Aaron Nace and Clearly Ed by Ed Gregory, an artist and photographer offering weekly editing tips. Alternatively, you can learn as you go, using your phone’s built-in settings or an app like Adobe Lightroom and VSCO to experiment with different color grading, blur, and focus. 

Once you’ve finished editing, save your polished pictures as copies so you don’t lose the originals. This way, you can always go back and try out new ideas.

Step 5. Use a modern interior design tool

Even when you follow best practices, you might feel like you haven’t fully captured your design vision. To bridge this gap, Yoko recommends using an interior design tool like Onton (formerly Deft) to generate and explore interior images that ignite your creativity.

“Tools like Onton empower us to experiment with design so we can convey the true essence of the space in our photos,” shares Yoko.

Imagine you want to change your kitchen flooring, but you’re unsure what options would create the desired effect for your layout. With Onton Imagine, you can visualize different materials and colors in seconds to find the perfect blend before committing to substantial renovations.

Interior design platforms are especially useful if you don’t have a concrete idea for your preferred style and layout. In fact, Yoko loves to browse Onton Discover’s roomscapes with first-time homebuyers, helping them develop their design vision with pre-made inspiration. 

Plus, these tools are extremely cost-efficient for aspiring and seasoned designers alike.

Create professional interior images in seconds with Onton

Creating captivating interior images has never been easier, thanks to Onton’s next-generation search and inspiration engine. Experiment with multiple layouts, styles, and furniture pieces to enhance your home’s appeal with stunning staging. Or, explore the staging ideas that other interior designers have generated with Onton Discover.

Onton Imagine 

Onton Imagine empowers you to generate photorealistic renditions of your home in seconds. All you need to do is upload a picture of your space and tell Onton what style and furniture you’d like to add. Or, simply describe your space and watch Onton’s AI interior designer bring your vision to life in seconds.

Best of all, you can tweak and remove any layout elements – from your mantelpiece and sofa to your lighting fixtures – with any paid Onton plan.

Onton Discover 

Spark your creativity with Onton Discover’s gallery of beautiful interior designs across over 40 different styles. From Hollywood Glam to Shabby Chic and Farmhouse, it inspires you to experiment with diverse aesthetics to uncover your design identity. 

Onton Discover’s roomscape collection is the perfect place to explore new furniture, layouts, and interior perspectives so you can create the space of your dreams. If a piece catches your eye, simply click on it – Onton will identify it in seconds so you can purchase it without endless online search. 

Sign up for free and see how Onton Imagine can help you create compelling, photorealistic interior photos!