Top 7 Mistakes to Avoid in Architectural Photography
June 3, 2025
Architectural and interior photography might look effortless in the final image, but behind the scenes, it takes a lot of skill, planning and precision. Whether you’re a homeowner, real estate agent or architect looking to showcase your space — or even an aspiring photographer — knowing what to avoid is just as important as knowing what to do.
Here are the top 7 mistakes to avoid if you want professional, impactful architectural photos:
1. Ignoring the Importance of Lighting
Lighting is everything in architectural photography. Relying only on available light (like overhead fixtures or sunlight through windows) can leave spaces looking flat or uneven.
Professional tip: Blend natural light with artificial lighting (strobes or flash) and use multiple exposures and post-processing to create depth, balance and warmth.
2. Using the Wrong Lens
Wide-angle lenses are essential for capturing interiors, but using one that’s too wide can distort rooms unnaturally, making walls curve or furniture look stretched. I use two Canon TS-E tilt-shift lenses and prefer to use my 24mm whenever possible, rather than the wider 17mm. You can always fix distortion in post, but the image will always look more natural if you use a lens with a narrower field of view. You can read more about the equipment I use and recommend here.
Professional tip: Stick to architectural-specific lenses like tilt-shift lenses and avoid going wider than necessary — usually around 16–24mm on a full-frame camera.
3. Poor Composition and Framing
Randomly framing a room without thought often leads to messy or unbalanced images.
Professional tip: Use strong vertical and horizontal lines to guide the viewer’s eye. Always keep walls straight and parallel. Think carefully about angles — sometimes a slight move left or right makes all the difference.
4. Skipping Proper Staging
Even the most beautiful space can look cluttered or uninviting if it’s not properly staged. Messy cables, wrinkled bedding or crooked chairs will stand out in a high-resolution photo.
Professional tip: Spend time tidying, straightening and sometimes even removing unnecessary objects to make the space feel open, clean and welcoming.
5. Over-Editing in Post-Production
It’s tempting to crank up the contrast, oversaturate colours or make a space look unrealistically bright — but heavy-handed editing can make photos feel fake and lose credibility.
Professional tip: Focus on subtle edits. Correct colour balance, blend exposures carefully and try to preserve the natural character of the space.
6. Ignoring Reflections and Shadows
Mirrors, windows, polished floors — all can catch unwanted reflections of the photographer, gear or lighting equipment.
Professional tip: Always check reflections before shooting. Move lights or yourself slightly out of frame or plan to correct small reflections in post-production.
7. Not Preparing a Shot List
Going into a shoot without a clear plan can lead to missed opportunities, on-the-job stress or rushed work.
Professional tip: Prepare a shot list in advance. Think about key features you need to capture (the view, the kitchen, unique details) and create a logical flow that tells the story of the space.
Conclusion
Avoiding these common mistakes is essential for creating polished, professional architectural and interior photos that truly showcase a space at its best.
If you’re looking for professional architectural photography in Cyprus that highlights your property, project or design, get in touch. I bring technical precision, creative vision and years of experience to every shoot.
Contact me today to discuss your next project!