How to Transform Everyday Spaces into Editorial Photoshoot Locations

You don’t need a mansion, a fancy studio, or a perfectly designed home to create editorial-style photos. An editorial photoshoot is less about the space itself and more about how you use light and storytelling to transform ordinary rooms into visually compelling scenes for photos that feel just like you.

By learning to see your everyday spaces with intention and creativity, you can turn bedrooms, kitchens, living rooms, and even bathrooms into backdrops for images that feel authentic to you.

This guide will show you how to unlock that potential in your own home.

Key Takeaways:

• What makes a photo feel editorial

• The importance of lighting

• How to declutter for impact

• Turning everyday rooms into a backdrop for editorial photos

What Makes a Photo Feel “Editorial”?

An editorial photo feels less like it was posed for the camera and more like a moment pulled from a story. It’s the kind of image you’d expect to see in the pages of a magazine, not a stiff studio setup.

During an editorial photoshoot, we focus on natural light, storytelling, guided movement, and thoughtful styling. All that to say, I want to capture you in your natural environment, doing the things you do every day—baking, snuggling on the couch, reading a book, sipping coffee, watching a movie with your family.

There’s beauty in the ordinary.

Start With the Light, Not the Room

When creating editorial images, the most important element isn’t the size of the space or how it’s decorated—it’s the light. Beautiful editorial photos begin by identifying where the light is strongest and most flattering, then letting the room support it.

Of course, I can help you choose the rooms in your home that work best for an editorial photoshoot. As you begin to think about it, though, here are a few considerations:

• Look for directional natural light

• Pay attention to how light changes throughout the day

• Use imperfect light creatively

• Build the scene around the window

In an editorial photoshoot, light leads the way. When you start there, even the most ordinary space becomes intentional and visually compelling.

Declutter for Impact (Not Perfection)

Your space doesn’t have to be spotless or perfectly styled to capture beautiful photos. Editorial images thrive on simplicity and authenticity, not perfection. It’s about focusing on what matters and letting the story shine.

Here’s what I mean by that:

• Focus on what’s essential: Remove distractions that don’t serve the image (extra clutter, mismatched items, everyday mess, etc.)

• Don’t sterilize: It’s not your goal to have a home straight out of a magazine. A carefully placed throw, a favorite mug, or a textured pillow can add personality and authenticity.

• Negative space is okay: Empty areas of the frame allow the eye to rest and emphasize the people in the photos.

• Less is more: Anything that doesn’t support the mood can be simplified or removed.

Simplicity and authenticity photograph better than “perfect” spaces. It’s already perfect because it feels just like you.

Turning Everyday Rooms Into Editorial Sets

Everyday rooms have so much potential for an editorial photoshoot. The key is to see each space as a backdrop for story, light, and texture, rather than just a functional room. Here’s how to approach the most common spaces in your home.

Bedroom

• The bed as an anchor: Use the bed for sitting, lounging, or small movements like stretching or reading.

• Textures and layers: Neutral linens, soft throws, and subtle pillows create depth without clutter.

• Light matters: Position near a window for soft, flattering light. Morning or late afternoon light works best.

Kitchen

• Clean surfaces: Remove unnecessary items, but leave a few intentional pieces, such as a plate of cookies, a favorite mug, or a bowl of fruit. And maybe do the dishes beforehand!

• Hands in motion: Capture natural gestures like pouring, chopping, or stirring.

• Lived-in feel: A few small details can make the space feel approachable.

Living Room

• Guide the eye: Use furniture lines, rugs, or decor to create visual pathways that focus the eye on the people in the photo.

• Cozy moments: Use natural poses like sitting, leaning, or interacting with objects.

• Neutral and layered styling: Minimal props with texture add polish without clutter.

Bathroom

• Focus on simplicity: Remove excess products, leaving only a few carefully chosen items.

• Use reflections creatively: Mirrors and tiles can introduce layers.

• Capture ritual moments: Brushing hair, washing hands, or applying lipstick can create intimate editorial storytelling.

Creating a Story Within the Space

You don’t need a perfectly styled and trendy home to create gorgeous images. An editorial photoshoot is all about telling your story, and that includes the home you live in. If it doesn't feel like you, what’s the point?

Editorial photography is about telling a story in a single image. A glance, a stretch, or a laugh turns an ordinary room into an image that feels true to you.

Editorial Beauty Lives in the Ordinary

Editorial photography proves that you don’t need a fancy location or expensive props to create stunning images. It’s all about how you use the space around you to tell your story. Even the most ordinary rooms can transform into editorial sets.

When you embrace the ordinary with a creative eye, you unlock timeless photos that feel both personal and aspirational. Everyday spaces become canvases, and every moment has the potential to tell a story worth photographing.

Editorial beauty is already in your home, waiting to be discovered.

Book an editorial photoshoot with me to tell your story!

FAQs About an Editorial Photoshoot

Do I need a “perfect” home for editorial photos?

No. Editorial photography isn’t about perfection—it’s about light, mood, and intention. Even the simplest spaces can photograph beautifully when we focus on strong natural light, clean composition, and thoughtful styling.

What if my space is small or cluttered?

Small spaces actually photograph well! We don’t photograph entire rooms—we photograph moments, angles, and details. Before your session, I’ll guide you on what to clear or rearrange so the space feels intentional without feeling empty.

Will you help me choose which rooms to use?

Of course! I always assess the light first, then recommend the best areas to shoot in. Sometimes, the most unexpected corner turns out to be the strongest editorial backdrop.

What if my home doesn’t match a specific aesthetic?

That’s okay! Editorial photography adapts to your environment. Neutral tones, natural light, and intentional framing allow us to create images that feel elevated without changing who you are or how you live.