Creating an Insta-Worthy Kitchen

Want to transform your space into a visual masterpiece fit for a photoshoot? Or simply just want your kitchen to work the best it can for you? Read on! From mastering lighting techniques to fine-tuning composition, we'll show you how to elevate your home's personality through a camera lens.

Every corner, curve, and décor choice plays a role in revealing your home's personality. When capturing its essence through the lens of a camera, styling and lighting become crucial in creating a sense of elegance and sophistication - not only by highlighting physical features, but crafting a narrative through texture and colour.

What's your Aesthetic?

Ensuring your kitchen shoot aligns with your home's aesthetic is essential to creating a visual narrative that feels authentic. 
When styling for a photoshoot, factors such as colour and style should be taken into account. Is it modern and minimalist, with clean lines and neutral tones? Or does it exude warmth and comfort, with rustic finishes and earthy hues to enhance personality? 

Product Focus: Opera A5 Range Cooker

In this image, Smeg's widest A5-81 150cm Opera cooker effortlessly blends into this traditional yet contemporary kitchen, becoming the focal point of the space. The wooden cabinetry, white marbled worktops, Herringbone flooring and copper accents work wonderfully together with the stainless steel of the cooker to create a warm and inviting space for some serious cooking!

Image credit: @_beth_davis 

The Importance of Lighting

Lighting is a fundamental element of any space, especially when photographing - influencing every aspect of the image, from visibility and exposure to mood and composition. Understanding how to manipulate light effectively, whether natural or artificial, is also key. Schedule your shoot during prime sunlight hours and positioning products near windows or glass doors may help you maximise natural light. When using artifical lighting, opt for soft, diffused lighting sources like floor lamps or pendant lights to create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Use directional lighting to highlight specific design features of your products and cast captivating shadows that will give your compositions more depth and character.

Product Focus: Opera Induction Range Cooker

In this photo, Smeg's A2PYID-81 100cm Opera cooker in stainless steel, slots seamlessly into the room's ambiance. Enhanced by natural light streaming through the large French doors, the space is bathed in a soft, airy glow. Against a backdrop of wooden cabinetry and white worktops and flooring, the cooker gleams. This carefully orchestrated lighting scheme elevates the visual allure of the scene, casting the cooker as a radiant centerpiece of the sunlit kitchen.

Image Credit: @pete.helme 

Composition and Placement

Composition is essential when highlighting your appliance in a photograph. You should emphasise key design elements of the product, whether it's the sleek lines of an oven or the retro charm of a toaster, by placing them prominently within the shoot to draw attention. Experiment with layering to add depth and dimension, placing smaller items in the foreground for intimacy while using larger pieces as anchor points to draw the viewer in and provide context. Explore composition techniques like the Rule of Thirds where you position your Smeg appliances along grid lines or intersections, to create a balanced and visually pleasing layout. 

Product Focus: Dolce Stil Novo Built-In Ovens

In this photograph, Smeg's Dolce Stil Novo ovens are housed above one another in an in-column layout within a deep, moody-coloured unit which stretches the height of the ceiling. The copper detailing on the ovens adds that finishing touch to the luxe, modern space. The Rule of Thirds has been used to create this image, with a clear focus on the appliances positioned on the left side of the frame, while smaller items have been strategically placed on the right side to provide visual balance.

Image Credit: @annastathakiphoto

Co-ordinating with Colour

Colour co-ordination in your photoshoot is important as it can add depth and dimension to your visual storytelling. Choose complementary or contrasting colours, pops of colour, or perhaps a monochromatic scheme for a unified look. You should also consider factors like tone, saturation, and the mood you want to convey in the photoshoot.

Product Focus: Victoria Range Cooker

When photographing Smeg's Victoria appliances, selecting colours that complement the timeless aesthetic is key. In these photos, the rich green tones of the cabinets adorned with gold handles, provide a luxurious contrast to the glossy black Smeg Victoria cooker, while the exposed brickwork adds texture and warmth to the space. This carefully curated colour palette creates a harmonious and eye-catching composition.

Image credit:  @mortimer_photography @theshakerworkshop
 

Personalising your Space

Incorporating lifestyle and personal elements into your photography will enrich your storytelling and create visually appealing imagery. Mirroring activities and environments where your audience interacts with their appliances will capture moments that feel authentic, inviting and more memorable.

Product Focus: Symphony Cooker & FAB Fridge

The first image welcomes us into a bright, earthy-toned kitchen oozing with serenity. The Smeg 90cm Symphony Cooker, nestled between the kitchen cabinets, adds a touch of sophistication to the space, while a human presence brings warmth to the scene, making it feel lived-in and relatable. Contrastingly, the second image transports us to a traditional kitchen, full of nostalgia and charm. Here, Smeg's Sea Salt Green FAB28 retro fridge steals the spotlight, exuding vintage appeal alongside a Cream Stand Mixer. The cosy atmosphere is further enhanced by the adorable presence of a dog, which adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the room and makes the space feel more inviting and relatable to viewers.

Image credit @ french and tye @thevenetianpantry

Maximising Space

To create the perfect kitchen shoot, a fantastic design tip is to utilise space effectively. Declutter worktops of all but essential items, and use strategic lighting and reflective surfaces to create a clean and spacious appearance. Additionally, ensure that the furniture you choose is proportional to the size of your kitchen, as oversized pieces can overwhelm the space.

Product Focus: Portofino Range Cooker

Hero’d in this stunning natural kitchen is Smeg’s CPF92 Portofino induction cooker in a sophisticated textured anthracite finish, Its bold presence contrasts with the soft green units and textured wood accents, creating a harmonious balance of modernity and warmth. But what works so well here is the use of light and space. Large windows invite the outdoors in, while the clever layout suggests a social atmosphere, with an open plan dining table and island all in shot.

Image credit: @ chris snook