Take After Photos
The final step in your renovation journey: documenting the transformation. Great after photos preserve this moment, showcase your investment, and provide valuable comparison to your before photos.
Quick Summary
Time needed
1-2 hours
Cost
Free
Best time
Mid-morning or afternoon
Why After Photos Are Important
You took before photos at the start of this journey. Now it's time to document the "after." These photos serve multiple purposes beyond just having pretty pictures of your kitchen.
After Photos Are Valuable For:
- • Insurance documentation of home improvements and current value
- • Future home sale listings - quality photos help sell homes
- • Comparing before/after to see the transformation and ROI
- • Sharing your success with friends, family, and social media
- • Leaving reviews for your contractor with visual proof of their work
- • Personal satisfaction - you'll love looking back at this accomplishment
Take your time with this step. You have a small window when your kitchen is pristine and empty before you move everything back in. This is the moment to capture it at its absolute best.
Preparing Your Kitchen for Photos
1. Deep Clean Everything
Your kitchen should be spotless. Clean before photos, not during. Every smudge and streak will show up in photographs.
Pre-Photo Cleaning Checklist:
- •Wipe down all countertops until they shine
- •Clean all glass surfaces (windows, cabinet glass, appliances)
- •Polish stainless steel appliances and fixtures
- •Sweep and mop floors until spotless
- •Remove all fingerprints from cabinet doors and hardware
- •Clean sink until it shines (no water spots)
2. Clear All Clutter
Your beautiful new kitchen should be the star. Remove everything that distracts from the architecture and design.
Remove:
- • All small appliances (toaster, coffee maker, etc.)
- • Dish soap, sponges, cleaning supplies
- • Mail, papers, keys, and daily clutter
- • Refrigerator magnets and notes
- • Trash cans and recycling bins
- • Dish drying rack and dishes
- • Personal items and medications
Optional Styling Items (Keep Minimal):
- • Fresh flowers in a simple vase (single arrangement)
- • Bowl of fresh fruit (lemons, apples, or pears look great)
- • One or two cookbooks artfully placed
- • Simple cutting board with fresh herbs
- • Clean dish towel (neutral color, neatly placed)
3. Perfect the Details
Small details make big differences in photos. Take a final walk through checking everything.
- •All cabinet doors and drawers fully closed and aligned
- •Light switches all in same position (all up or all down)
- •Towels hung evenly or removed entirely
- •Bar stools or chairs pushed in neatly
- •Window treatments open or positioned consistently
- •All light bulbs working (replace any burnt out bulbs)
Photography Techniques
Lighting Is Everything
Light makes or breaks interior photography. Natural light is your best friend.
Best Lighting Conditions:
- Time of day: Mid-morning (9-11am) or mid-afternoon (2-4pm)
- Weather: Bright but overcast is ideal - diffused light prevents harsh shadows
- Interior lights: Turn OFF ceiling lights (they create orange color cast)
- Windows: Open blinds/curtains but avoid direct sunlight streaming in
- Mixed lighting: If you must use interior lights, turn on ALL lights for even illumination
Pro Tip: Avoid shooting at night or in dark conditions. Photos will be grainy and colors won't look accurate. Wait for good natural light - it's worth it.
Camera Settings and Technique
You don't need professional equipment, but a few simple techniques dramatically improve results.
Smartphone Tips:
- • Clean your lens first (seriously - wipe it with soft cloth)
- • Hold phone horizontal (landscape), not vertical
- • Use gridlines in camera app to keep lines straight
- • Tap screen to set focus and exposure on your subject
- • Never use digital zoom - physically move closer instead
- • Use HDR mode if your phone has it (evens out lighting)
- • Take multiple shots of each angle - you can choose later
Camera Tips (DSLR/Mirrorless):
- • Use a wide-angle lens (16-35mm range) to capture full space
- • Shoot in aperture priority mode, f/8-f/11 for sharp focus
- • Set ISO as low as possible (100-400) for clean images
- • Use tripod if you have one (prevents blur, ensures level)
- • Shoot in RAW format if possible (more editing flexibility)
- • Set white balance to daylight or auto (adjust in editing)
Composition and Angles
Where you stand and how you frame the shot matters as much as your camera.
Essential Shots to Capture:
- 1.Corner angles (4 shots minimum): Stand in each corner shooting across the diagonal to show full space
- 2.Straight-on wall shots: Stand centered facing each wall of cabinets/appliances
- 3.Island or peninsula: Multiple angles showing how it relates to rest of kitchen
- 4.Entry view: What you see walking into the kitchen from main entrance
- 5.Adjacent room context: How kitchen connects to dining room or living space
Detail Shots (Get Close):
- • Countertop edge profile and material detail
- • Backsplash pattern and tile work
- • Cabinet hardware close-up
- • Sink and faucet from above
- • Range/cooktop and controls
- • Under-cabinet lighting (with lights on)
- • Any special features (pot filler, wine fridge, etc.)
- • Drawer organization systems
Creating Before & After Comparisons
The most powerful photos show the transformation. Match your after photos to your before photos for dramatic side-by-side comparisons.
How to Match Before Photos:
- •Look at your before photos and stand in the exact same spots
- •Hold camera at same height (chest height is standard)
- •Frame the shot to include the same elements and boundaries
- •Try to match the same time of day for similar lighting
- •Take several from each position to ensure you get a match
Where to Create Comparisons:
Many free tools make side-by-side comparisons easy:
- • Photo editing apps (Canva, PicCollage, Layout by Instagram)
- • Built-in collage features on iPhone/Android photo apps
- • Powerpoint or Google Slides (simple but effective)
- • Before & After apps specifically designed for this
Storing and Using Your Photos
Store Multiple Copies:
- • Cloud storage (Google Photos, iCloud, Dropbox) - automatic backup
- • Computer backup - create a "Kitchen Renovation" folder with before/after subfolders
- • Email yourself the best ones - they'll be searchable forever
- • External hard drive - secondary backup for all renovation documentation
Share and Use:
- • Leave contractor review with photos (Google, Yelp, Angi)
- • Share on social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest)
- • Add to home documentation file for insurance and future reference
- • Include in home listing when you eventually sell (quality photos sell homes)
- • Create a photo book as keepsake of the renovation journey
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best time of day to photograph my kitchen?
Shoot during daylight hours when natural light fills your kitchen. The best light is typically mid-morning (9-11am) or mid-afternoon (2-4pm) when sunlight is bright but not harsh. Avoid direct sunlight streaming through windows - soft, diffused natural light shows colors most accurately. Overcast days actually provide beautiful even lighting for interior photography.
Should I use my phone or a real camera for after photos?
Modern smartphones take excellent photos, especially newer iPhones and high-end Android phones. The key is having good light and shooting technique, not expensive equipment. If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, use it. But a smartphone with a good camera is perfectly adequate for documentation and social sharing. Just avoid using digital zoom - physically move closer instead.
How should I style my kitchen for after photos?
Less is more. Clear all counters of clutter, appliances, and daily items. Add 1-2 simple styling elements: fresh flowers in a vase, a bowl of lemons, or a cookbook. Keep it minimal - you want the kitchen itself to be the focus, not the accessories. Make sure everything is spotlessly clean and all cabinet doors/drawers are fully closed and aligned.
What angles should I photograph from?
Shoot from each corner of your kitchen to capture different perspectives. Stand back and shoot wide to show the full space. Hold camera at chest height for most shots (waist height makes ceilings look too high). Shoot straight on, not at an angle. Also take detail shots of special features: countertop edge, backsplash pattern, cabinet hardware, fixtures. Get at least 20-30 photos from various angles.
Why do my photos look yellow or orange?
This is a white balance problem. Your camera is compensating for indoor lighting (which is warm/yellow) instead of showing true colors. Best solution: shoot in natural daylight only, turn off all interior lights. If you must shoot with lights on, use your camera's white balance settings - most phones and cameras have an auto white balance that works well. For DSLRs, try the 'tungsten' or 'incandescent' white balance preset when shooting with lights on.
Congratulations!
You've completed your kitchen renovation journey. From planning and permits to the final photos, you've transformed your vision into reality.
Take a moment to appreciate what you've accomplished. Your new kitchen will serve your family for years to come, and you have the photos to remember this transformation forever.
Next steps:
- • Move your items back in and organize your new space
- • Register appliances and save all warranties
- • Leave reviews for your contractors and suppliers
- • Share your success - you've earned the bragging rights
- • Enjoy cooking and living in your beautiful new kitchen!