You don't need the 'right' camera, perfect weather, or a stylist on hand to take meaningful photos of your home. In fact, the most soulful images often come from the people who know the space best – you.

At The Shoot Academy, we see it all the time: homes with character, charm and potential that the owners don't quite see themselves. Or if they DO see it, they don't know how to capture it. The truth is, photographing your home isn't about achieving perfection – it's about capturing the mood, the feeling, and the story of the space.

In our latest podcast episode, we sat down with the wonderful Becca Cherry – photographer, designer, and co-author of A Home for All Seasons – to talk all things styling, natural light and interior photography. What struck us most about Becca wasn't just her expertise, but her approach: kind, true, considered and gentle. She has this wonderful aura that immediately puts you at ease, and her philosophy around home photography is refreshingly honest.

The conversation is packed with wisdom, but today we want to go one step further. This blog is your gentle nudge to pick up your phone and start seeing your home through your own lens.

1. It's not about the camera

Your iPhone is more powerful than you think. Becca reminded us that some of her favourite shots start life on a phone. What matters more is the light, the texture, the thought behind the frame. You don't need ‘all the gear’ to tell a story – you need to notice what's already beautiful.

2. Mood matters more than mess

The best shoots aren't always pristine. A draped coat, a half-read book, a cup on the table – these are the moments that bring soul to a space. Becca encourages looking for emotion and movement. Think about how your home feels at a certain time of day, or which corner always catches your eye. That's the shot.

3. Start with light

Natural light is your best friend. South or southwest facing rooms tend to be bright and warm throughout the day, giving you that consistent, inviting glow that makes spaces feel alive. But even a dark corner can be magic at the right time. Avoid harsh midday sun, and don't be afraid of cloudy days – they often give the softest, dreamiest light.

4. Try this

Pick one room. Turn off the ceiling lights. Wait for a good light moment (late morning, or golden hour). Choose one small scene: a chair, a windowsill, a corner table. Remove one thing. Then take a photo from three angles – high, low, straight on. Notice what feels best.

5. Build your confidence

If you're thinking about listing your home for shoots, this is a brilliant place to start. A few well-lit, honest photos can do wonders for attracting the right clients. They can also help you fall back in love with your home. We're more than happy for you to send us a couple of shots through for feedback too, so please shamelessly take advantage of this!

Speaking of building confidence, we go deeper on this inside The Course – it really is a one stop shop to give you the tools, resources and confidence you need to make the step into shoot location hosting at your home.

But for now: just begin.

You can listen to the full podcast episode with Becca Cherry here where Becca shares more of her gentle wisdom about creating authentic spaces and working with natural light. We're also excited to share that we have upcoming workshop sessions with Becca, alongside Kay and the TSA team – keep an eye out for those on social media and register your interest. Are You Shoot Curious? will bring you insight from three angles – styling, photography and shoots.

Doors to The Course – Becoming a Shoot Location Host – are open now, with our flexible £49 sign-up offer and no balance to pay until your first shoot is booked.

Start seeing your home differently – and showing it off with confidence.

Happy Hosting!
Suzie & Louise