Dreaming of an Apartment Therapy home feature? Drop your questions here! 🏠

DanielaAraya
DanielaAraya Posts: 453 âś­
edited November 5 in Before & Afters

Ever wondered what it takes to get your home featured in a House Call or House Tour on Apartment Therapy? This post is for you! Whether you're in the middle of a home project or have already completed one, read on for some of our top FAQs and best tips on standing out and getting featured.

Frequently asked questions:

What's the difference between a house call and a house tour?

Both are glimpses into inspiring real homes. House tours are a bit of a longer peek inside if we’re able to send our own AT photographer to capture the home, or if the homeowner/renter has a lot of photos. House calls are a shorter look, usually using images that the person submits.

Do I need to have professional photography to submit my home?

Absolutely not! But if you’d like some tips for capturing your home’s style in its best light for consideration, below are some things to consider:

Tips for taking your photos:

  • Take “before” photos. Your “before” photo should be taken by you so that we know we have permission to run it. It should include as much of the space (or item) that you’re making over as possible. While a horizontal is preferred, sometimes spaces are too tiny to make that possible.
  • Include as much information about your home as possible. Sometimes our editors receive submissions that have little to no accompanying text, which makes it hard to figure out what the story of the project is. The more details you can include, the better! Details on what the "before" felt like, the process, and even things like product credits and paint colors in the "after.
  • Make sure your “after” photos include the whole room. If you’re submitting a room redo, make sure that your “after” shots include as much of the full room as possible. You can include detail shots as well, but it’s really helpful to see a full room to get a sense of where things are.
  • Take your “after” photos from the same angle as the “before.” This isn't always possible, but we love to see it when it is! It's so gratifying to see exactly how a space changed. Our readers love to compare before and after shots of the same area.
  • Take “straight” shots (and skip the wide angle and fish eye lens). Try to keep your camera or smartphone straight up and down (parallel to the walls) when you snag your shots. You can always use a tripod to take the straightest photos. 
  • Shoot your photos in natural light when available. Your shots will look cleaner and your white balance (when the white surfaces in your photo look white and not yellow or blue) will be easier to get right. Try to photograph during the early morning hours or the late afternoon, or whenever the light is best in your home. Throw open blinds, curtains, and even doors to get as much natural light inside.
  • Use one type of lighting per photo. Meaning, don’t mix different temperatures and lighting types in one photo. You’ll find your photos are much more natural-looking this way.
  • Clean your lens. Use a microfiber rag to gently wipe away any smudges or dirt. Honestly, it makes all the difference!
  • Take “whole room” shots. Readers don’t just want to see close-ups of design details (those are fine in the mix, but don't only submit these) — they want to understand how a room is arranged and how the design looks as a whole. Try to capture your main rooms in their entirety so we can understand your whole space.
  • Don’t submit watermarks or Instagram screenshots, please. We want original photos.
  • Hide clutter, wires, and close your toilet lids! Don't feel pressure to style your homes like a magazine shoot, but try to avoid shooting images of clutter, which can distract from your home’s gorgeous decor. 
  • Images of pets are encouraged but avoid photos of yourself or other people.
    We love seeing furry friends in photos, but photos of people (even if it’s just someone’s hand or foot) are a no-no. Keep it about the decor!

How to submit your home:

Still have a question on your mind? Ask below! We can't wait to see your submissions