Michał Zagórny made his first professional steps more than 30 years ago in product and advertising photography. Today he is an acclaimed interior photographer whose work is defined by an unmistakable style. What he values most is honesty – natural light, mapping the proportions of the interior and clear communication with clients who are aware of their expectations. His wide-ranging portfolio includes shoots for the OIKOI studio, the RooM19 studio and the Deer Design planning and design firm, which he has been working with for the last five years.
Willingness and courage to develop – an extensive portfolio of the photographer with 30 years of experience
Michał Zagórny is a professional photographer (by education). He graduated from the Phototechnical School Complex in Warsaw and then further expanded his skills and knowledge at other schools. Eager for growth in his more than 30 years in the industry, he has taken on a variety of challenges. Prior to his decision to focus on interior photography, he had had product and advertising shoots to his credit, as well as numerous collaborations with publications. In 2010, he set up his own business in order to be able to operate independently, carrying out commissions that interest him.
Exploring a new path – a love for interior photography
September 2016. Since then, Michał Zagórny has been in the process of a new chapter in his professional life, although he did not initially expect a breakthrough at all. Everything started with a photo shoot for a friend. The owner of a real estate brokerage and sales agency needed help taking photos for one of her advertisements. The first photographed interior opened up completely new perspectives for Michał Zagórny. The passion proved so strong that, developing his own business as a photographer, he decided to fully dedicate himself to this domain.
What aspect of interior photography appealed to him most and what does he enjoy about his work? First and foremost, time. The chance to leisurely plan the shoot with a designer or stylist gives you the chance to create a more cohesive vision and refine the shots down to the minute detail. The all-day session is also an opportunity to follow the natural light as it changes from hour to hour. For the artist, light is one of his greatest inspirations, and he places great emphasis on its natural charm in his works.
What is your process for preparing for an interior photo shoot? Are there any key steps that you always take?
Before shooting, I always try to find out as much as possible about the interior in question. I find it particularly useful to know about the style of the design, the floor space and interesting elements worth highlighting. I also ask about the position in relation to the respective directions of the world in order to make appropriate use of the daylight coming into the room.
What is the importance of natural light in interior photography for you? How do you deal with situations where there is insufficient light?
Daylight is key for me. I often recall my mentor’s saying, ‘No one shines like God’. I shoot 99% of my photos with natural, ambient light indoors and I try to plan my sessions to take full advantage of its possibilities. The remaining 1% is when the weather conditions fail to achieve the right results – in which case, I resort to film light.
Do you prefer to photograph interiors with a particular décor or style, or do you adapt to different aesthetics?
I always try to adjust to the aesthetic of the indoor, but I’ve been told many times that I have a very recognisable style of photography, which is very nice to hear.
Do you have your favourite gear or piece of kit that you always take to your interior design shoots?
Yes, pretty much all of my shoots are done with a preview on a tablet. This gives me the opportunity to fine-tune the details in the frame right at the stage of creating the shot. On top of it, the stylist or designer can follow in real time what I am aiming at and how I want to feature a given space, which all in all makes communication and collaboration much easier.
How do you work with architects, interior designers or property owners to capture their vision in photographs?
It is very helpful when a designer or architect knows what’s important for them – it makes it very easy then to complete a satisfactory session for everyone. I like to work with people who know what they want and what and how they want to show it, although I always offer many of my own takes, which often gain approval.
What advice would you have for architects or interior designers who are planning to start working with an interior photographer?
For architects and interior designers who are planning to start working with an interior photographer, I would first and foremost advise to be clear about their goals and what they want to achieve with their photos. Knowing the key elements to be highlighted and being aware of the emotion and style of the interior to be conveyed is very helpful. It is also important to trust the photographer – everyone has their own style and way of looking at a space, and being open to their suggestions often leads to interesting and unconventional results.
It’s also a good idea to think about whether the interior is photo-ready before the shoot – tidying up the space, taking care of decorations or details that enhance the design can be crucial. The preparation of the interior and the time to discuss the vision in detail with the photographer are elements that significantly influence the final result.
