Whether you’re a professional photographer looking to improve your portrait sessions or a business owner using thrones to create stunning visual content for clients and events, mastering throne photography is probably at the top of your priority list.
This guide shares professional photo tips, creative throne shoot ideas, and lighting inspiration to help you create memorable snaps for your clients.
Setting the Scene - Start with the Backdrop
The throne should always be the visual anchor of your shoot. Here are some options that will help to set the scene:
Minimalism
Perfect for commercial portraits or fashion shoots. A clean background (such as matte black or cream) makes the throne and subject stand out. Use controlled lighting to create dimension and mood.
Opulence
Style your scene with draped fabrics, chandeliers, mirrors, and gold accents for a royal or vintage aesthetic. These setups are perfect for bridal portraits or brand campaigns selling elegant or luxurious items.
Themed
Lean into your creativity and put your throne to great use. Theme your set on castles, winter wonderlands, or enchanted forests. These can work particularly well for themed birthday parties and weddings.
Outdoor
Thrones aren’t exclusively used for indoor shoots. Placing a striking white & gold throne (see our stunning Neverland Throne as the perfect example) in a forest clearing creates a surreal contrast. The natural light of the great outdoors can help to create stunning shoots with minimal effort.
Lighting & Thrones - Crucial Considerations
You don’t need us to tell you that lighting can make or break your shoot. The fact that thrones have reflective surfaces, textured upholstery, and intricate carvings demands thoughtful lighting appropriate to your chosen setting and backdrop. Here’s what you should consider:
Studio Lighting
Most throne photographers begin with a three-point lighting setup: key light, fill light, and back light.
Position your key light slightly above and to the side of your subject to sculpt their face and emphasize expression. Use a fill light on the opposite side at a lower intensity to soften shadows and preserve depth without flattening the image.
Add a backlight behind the throne to separate the subject from the background and create a halo-like edge glow. We advise you to use coloured gels sparingly and to keep any background lighting subtle.
Natural Lighting
Natural lighting can create stunning, authentic throne portraits. Position the throne near a large window where soft daylight can fall gently across the subject’s face and body for indoor shoots.
Use sheer curtains or diffusers to control brightness and prevent overexposure, especially on reflective throne details like gold trim or metallic finishes. A white reflector opposite the light source can add control.
Timing is key for outdoor throne shoots. The golden hour (soon after sunrise or just before sunset) casts a naturally soft and warm tone for the shoot.
Avoid harsh midday light unless you have diffusers or shade, as it can flatten features and create unwanted glare. Position the subject so the sun sits behind or to the side.
Creative Lighting
Unlike natural or studio lighting, this approach is about colour and imagination. Use colored gels sparingly on your lights to add vibrancy to the shoot and to create contrasts.
You may also experiment with side or under-lighting to add shadows to the portraits, while an above-subject spotlighting casts them (and the throne) as the center of attention.
Composition & Framing
Regarding composition, ensuring that the throne is the focal point makes a lot of sense. Here are some expert tips to consider when framing the perfect snap:
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Center the throne and subject: Ensure symmetry and have the subject and throne at the center of your picture. This is true regardless of the throne you opt for.
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Leading lines can be helpful: Using leading lines like drapes or positioning the spotlight in a specific direction can help draw the viewer’s eye towards the subject.
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Shoot from below eye level: Shooting below eye level can add power and height to the picture, which is ideal if you’re going for a majestic, royal photo shoot.
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Remove clutter: Clutter will draw attention away from the subject and throne. Minimalism works really well for a throne photographer, whether inside or outside.
Post-Production & Editing
Throne photography benefits from subtle editing, highlighting the richness and craftsmanship of the chair itself. Begin by enhancing contrast and clarity to bring out the metallic finishes and carved details that give the throne its character.
At the same time, soften skin tones to create a natural look, avoiding an overly retouched appearance. Adjust color temperature to match your theme and experiment with overlays like mist, sparkle, or soft glow effects to introduce atmosphere and intrigue.
Bespoke Thrones for Pro Photo Shoots
Many professional photographers have worked with Throne Kingdom seating. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in our thrones make them brilliant to work with, offering elegance and style without much post-production work.
Our Royal Thrones are a great starting point if you’re looking for the focal point of your professional shoot, whether you photograph weddings, birthday parties, or other special events. For something extra special, explore our Sovereign Throne collection, home to the most beautiful Throne Kingdom pieces.
If you have any questions about using our thrones in a photo shoot, feel free to contact us. You can also follow our Royal Seat Blog for regular tips and updates.