La Cuadra, Casco Viejo: Interior Photography for Acomodo Rentals

The Beginning of a New Collaboration

This project marks the beginning of our collaboration with Acomodo Rentals, one of Panama's established vacation rental management companies, operating properties across several destinations throughout the country.

After several months of conversations, we finally had the opportunity to work together. La Cuadra, a recently developed building located on Calle 13, at the entrance to Casco Viejo, became our first assignment.

The apartment features two bedrooms and a generous open-plan living and dining area. From the beginning, our objective was to create a photographic presentation that would bring out the character of the interiors, the decorative details and the overall atmosphere of the property.

Behind the Scenes: The Production

One of the defining aspects of this production was the coordination with the Acomodo Rentals team. Upon arrival, Jessica Ávila, the property manager responsible for the area, personally welcomed us and walked us through the apartment.

During the initial compositions, we noticed that although the apartment was beautifully furnished, some areas could benefit from additional decorative elements. We discussed this with Jessica, and she immediately coordinated with the team to bring additional accessories and decorative pieces from other properties.

The response was remarkably efficient. Within a short time, the team had brought additional objects, artwork and decorative details that helped give the apartment more personality and visual depth.

Watch the complete behind-the-scenes production on Instagram

The production workflow included a dedicated assistant responsible for lighting adjustments and equipment setup, allowing us to concentrate on composition, framing and the visual direction of each photograph.

We also used a dedicated 14-inch external monitor for reviewing compositions. This allowed us to evaluate each frame at a larger scale and make precise decisions before moving to the next setup.

Lighting Design & Natural Light Simulation

The apartment did not have particularly spectacular exterior views, but it featured two recessed window openings that offered an excellent opportunity for controlled lighting.

We positioned two Godox AD600 strobes inside these recessed openings, directing the light into the interior to recreate the effect of strong natural sunlight entering through the windows.

This approach allowed us to create a convincing directional light source, adding depth and dimension to the rooms without making the artificial lighting appear obvious.

Additional strobes were used throughout the apartment to balance the ambient exposure and maintain consistent illumination between the different spaces.

We also opened windows and doors wherever appropriate to create a greater sense of openness and improve the visual connection between the rooms.

Camera & Technical Equipment

The primary camera for this production was the Canon EOS R5, connected to our external monitoring system. The Canon TS-E 24mm tilt-shift lens was our main working lens, allowing us to maintain straight architectural lines and precise perspective control.

A Canon 50mm lens was also used for selected photographs where a more focused composition and additional detail were required.

Our lighting setup included multiple professional strobes, with the more powerful units doing most of the work in the larger spaces.

Equipment Used

Camera: Canon EOS R5

Lenses: Canon TS-E 24mm Tilt-Shift, Canon 50mm

Lighting: Godox AD600, AD400, AD300 and AD200

Monitoring: External 14-inch client review monitor and auxiliary camera monitor

Production: Dedicated lighting assistant and controlled multi-flash setups

Attention to Detail & Final Image Quality

For us, professional interior photography is not simply about placing a camera on a tripod and taking a series of photographs. It involves controlling light, understanding the architecture, evaluating every composition and making deliberate decisions throughout the production.

Having an assistant made a considerable difference during this assignment. While the lighting equipment was being adjusted, we could focus on the relationship between the different spaces, the decorative elements and the overall visual consistency of the property.

Every photograph goes through our manual post-production process. Images are individually edited, reviewing exposure, color, highlights, shadows and architectural details to achieve a consistent and natural-looking result.

The Result

La Cuadra became the starting point of a new professional relationship with Acomodo Rentals. The production combined carefully controlled lighting, detailed compositions and an efficient on-site workflow to create a complete photographic presentation of the apartment.

What made this project particularly rewarding was the collaboration between the photography team and the property management team. The willingness to improve the staging and attention to detail made a visible difference in the final presentation.

It was also the beginning of a series of projects with Acomodo Rentals across different properties and destinations in Panama.