Real Estate Photography Tips

Do you ever feel like you could have better prepared your listing’s images? We know that superstar realtors like you have a lot on your mind. But in order to make the most of online marketing, agents often need real estate photography tips, or even better to hire professionals to do the job.

We created this real estate photography tips list for any realtors who feel they have come up short in the presentation of a listing. This list is based on common errors we’ve noticed when it comes to photographing a listing.

Seek Professional Help

It is hard to resist temptation. After all, it seems easy, you have the right equipment, and anyone who knows how to aim and shoot can take great photos of listings, right?

The fact is, “knowing how to shoot” is a relative concept. And professional photographers have training and experience which goes beyond taking photos at a family gathering.

Professional photography is not just about knowing where and how to hold the camera and tidying up the place. In fact, knowing the importance of light and how to capture an image at the right time is what separates the professional photographer from the novice. Professional photographers have done their homework and know exactly when to shoot. They can take multiple shots in different light settings and blend them to create the perfect image. An amateur set of skills in photography does not compare.

Don’t Forget the Exterior Look

When preparing the property for sale, getting the exterior is vital. How the parkway, the patio, etc looks like has a huge effect on the impression buyers get. A parkway full of leaves and dirt is definitely not the sight buyers would like to see. The house should look clean not only on the inside but also on the outside.

The same thing matters for garbage, recycling bins, and yard waste containers that are seen in the photos. even if you keep them outside of the house, you should get them out of sight for photos. They don’t look great in the photos.

3D Virtual Tours

Modern times require modern measures. To keep up with the competition you need to ensure you are up to date technologically and are media savvy.

While still images tell a lot about a property and videos animate those images to provide a better perception of the property, 3D virtual tours go even further. They provide a way to let the audience pilot the camera and explore every nook and cranny in the house. And all that happens with a few clicks and taps from the comfort of their homes.

The problem with this technology is that the equipment is expensive. Even for real estate agents who need to promote a lot of properties, they do not seem like a sound investment.

Therefore the best option is often to outsource 3D virtual tours. Professionals working with 3D imagery have already bought the equipment and are trained to use such equipment to produce stunning and eye-catching results.

Different Shots in Different Seasons

Home buying is a complex process in which many factors come into play. One of the most important elements to spark a prospects’ interest in a property is the emotional drive that property images can create. In order to tell the story of a property ask your homeowner if they have photos showing the home in different seasons. Stir the hearts of your prospects and let them imagine their lives in the property through the span of different seasons.

Go for the Features

You do not have to showcase all of the house. Focus on the positive features and leave the rest. The purpose of photos is to get prospects in the house so that they can see the property on their own and then decide if they want it or not. You don’t want to discourage them right off the bat.

Declutter

Buyers are buying a home, not the stuff in it. This one is pretty obvious but still has a spot on our list as it is very important. The property has to look at its best and by best, we mean the best, nothing less. Before the photography process begins, clean the place up. Get rid of any clutter. Make sure the place looks tidy. Too many pictures on the walls, artificial plants, tons of magnets on the refrigerator, etc., don’t excite home buyers, and they should not be in listing photos.

Tell The Story of The Property

People don’t just buy the property, they buy the story the property tells. They buy the lifestyle the house represents. While shooting photos make sure you tell a story through decoration and furniture. Stage the home in a welcoming way.

It is vital to staging properties and if possible it is recommended to hire a professional stager. The idea here is to bring the property to life and give it a look that corresponds to the expectations of home buyers.

Aerial Shots

The interior look of the property is usually the main focus of real estate photography but it does not mean the exterior does not matter. Drones provide a great way to capture the external look of the property from a further distance and create stunning photos. Drones should be handled by licensed professionals.

Close-up Shots

Generally, there is no need to have close-up shots for the home you are trying to sell unless there is a specific reason to do so. You can do close-up shots for rare luxury items in the house only. Otherwise, trying to show off things like decorative fountains would be trying too hard to show something ordinary.

DIY Real Estate Photography Tips

Despite the fact we recommend real estate agents go with professional help for real estate photography, some may still need to do it on their own. For this group of people, we have provided a list of photography tips to consider.

Use a Tripod

You will get a sharper image when you use a tripod especially while taking a photo in natural light. The tripod will keep the camera steady; this allows you to lower your shutter speed and make the most of the natural light, maximizing the quality of the image.

Do not Overprocess the Photos

The photos you use for listings should be real and free of whatever is not visible in real life. If photos become artificial in the process of processing, they will lack credibility and are of no use. This includes making the colors of the lawn and the sky more vibrant. Everyone will notice that they are fake.

Use Enough Photos

The purpose of photos for listings is the give the buyer a clear picture of the house in all aspects. If a listing has one or two photos, regardless of how great those are, the buyer will not be able to see all of the houses and most probably will not spend more time looking at the house since he cant judge the overall state of the house. if might even bring up the question in the buyer’s mind: “what is the buyer trying to hide?”

On the other hand, having too many photos can also be frustrating since the buyer has to swipe endlessly through the many photos just to be able to see all of the houses. Imagine a buyer has to go through 15 exterior photos just to start seeing the interior ones. Having 50 photos for the house will not only not increase your chances of selling a house but also will deter interested buyers from going on to the next steps.

Full Frame Camera

Ditch the Megapixel concept when buying a camera. Invest in a full-frame digital camera, as it’s the sensor size that matters and not the megapixels. Cameras with larger sensors perform better under low light and give the best image quality. Also, a full-frame camera will cover more area in a single picture. Even if they do not spot the processing involved in the photos, they will be quite disappointed when they see the property in person and fail to find the features they saw in the photos.

Use Wide Angle Lens Vs Fish Eye

Pictures taken from a fisheye lens will give a distorted view to the potential buyer by making a room look larger than it is. A wide-angle lens will give a more representative view of the space.

Front Exterior Photography Tips

The first impression means everything! To have a  better real estate photography experience, ensure the exterior is as clean as possible, follow these steps:

• Remember the importance of CURB APPEAL!
• Close garage doors
• Move any garbage/recycling bins in the garage
• Move cars from the driveway
• Ensure driveway is clean (remove oil stains if any)
• Landscaping (plant flowers, rake leaves, trim bushes/shrubs, mow the lawn)
• Clear any toys from the front lawn
• Remove any hoses, electrical cables
• Get rid of any pet droppings
• Powerwash the house if dirty and/or driveway
• Ensure doorbell is working
• Check for bugs/pests (mice, rats, ants, bees, wasps, nests)
• Clean gutters if clogged
• Ensure front door is clean and welcoming (place welcome mat if you wish)

Kitchen Photography Tips

To take better real estate photography, remember the kitchen is the heart of the house, make it as welcoming as possible!

• PLEASE REMOVE dirty dishes from the sink
• Clear countertops of any food, baking supplies
• Wipe countertops
• Remove magnets, drawings, and PHOTOS from the fridge
• Hide the garbage can under the sink
• Remove sponges and rags from the sink
• Clean all appliances
• Clean all fixtures
• Dust hanging lamps and window sill above the sink
• Deodorize garbage disposal, dishwasher, and refrigerator
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Dining Room Real Estate Photography Tips

This is the primary area where a family gathers to dine. Try to take better real estate photography to make it presentable!

• Clear the room of any items that don’t belong there
• Dust the table
• Wash the table with window or wood cleaner
• Set the table
• Straighten chairs
• Remove any personal photos
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Family/Living Room Photography Tips

This is the main hangout area for most families, all the more reason to make it both tidy and enticing!

• Remove excessive knick-knacks
• Remove newspaper/magazines/mail
• Throw away any old candles
• Remove any dead plants
• Clean up toys
• Arrange furniture to complement the space of the room
• Fluff pillows and fold blankets/throws
• DECLUTTER!
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Bedroom Photography Tips

Comfort is key when it comes to the area of rest, make the place look clean and peaceful!

• Make the bed (tuck in the sheets, fluff the pillows)
• Hide any personal photos and items from the nightstand or desk
• Remove any photos or posters from the wall
• Hang /fold any clothing, remove any clothing from the floor
• Hide any valuables/jewelry
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Master Bedroom Photography

Just like the bedrooms, the master bedroom is supposed to be a calm oasis of rest and relaxation, make sure the area is neat and clean!

• Remove any framed photos or hanging photos of family or personal photos
• Remove/hide any jewelry
• Clear nightstand of clutter
• Clear under the bed
• Remove/hide any laptops, chargers, charging cables
• Fluff the pillows and fold the blanket/throw
• Pick up any clothes from the floor
• Fold any clothes and place in the closet
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Bathrooms Photography

The place where you feel clean and restored should also be clean and tidy!

• Remove any litter boxes if stored in the washroom
• Remove any clutter from the countertop including face wash, makeup, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc.
• Wipe the bathroom countertop
• Wipe down the glass
• Remove towels that have been used and replace with fresh towels
• Close cabinet doors
• Remove bottles of shampoo, razors, body wash, sponges, luffas from the shower
• Empty garbage bins
• Vacuum and mop the bathroom floor
• Clean the grout in the shower
• Remove soap residue in the bathtub
• Clean the sink with a solution
• Clean the toilet
• PUT THE TOILET SEAT DOWN!

Laundry Photography

This area is often overlooked, but always remember to double-check if the entire space is pleasing to the public!

• Vacuum any dust bunnies lingering around the back of the washer/dryer
• Remove any clutter
• Remove clothes from washer/dryer if they are visible
• Fold clothes and put away into the closet
• Organize laundry detergents
• Clean any spills/stains/residue on washer/dryer
• Vacuum/mop the floor

Backyard Photography

A messy lawn is a turn-off, to take better real estate photography make sure the grass is well manicured and visually pleasing.

• Remove any toys or equipment lying around
• Dispose of any pet droppings
• Mow the lawn
• Weed/garden if need be
• Remove any dead plants or shrubs
• Replace damaged landscape accessories
• Clean /power wash the deck
• Remove trash bins/recycling
• Clean the pool

Pet area Photography

We know you love your pets, but your buyer may not. Don’t put pets in photos, he’s not for sale — or anything like that.

• Remove feeding/water bowls, and especially the litter box.
• Remove pet hair off the furniture
• Hide any toys/leashes/dog beds out of view

Takeaway

Regardless of how professional you consider yourself to be in photography, we suggest that you hire professional photographers for marketing your properties. There are many real estate photography tips to take into consideration while taking photos that have a direct impact on the overall quality of the photos and their effectiveness.

If you still need to take the photos yourself, follow the real estate photography tips in this article. Always make sure the property looks tidy and clean and get rid of clutter. Simplicity is your best bet.