10 Tips for Real Estate Photos
Photos for a real estate agent can be very important especially when it can mean the difference between selling a property or not. Think back to the last time you rented or looked to buy something, one of the main selling points is to actually SEE the thing you want. And not just see a single picture, but multiple highly detailed pictures so you can make sure you know what you’re buying. Therefore, the pictures must be done correctly.
So, without further ado here are 10 tips for real estate photos.
1. Emphasize the Best Feature in Each Room
When you get to the property, make sure to examine each room and find the best features available. This could be anything from a circular staircase or a beautiful view of the outside. Whatever it may be, have that as the focal point in your shot of that room.
2. Prepare Every Room You Plan to Shoot
This goes along with emphasizing the best feature. The best feature can be made even better with a nicely prepared room. Take the time to move furniture around or place decorations that showcase the room and help sell on its best feature.
3. Use Technology Like Drones
With today’s technology getting better and better, it’s only natural for the real estate photos for a house to step it up. Drones are an awesome way to give a different angle of the house a buyer is looking at. They not only get to see the home, but they see how the yard looks and the area around it too. Once a buyer is sold on the home, their next thought is always where they are located and what’s nearby. Drone shots give a perfect answer to their questions.
4. Post Only the Best Photos
This should go without saying, but here I am saying it. There are times realtors will take photos of a property, and then upload every single shot. This will only go to overwhelm the buyer with too many options. You want to select the best ones of each room and not let the less stellar photos take away from the better quality ones.
5. Use a Tripod
Whenever you see photos on a realtor’s website, there tends to be a couple of blurry shots if they are a little inexperienced. This is due to the lack of a tripod. Essentially, the tripod eliminates the possibility of a slight movement with your arms when taking a shot. No matter how skilled the photographer, it is always better to be safe and bring a tripod to eliminate burriness.
6. Use a Wide Angle Lens
The wide angle allows the pictures to capture large areas. In most houses, there are a couple of rooms that require the use of a wide angle in order to see the maximum amount of space. The lens will also allow other rooms a more full and comfortable look.
7. Choose the Correct Time
Taking photos at the correct time is important for the real estate photos to come out right. The times for the best pictures should be scheduled during the daytime with a lot of natural light or in the evening with the sunset so that you get a beautiful glow in the shot. This will help cut down the editing process and you will have very natural shots at these periods of the day. Make sure that the sun is, of course, behind the house as this will give the right shadow and glow to it.
8. Turn On All the Lights
This is a very basic but still very important thing to remember. The house will not look the same if it is not lit up. The light from the inside will create a glow that is sure to make the buyer feel at home. The idea is to generate as much warmth and coziness in the picture as you can.This applies for any property whether an apartment or a house.
9. Find the Right Light Temperature
In some cases, a room will look too bright in the sunlight or with the lights on. If you’ve tried the tactics up your sleeves for making it look balanced, it’s time to use the editing services to fix it up. Make sure to use Lightroom or Photoshop to give the photo a polished look that makes it professional. You don’t want the photo to come out too warm and so you can always adjust it to a cooler look that reflects the look you want.
10. Hire a Professional Photographer
When in doubt, always consult a professional photographer. (Like me!) You can never go wrong with outsourcing the job of taking pictures to someone who is experienced in the field. Even having a second person to look at a property may illuminate an area that is being underutilized. They’ll also know all of these tips and more so you won’t have to worry about wasting time or energy trying to perfect this important part of real estate.
I hope you were able to get some great insight from these tips! If you have any questions or would like to learn more about Brennen Tope Photography and real estate photography, don’t hesitate to reach out!