Are you a real estate agent hoping to take your real estate photography game to the next level? Look no further! In this article, we'll guide you through 21 essential tips to help you capture stunning real estate photos that will captivate buyers and make your listings stand out in a crowded market.
What Are The Benefits Of Real Estate Photography For Listings?
Real estate photography is crucial for making a strong first impression on potential buyers. High-quality photos can showcase a property's best features and increase the chances of selling it quickly and at a higher price. On the other hand, poor-quality photos can turn off potential buyers and make the property less attractive. Investing in real estate photography is a smart move to increase your chances of a successful sale.
How To Prepare Before A Real Estate Photography Shooting?
1. Prepare Yourself For The Photoshoot
Proper planning is fundamental. Before you start shooting, take the time to do a thorough walk-through of the property. Familiarize yourself with the space and identify its unique selling points. Look out for architectural features, unique elements, or breathtaking views. This will help you capture the essence of the property in your photos.
2. Create A Shot List
Don't forget about the shot list! Be sure to list every necessary shot and the best angles to capture to showcase the property. Prioritize the property's key selling points and unique features in your list. This way, even if you run out of time during the shooting day, you will still have the most important photos. A shot list will save you time and effort during the shooting and editing stages.
3. Get Your Equipment Ready
Ensure your equipment is functioning and ready for the big day. Check that your camera or smartphone is charged and has enough memory space for the shoot. Clean your camera lenses to remove any dust or smudges that could affect the image quality. Pack backup equipment, such as extra batteries, memory cards, and a tripod for added stability. Don't forget extra accessories like a flash, reflector, remote trigger, and remote shutter release for better lighting and control. Use a low ISO to reduce noise in your real estate photos, and consider using a polarizing filter to reduce glare and improve color saturation.
How to Choose the Best Real Estate Photography Lens?
Use wide-angle lenses to make a room appear more spacious. A low distortion rate will prevent the room from appearing warped. Moreover, a wider angle lets you capture a larger field of view, which you can crop and adjust during editing. Wide-angle lenses are commonly used by professional real estate photographers. Test your camera or smartphone beforehand to ensure it functions properly.
4. Check For The Weather
Before scheduling your photo session, check the weather forecast. You want a bright, sunny day with optimal lighting conditions to capture appealing real estate shots. Rainy or overcast days may not appeal to buyers, as the property could appear dull. If the weather is unsuitable for showing the best parts of the property, consider rescheduling the photo shoot. Ensure you have alternative indoor shots ready to prepare for weather changes.
How To Prepare A Property For Real Estate Photos?
5. Make Sure The Lighting Is Right
Proper indoor lighting is crucial for capturing stunning real estate photos. Open curtains and blinds to let natural light sources into the space. Avoid shooting on cloudy days or during harsh lighting conditions to achieve even, balanced lighting. Consider using extra lighting gear, such as softboxes, reflectors, or flash units, to fill in shadows and create a well-lit space. Turn on all interior lights to create a warm and inviting ambiance. Take photos during early morning or late afternoon for beautiful natural light.
6. Clean & Remove Clutter
Ensure that the property looks its best in the photos by cleaning and removing clutter. Thoroughly clean the entire property, paying attention to small details like dusting, vacuuming, and organizing. Remove unnecessary personal items that don't help create a clean, spacious feel. Tidy up outdoor areas such as the yard, porch, or patio for a complete look. Make sure all the windows are clean and free of smudges to maximize natural light and showcase the property in the best possible way.
Real Estate Photography Tips During The Shooting
7. Position Yourself In A Room Angle or The Doorway
When photographing small spaces, position yourself in a room angle or the doorway to accurately convey the size of the room in the photos. Choosing the proper position allows you to create depth, showcase the space, and capture the entire room in one shot. Aim for chest level to avoid distortion when shooting.
8. Take Multiple Shots Of Each Room From Different Angles
Experiment with different angles to find the most appealing perspective. Taking multiple shots ensures that you capture the best possible image of each room, giving you more options during the editing process. Consider the shot's composition and framing, and ensure that your chosen position allows for optimal lighting and eliminates unwanted distractions.
Here are two types of shots that real estate photography businesses love:
- Corner Shots: Position yourself at a 45-degree angle to capture a room from corner to corner, making the space look as big as possible. Include three walls if possible for a better idea of the space.
- Straight-On Shots: Ideal for showcasing kitchens, windows, stairways, and bathrooms. Use a composition grid to help you frame your shots. Follow the vertical lines and align them with the room.
9. Take Advantage Of Reflections
Capture a property's beauty and make it more attractive to potential buyers with reflections. Use surfaces like mirrors or windows to take advantage of reflections. Experiment with different angles and perspectives to find the best reflections. Be mindful of unwanted reflections like camera equipment or yourself. Use mirrors to highlight a room's best features and add depth and dimension to photos.
10. Use A Flash
Using a flash can improve the quality of your images if you don't have good lighting conditions. A flash helps illuminate dark corners and balances exposure. Diffuse or bounce the flash off a surface to avoid harsh lighting. Adjust the flash intensity to create more lit scenes and capture stunning real estate photos.
11. Shoot At Different Times Of The Day
Taking photos of the property at different times of the day allows you to showcase its versatility to potential buyers. Capture the exterior during golden hour for a warm and inviting glow. Showcase the interior during daylight hours to highlight natural light and spaciousness. Capture twilight shots for a stunning ambiance with illuminated windows and landscape lighting.
12. Showcase The Property's Curb Appeal
Capture the property's exterior to show its curb appeal. Natural lighting enhances the beauty of the landscaping and architectural features. Take close-up shots of unique elements like a front porch or an inviting entrance. Keep the foreground clear of any distractions or clutter. Focus on the property's curb appeal to attract potential buyers.
13. Capture The Property's Unique Selling Points
Highlight the property's architectural features, luxurious amenities, spaciousness, and any unique or standout elements. Capture photos that make the listing more memorable and increase its desirability. Include photos of standout features as keywords in your listings.
14. Highlight The Neighborhood
Capture photos of the community and surrounding areas to create a sense of place and highlight what makes the area unique. Showcase nearby parks, schools, and shopping centers to highlight convenience for future buyers. Capture local amenities and attractions to showcase the neighborhood's appeal.
Real Estate Photography Editing Tips
15. Use Professional Photo Editing Software
Invest in professional photo editing software to enhance your real estate photos. Adjust the white balance, lighting, crop, and straighten the pictures. Give them a clean, polished, professional appearance. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+ is a recommended editing software for real estate photography.
16. Adjust Color Temperature, Luminosity, and Contrast
Adjust color temperature to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Balance luminosity to ensure all areas of your photo are correctly exposed. Increase contrast to enhance visual appeal and highlight details. Pay attention to natural lighting conditions during shooting and adjust if necessary during editing.
17. Apply Photo Filters
Apply photo filters to create different styles and atmospheres. Use filters like a sunset filter or a warm filter to create specific moods. Avoid excessive use of filters that make the photos look unnatural or overly edited. Adjust the intensity of the filter to achieve the desired effect without overpowering the image.
18. Edit Unnecessary Objects Out In Post-Production
Use your photo editing software to remove any accidental personal items or unnecessary objects from your photos. Be careful not to overdo it and make the photo look unrealistic. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+ provides a Magic Erase feature for easy object removal.
19. Create Cohesive Marketing Material With Your Pictures
Add your edited photos to your real estate marketing materials. Use Xara's color palettes generated from your pictures to create unique materials matching the colors of your property's photos. Xara provides templates for brochures, social media posts, door hangers, and more. Simply choose a template, brand it, add your personal agent details, and generate a compelling listing description with the AI-powered text generator.
20. Use A Virtual Staging Service
If you're photographing an unfurnished property, consider using AI virtual staging services to help potential buyers envision the possibilities of the property. Virtual staging adds furniture and decor to empty rooms, making them more inviting and appealing. It's cost-effective compared to physical staging and saves time and money.
21. Create A 3D Tour
Repurpose your real estate photos to create a 3D virtual tour of the property. Stitch together multiple images to create an immersive virtual experience for potential buyers. Offering a 3D tour can attract more buyers and make your listings stand out. Applications like Zillow 3D Home® Tours enable you to create virtual tours using your smartphone.
In conclusion, real estate photography is crucial for attracting potential buyers and making your listings stand out. By following these expert tips, you can ensure that your photos capture the essence of the property and highlight its unique selling points. Don't forget to invest time in the photo editing stage to enhance the quality of your images. Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+ is a powerful and affordable editing software that can help take your real estate photography to the next level. Download and try Xara Photo & Graphic Designer+ for free for 14 days.
