Capturing Captivating Real Estate Photos: Pro Tips for Agents
Quality real estate photography can be a crucial part of the home buying process. Photos provide potential buyers with a visual representation and confidence in their decision to buy, while also serving as an investment for your business. But what does it really take to make that image stand out? Let’s dive into how you can use photos to benefit both yourself and customers during this important journey!
Do your research on your equipment
Quality photography requires the right tools of the trade. Capturing breathtaking shots starts by investing in a great camera, but don’t forget about all its supporting cast – from lenses to lighting equipment that make for fantastic photos!
- Investing in the right camera for your photography business is a big decision – consider Nikon, Canon, Sony and FujiFilm to get quality results within your budget range; look into going used too!
- Get yourself an inexpensive tripod for focused, straight images that pack plenty of punch.
- Capture family photos from afar with the help of a cheap remote trigger – perfect over holidays spent far apart!
- Unlock the full potential of your camera with a flash
- Quickly adjust and control external flashes remotely – no cable needed!
- Capture wider shots easily with a wide angle lens, giving you more freedom to frame each perfect shot.
Prep each room before taking real estate photos
Capture the inviting charm of each room in your home! Make sure to keep details like cleanliness, lighting and even furniture placement top-of-mind when you take pictures for maximum impact.
- Embrace minimalism – Keep it clutter-free, allowing viewers to imagine living in the space.
- Reimagine furniture and decor – Let viewers envision how they would personalize the home.
- Shine up surfaces – Give kitchens & bathrooms a deep clean so they show off their best features!
- Lighten Up – Change out burned bulbs for brighter ones that will truly bring the shots alive.
- Flood the home with natural light by opening all window treatments
- Clear out any mats or runners from floors to keep it looking neat and free of everyday items
- Create a model home feel by making up each bed
- Remove personal photos for staged appearance that allows viewers’ imaginations to take over when viewing your photo shoot
- DeClutter closets, cupboards, drawers and nightstands so no unsightly clutter is visible in pictures
Remove all pet items
Capture the essence of life in the home and let potential buyers imagine themselves as its owners. Keep photos pet-free; remember that some viewers may be allergic or simply not fond of furry friends!
Prep the outside of the house
Presenting your home to prospective buyers can be an intimidating process. Crafting the perfect first impression through exterior photos is essential for making a great showing, and with these quick tips you’ll have no trouble capturing that eye-catching shot!
- Create a beautiful outdoor oasis: Plant or upkeep foliage to make the space look inviting, mow and manicure the lawn, and open up any patio umbrellas.
- Freshen-up all porches & decks: Clear away debris for polished looking photos that highlight how nicely kept everything is.
- Keep driveway clutter free: Make sure cars are removed from view so no square footage gets lost in listing pictures!
- Tidy essentials out of sight: Hide garbage cans and store equipment safely outside on show day – we won’t tell if you don’t
Lighting
For a truly captivating photo story, it’s essential to maintain consistent lighting. Seek out natural light when possible for the most beautiful and effortless shots—just make sure you take into account weather conditions and time of day!
Use a tripod
Skip the shaky-handed shots and get a guaranteed crispness with an affordable tripod. A small investment in this accessory will ensure your photos are crystal clear every time – no questions asked!
Take several shots at different exposures
Finding the ideal brightness in your photos is essential to creating high-quality, visually stunning images. With digital cameras and their adjustable shutter speed and aperture settings, you can explore a variety of options until capturing that perfect exposure! Have fun experimenting with light levels – nothing’s more rewarding than mastering just the right amount for those highlight areas and shadows.
Edit photos, but not too much
Getting your photos looking their best doesn’t require a lot of effort – just add subtle effects with an editing tool that can clean things up without changing the original look too much. Too many filters and over-saturation takes away from what makes your pictures special, so don’t go overboard!
Aerial/drone photography
Drone photography and videography are changing the way potential real estate buyers get to know a property from afar. Capturing incredible bird’s-eye views that can’t be seen in person, these high tech shots let you explore properties without even setting foot on them!
Virtual tours
The pandemic has changed the way homes are being toured. Thanks to virtual tours, you can now explore a home without leaving your couch! Ditch those in-person visits and discover what makes each house unique with our tips for building an engaging virtual tour.
