Say Cheese: How to Take Real Estate Photos Like a Pro

In today’s digital world, exceptional real estate photography is a must for any home seller.

Great real estate photos and 3D tours can help make the sale—but they don’t just happen.

According to Zillow’s 2018 Consumer Housing Trends Report, 79% of home buyers use online resources in their search. That means real estate listing photos are often the first thing they see when looking at homes on the Internet. These images are critically important because they help potential buyers’ to form their first impression of the property and can make or break their decision to schedule a walkthrough.

In the following article, we’ll share ten real estate photography tips that will put your home in its best light.

1. Consider hiring a professional photographer. If your photography skills leave something to be desired, a pro may be the best way to go. Start by searching for reputable real estate photographers in your area. View their online portfolio in detail to ensure they have the appropriate skill set. Once you’ve selected a couple of potential photographers to engage, request estimates from each. The cost may vary significantly depending upon the size of your home and property, the number of photos you require, and the photographer.
2. Purchase a high-quality camera. Digital cameras are available with a wide variety of options and in a broad range of price points. While you want to invest in one that will yield professional-looking images, there’s no need to break the bank, either. Compact and easy-to-use, digital point-and-shoot cameras are a popular option. If you have a smartphone, its camera is probably adequate to do the job with a few enhancements. Consider buying a stand, lenses and lights take make your photos their most impressive.
3. Invest in a wide-angle lens. To give viewers a better sense of the space and make it appear larger, use a wide-angle lens. You can find low-cost lenses starting at around $100, making it a smart photography investment.
4. Take time to declutter. Your beloved knick-knacks, books and other items may give you a sense of comfort, but they don’t belong in your real estate photos. Buyers need to be able to see the full potential of the home and picture themselves living there. Thoroughly clean and clear off all surfaces such as tables, counters and desks, leaving one to three decorative items at the most.
5. Stage the property for maximum appeal. Staged homes can bring up to 5% more than those that aren’t, so you’ll want to either stage it yourself or consider hiring a professional to do the job. If you decide to do it yourself, create inviting settings in each room to help buyers to envision how it might be used. Some popular staging examples include a bottle of wine and two glasses on the coffee table, gloves and a gardening hat by the back door, and/or a dining set laid out on the kitchen table.
6. Get the best perspective. Whether you opt for a wide-angle lens or a standard one, there are photography techniques you can employ to make your home look its most appealing. For example, shooting from a doorway or corner of the room will make it look more spacious. On exterior shots, shoot from an angle to add depth. Take plenty of photos from a variety of angles so you can choose which ones put your property in its best light.
7. Lighting is critical. Natural lighting produces more attractive images than ambient lighting does when it’s used strategically. Open the blinds to allow in as much light as possible, but avoid shooting directly into windows to avoid a glare. The sun should be behind the camera so that colors are properly illuminated. Avoid taking pictures on rainy days or at night, which can create a feeling of gloominess. When using artificial lighting, ensure that the wattage of all bulbs in the room are the same to produce a sense of balance. Pointing a flash directly at a space can cause uneven light distribution and glare, so use it only if necessary.
8. Keep your edges vertical. Houses are full of vertical lines, and it’s important that they’re perfectly straight when shooting. Crooked images will come across as sloppy and can even be off-putting to prospective buyers. Keep your camera’s vertical axis lined up with walls, corners, doorways, and other vertical objects.
9. Select the best images. For a standard home of approximately 2,500 square feet, 20 photos should provide an accurate portrayal and allow for multiple shots of the property’s best features. Ten images should suffice for a smaller home, while a larger property may require 25 or 30. As a general rule, plan to include two different views of the kitchen, living room, and each bedroom; one photo of each bathroom and ancillary rooms, such as the garage and laundry room; several photos of the front of the home; and several views of the back yard. Posting too few images may cause buyers to question why more of the home isn’t being shown, while posting too many can be overwhelming.
10. Create and share a compelling story of your home. The best way to win over potential buyers online is with great photos and the order you present them in your listing. Viewers should feel as though they’re walking through your property. The order of your listing photos should be as follows: the exterior, entryway, kitchen, dining room, living room, master bedroom, additional bedrooms, bathrooms, ancillary rooms, and the back yard.

According to research by VHT studios, top-notch real estate photos can help your home sell up to 32% faster. Your listing photos set the stage for how much interest your property will generate and what kind of offers you’ll receive, so don’t take them for granted.

For over 25 years, Certified Title has been providing home buyers and sellers across the nation with valuable tools to facilitate their transactions. To learn more about how to photograph your property like a pro, please contact our helpful, knowledgable team.

About Certified Title Corporation: Since 1994, attorney-owned Certified Title Corporation has been furnishing residential and commercial real estate stakeholders across the nation with robust title insurance, settlement, and escrow services. Renowned for their industry-leading reliability and exemplary level of service and quality, the Maryland-based company helps clients from all walks of life achieve their asset goals. To learn more, call (888)486-5511 or visit https://www.certifiedtitlecorp.com/.