Selling a home can be a challenging task, and capturing the perfect photos for your real estate listing is crucial. Great photos can make a significant difference in attracting potential buyers and showcasing your property’s best features.
Whether you’re using a professional photographer or taking the photos yourself, understanding some essential tips can help you present your home in the best possible light.
In this article, you’ll discover valuable insights to help you take stunning and effective real estate photos. From setting the right scene to mastering lighting techniques, our tips are designed to boost your listing’s appeal and increase your chances of a successful sale.
Get ready to turn your home into a buyer’s dream with these easy-to-follow suggestions.
1. Use natural lighting
Natural lighting is your best friend when taking real estate photos. It brings out the true colors of a room and creates a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Open all the curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible. Shooting during the daytime, especially in the early morning or late afternoon, can give you the softest, most flattering light.
Avoid using the camera’s built-in flash. It often creates harsh shadows and uneven lighting. Instead, rely on the natural light available to you.
If a room has large windows, position yourself so that the light streams in from the side. This can help highlight the room’s best features without creating glare.
Remember, cloudy days can also be great for shooting. The light is diffused, preventing harsh shadows, and giving the room an even, soft glow.
By paying attention to natural light, you can make any space look brighter and more welcoming. It’s one simple trick that can make a huge difference in your real estate photos.
2. Stage the Space
Before taking photos, it’s important to stage your home. This means arranging furniture and decor to make the space look inviting and functional.
First, remove personal items like family photos. You want potential buyers to picture themselves living in the home.
Next, declutter the space. Clear countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms. Remove any unnecessary items from living areas.
Add decorative touches like fresh flowers or a bowl of fruit. These small touches can make the space look fresh and appealing.
Make sure all rooms have a purpose. If a room is used for storage, arrange it as a functional space, like an office or guest room.
Use neutral colors. Bright colors or bold patterns might not appeal to everyone. Stick with soft, neutral tones to attract more buyers.
Pay attention to the lighting. Open curtains and blinds to let in natural light. Turn on lamps and overhead lights to brighten dark areas.
Lastly, check the details. Make sure pillows are fluffed, beds are made neatly, and furniture is arranged in a welcoming way.
Staging your home can make a big difference in how it looks in photos and can help attract potential buyers.
3. Declutter before shooting
Before you grab your camera, take some time to clean up. Removing clutter can really transform a space. It makes rooms look bigger and more inviting. A tidy space helps potential buyers see the true potential of the home.
Start with the obvious spots. Clear off countertops in the kitchen. Put away unnecessary items. In the living room, arrange pillows and remove personal items like remote controls and magazines.
Don’t forget the smaller details. Make sure beds are made. Hide any laundry, and make sure bathroom counters are clear. Less clutter means more focus on the best parts of the home, like architectural features and spacious rooms.
Natural light will enhance a clean space. Open blinds and let the light in. This also makes the space feel more open. Decluttering takes time but makes a big difference in your photos.
Your goal is to make the home look as appealing as possible. With less clutter, it’s easier for buyers to picture themselves in that space. Taking the time to declutter will result in better photos that attract more interest.
4. Shoot from eye level
When taking real estate photos, always shoot from eye level. This makes the space feel more natural and relatable.
If you hold the camera too high or too low, it can distort the proportions of the room. A higher angle might make furniture look tiny, while a lower angle can make it appear overwhelming.
Use a tripod to maintain a consistent height in all your shots. This helps keep the photos steady and well-composed. Adjust the tripod to the average person’s eye level, which is around 5 to 6 feet.
Shooting from eye level also helps capture the true scale of the room. It allows viewers to see how they might fit into the space. This little detail can make your listings much more appealing.
5. Highlight Unique Features
Showcase what makes the property special. If it has a beautiful fireplace, make sure to get a good shot of it. Does the home have an incredible view? Capture it during the best time of day to highlight its beauty.
Unique features can set a property apart. A modern kitchen, a large backyard, or custom-built shelves all appeal to potential buyers. Make these features the star of your photos.
Using different angles helps. Try capturing the same feature from various perspectives to see what looks best. This can help emphasize the uniqueness of the property.
Play with lighting. A well-lit room can highlight details like intricate woodwork or new appliances. Natural light often works best, so time your shoots accordingly.
Make sure the feature stands out. Clear away any clutter around it so that nothing distracts from what you want to highlight. Simplicity helps viewers focus on what matters most.
6. Use a tripod
Using a tripod is essential for taking high-quality real estate photos.
A tripod keeps your camera steady, which helps avoid blurry images. Blurry photos can make a property look less appealing. With a tripod, your pictures will be sharp and clear.
It also allows you to use a slower shutter speed without worrying about camera shake. This is great for indoor shots where lighting can be tricky.
Tripods are also handy for taking multiple shots from the same position. This is helpful when you want to create panoramic images or virtual tours of the property.
They come in various sizes and prices, so you can find one that fits both your budget and needs. Investing in a good tripod can make a big difference in your real estate photography.
7. Edit Sparingly
When you edit your real estate photos, it’s important to keep it simple. You want the pictures to look natural and true to life. Too much editing can make the home look fake or unrealistic.
Focus on small adjustments like brightness, contrast, and sharpness. These changes can help show off the best features of the house without altering its appearance.
Avoid heavy filters and extreme color changes. These can distort the real look of the property and may mislead potential buyers. Stick with subtle edits that enhance the photo without overwhelming it.
Always remember, less is more. When in doubt, take a step back and look at the photo again. If it looks too edited, consider dialing it back a bit.
Proper lighting during the shoot can also reduce the need for extensive editing later on. Aim to capture the best possible image in-camera to save time on edits.
8. Capture different angles
Taking photos from various angles helps showcase a property’s best features. By capturing different perspectives, you provide a more complete view of the home.
Start by snapping photos at eye level. This gives a natural feel to the images. Next, try shooting from high and low angles to add variety.
Move around each room to find the best spots. Corners often work well because they show more of the space, making rooms look bigger.
Don’t forget about the exterior. A few different angles from the outside can highlight the architecture and landscaping.
Remember, the goal is to help potential buyers envision themselves in the home. Different angles can make spaces more inviting and interesting.
9. Utilize Wide-Angle Lenses
Wide-angle lenses are great for capturing more of a space in one shot. They make rooms look larger and more open, which is important for real estate photos.
When using a wide-angle lens, be careful with the edges. These lenses can sometimes make straight lines look curved. To avoid this, position the camera level with the center of your subject.
Natural light complements wide-angle lenses well. Open the curtains and let the daylight flood in to create a welcoming atmosphere. This will also help in showing the true colors and details of the room.
A wide-angle lens is especially useful in smaller spaces like bathrooms or cozy bedrooms. It allows potential buyers to see the entire room, giving them a better idea of the layout and size.
Investing in a good quality wide-angle lens can make a big difference. It might cost a bit more, but the improved photos can help in selling your property faster.
10. Shoot exterior in the golden hour
The golden hour is the time just after sunrise and just before sunset. During this time, the light is soft and warm. It makes the colors of a property pop and creates beautiful shadows.
Shooting during the golden hour helps highlight the best features of a house. The warm sunlight gives the exterior a lovely glow. This light is ideal for capturing stunning photos that grab attention.
Timing is important. The golden hour lasts for about an hour. Early morning can be a great time if you want fewer people around. Evening might be better if you want a cozy, inviting look.
Using a tripod can help keep your shots steady in the changing light. Adjust your camera settings to make the most of the natural light without overexposing your photos.
Remember, planning ahead for the golden hour can make a big difference. Keeping an eye on the weather and knowing exact sunrise and sunset times can help you get the best results.
11. Showcase key rooms first
Start with the rooms that buyers care about most. The kitchen and living room should be among the first images in your listing. These spaces are often the heart of the home, where people spend the most time.
Highlight the master bedroom and bathrooms next. These areas are essential for potential buyers who are looking for comfort and relaxation.
Don’t forget any special features that make your property unique. If there’s a home office, gym, or a stunning view from a particular room, make sure these are highlighted early on.
Showing these important spaces first helps grab attention and keeps buyers interested.
12. Use Proper Exposure Settings
Getting the right exposure is key to good real estate photos. Exposure settings control how much light reaches the camera sensor.
Start with the aperture. A lower f-stop number, like f/2.8, lets in more light and creates a nice, shallow depth of field. This can help highlight specific features.
Next, focus on the shutter speed. A slower shutter speed allows more light but can cause blurry images if the camera isn’t steady. Use a tripod if you need to slow it down.
Adjust the ISO settings carefully. A higher ISO makes the sensor more sensitive to light, but can add noise to your photos. Try to keep it as low as possible while still getting a bright image.
If the room is too dark, use auxiliary lights or reflectors. Natural light is great, but you can supplement it when needed.
Checking exposure settings before shooting saves time editing later. Relying less on post-processing means faster, more natural-looking photos.
13. Include Aerial Shots if Possible
Aerial shots can make your real estate listing stand out. Capturing a property from above provides a unique perspective that ground-level photos can’t offer. This helps showcase the entire property, including the layout and surroundings.
You need a drone to get quality aerial shots. Learning to operate a drone safely is crucial. Earn a Remote Pilot Certificate if you’re serious about it.
Aerial photos highlight features like large yards, gardens, pools, and nearby amenities. They give potential buyers a better sense of the property’s size and scope.
To get the best results, shoot on a clear day. Good weather ensures that your photos are bright and clear.
Aerial shots can also capture the neighborhood. This can add value by showing the viewers how close the property is to parks, schools, and other attractions.
Including aerial shots in your listings adds a touch of professionalism. This can help make your property more attractive to potential buyers.
14. Ensure White Balance is Correct
White balance is vital for real estate photos because it affects the colors in your images. If the white balance is off, your photos might look too blue or too yellow. This can make rooms feel cold or uninviting.
Adjusting the white balance correctly helps present the property in its best light. It can make a room look warm and cozy or bright and modern, depending on the effect you want.
Most cameras have automatic white balance settings, but they might not always be accurate. You can manually set the white balance to match the lighting conditions. For example, choose the “daylight” setting when shooting in natural light or “tungsten” for indoor lighting.
Always check the white balance before taking photos. Edit your pictures afterward if needed, but getting it right in-camera saves time and improves image quality.
By ensuring the white balance is correct, you make your listings more appealing to potential buyers. It reflects the true colors of the property, making the space look just as great in photos as it does in person.
15. Add some greenery
Adding plants can make your real estate photos more attractive. Plants bring a touch of nature into indoor spaces. They can make rooms feel fresher and more inviting.
Place a few potted plants around the living room and kitchen. Think about adding a small plant on a coffee table or a larger one in a corner.
Make sure not to overdo it. Too many plants can clutter the space. A few well-placed plants can create a balanced look.
Consider using a mix of leafy green plants and colorful flowers. This can add variety and interest to each room.
If you don’t have live plants, you can use high-quality fake plants. They can still provide the same visual appeal without the need for maintenance.
Keep plants healthy and clean. Dusty leaves or wilting flowers can detract from the overall effect.
