Design & Garden Ideas

6 Real Estate Photography Tips for Beginners

February 28, 2023

6 Real Estate Photography Tips for Beginners

Photography is an essential part of the real estate industry, as images are a powerful tool to showcase properties to potential buyers. Professional photography can make a huge difference in the property’s presentation and can even contribute to a higher sale price.

Presenting a property in its best light can draw more interest, both online and in person. Remember that 47% of home buyers begin the buying process online. So aside from reading the listing details, the images attached are a huge factor as to whether they will visit the home.

Professional real estate photography also provides potential buyers with a realistic view of the property, which can help them make an informed decision.

Real Estate Photography Tips to Follow

As a beginner, it’s essential to be mindful of the fundamentals of photography when taking pictures of real estate properties. Here are some of them.

1. Scout the Area

Never rush the images. Don’t simply go to the home without knowing more about the property. Each home has a unique personality. Take time to visit and learn everything about the home. What makes it different from the other homes for sale in the same neighborhood? Before the actual shoot, inspect the home.

Take initial shots of the home and decide on its identifying features. Roam around the neighborhood. Know which photos can elevate the property more to potential buyers. This initial visit will also give you an idea of how to plan the shoot.

2. Plan the Shoot

After your initial visit, it would be much easier to plan the shoot. Consider the lighting and composition of the shot. You’ll know what lens you should be using to capture the entire room. While it’s good to take wide-angle shots, don’t forget about the details.

For example, it is important to take sharp and clear images highlighting the property’s features, such as the architecture and any high-end appliances. Prepare a shot list before starting the photoshoot.

Planning the shoot also means knowing the best time to do it. If, for example, the home is best highlighted with natural light, it might be best to schedule the shoot in the morning.

However, don’t discount the power of taking twilight shots.

Twilight shots give the home a different vibe. Think about it–home buyers often visit the property during the daytime. This means they don’t have the slightest idea of how the property looks at night. Twilight shots are best for taking exterior photos to showcase landscaping, pools, and fire pits.

The best time to do it is during the golden hour. The lighting inside the home and the mellow sunset give off a powerful image, resonating with the buyer’s need for shelter.

3. Stage the Home

Staging the home means elevating the space to allow home buyers to picture themselves in the property. Staging the living room, for example, should enable potential home buyers to imagine spending some family time.

When staging, clear the clutter and remove any signs of the property being lived in. There shouldn’t be any family pictures or stray toys lying around.

4. Take Multiple Shots

Taking several shots of real estate allows you to choose the best one that represents the property. For each room, take as many images as possible. Remember that you may not be able to use all images for a listing.

Experiment with different light compositions and determine the most appropriate for the property. Remember that light composition should be consistent throughout, no matter how many shots you take.

5. Experiment with Angles

Each picture should be taken from different angles to give the home buyers a general idea of the property’s layout. When you take multiple shots, take them from various angles.

Put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. How would they want to see each room? What angles allow them to picture the space by looking at the images?

6. Level Up Editing Skills

As a real estate photographer, you should also be responsible for editing the pictures. Be aware that you won’t always have the best shots every time. Getting accurate colors is a must. Learn how to do color correction. Make sure the images have straight lines.

Using editing tools that come with different features, like a background remover or a cloning app, to level up your editing skills.

Must-Have Equipment for Real Estate Photography

When starting a career as a real estate photographer, here are some of the investments you should make.

Digital Camera and Lens

Sure, mobile phones allow you to take beautiful shots, but they won’t be as powerful as a good piece of digital camera. There are tons of digital cameras in the market, so choosing the one that can serve you well is best. The ones that provide the best quality are the DSLRs, as they come with tons of features that will help you capture the shots as intended.

Along with your camera gear, you should also invest in various types of lenses. If your budget allows it, you should get a wide-angle lens, a zoom lens, and a macro lens. For starters, a wide-angle lens should be enough. They are pretty useful for taking pictures of enclosed spaces.

Tripod

Using a tripod is essential for taking real estate photos as it will allow you to achieve the highest level of sharpness and image quality. Tripods provide stability to keep the camera still, allowing you to avoid motion blur and camera shake.

They also allow you to precisely frame shots, ensuring the horizon is level and all elements are in the right place. Tripods allow you to adjust the camera’s angle, allowing for creative shots. Plus, using a tripod can help save time, as you won’t have to keep setting up and repositioning the camera.

Lighting Setup

While digital cameras come with a built-in flash, investing in a lighting setup can help you perfect your shots. For example, a remote flash can remove shadows.

Key Takeaways

Quality photography enables potential buyers to gain a better understanding of the property. Professionally taken photographs can give properties an impressive look, and may even help to increase their sale price.

Follow these tips to perfect your real estate photography skills: