Best practices for taking real estate listing photos
They say a picture is worth a thousand words. The adage could not be truer in the world of real estate where images have become effective tools to make properties stand out from thousands of other listings. But like any other aspect of real estate, taking good listing photos is also an art, that you need to hone with patience. We have compiled a few do’s and don’ts that will help agents as well as owners take better real estate photography and make their images, do most of the talking.
The Do’s of Real Estate Photography
Light it up
While taking real estate listing photos, use light to your advantage. Images that make use of natural light are the ones that usually turn out to be the best.
Part the curtains to let maximum light into a room before taking pictures. Additionally, try taking pictures of the property or a room at different times of the day to see at what time the image looks best.
Pictures that are taken while using flash end up having an unnatural feel to them in general. So, it’s better to skip the tool rather than settling for an average photo.
Keep the camera steady
One of the best methods to ensure a good picture is to provide a steady base to the camera. It may be tempting to use your smartphone to quickly take and upload the images onto a website.
However, using a camera on a tripod will get you better results and increase the attractiveness of your property. If you are in the business, get a tripod. The difference between a steady picture and one taken with a free hand shows almost immediately.
Keep it low
While we see things best standing tall, the trick doesn’t really work when taking real estate pictures. Try taking pictures from a height of three and four feet. Pictures from these heights have more defined angles and portray the space better visually.
Cut the clutter
Always take pictures of a property at its cleanest. Residual water on the floor, a garden covered with fallen leaves and main gate with rust marks can do an advertiser more harm than good.
For example, the water can give viewers a notion of leaky plumbing, while the leaves and rust marks could make the property appear hard to maintain.
Plan when you want to take the pictures and then make the effort to clean up the space for a pleasing end to your real estate photoshoot
Show off attractive and practical spaces
A lot of photographers end up taking pictures of properties just for the sake of it, leaving out crucial aspects.
Does the property have a pool, a balcony facing a park, a landscaped waterfall or a basement that makes for a cosy reading spot? Does it have a clever storage area beneath the staircase?
Put such parts of the property in the spotlight. Properties that offer something extra to prospective buyers always receive more inquiries. It will be a shame to not put those features into perspective.
Let the views speak for themselves
A property with great views has a natural edge over others. And you don’t need to rely on complicated aerial photography to get this edge.
An image of the view of yachts in the Dubai Marina, the Arabian Gulf or the Palm Jumeirah, a glimpse of the Burj Khalifa from one corner of the sitting area or a kitchen overlooking a spacious garden are pictures that leave little to the imagination.
Always incorporate such features in your images to make your listing stand out.
Skip empty spaces in interior real estate photography
Furniture and fixtures usually aid viewers in estimating the space available in the property. Empty space is a problem largely faced by owners of newly built properties. While spaces that are occupied and furnished speak for themselves in the images, four walls and a floor can do little to inspire interest.
If possible, hire home-staging professionals who can get your premises ready for pictures. If that is not an option, try taking pictures that minimise the effect of the emptiness. You can play up various facets of the property’s exterior, the garden, the views around the premises and even the street view.
Step Back for a Wider View
A wide-angle lens generally distorts the sizes of objects in the picture. Objects closer to the lens will appear larger, while those further back will appear smaller in size than they actually are.
This visual deformation will make your room appear disproportionate and not very attractive to viewers. An ideal alternative is to take a step back if you wish to include more of the room in the image.
The don’ts of taking listings photos
Publish blurry or distorted images
Nothing says unprofessional like blurred photos. Lenses may sometimes make your images look distorted, especially around features like archways. Keep a lookout for bowed features and edit them before they go on your listings. The same applies to commercial real estate photography.
Shoot from a single angle
Even something seemingly minor like taking a few steps away or towards a well-lighted spot can make all the difference in how your image stands out.
Take generic photos
Generic pictures, like exterior shots of apartment buildings which are indistinguishable from each other, really don’t add any value to a property listing. This is especially true if nothing in the images is prospectively attractive to your target audience. So your exterior real estate photography doesn’t cover anything that may add value to your listings websites, like a barbecue area or swimming pool, leave it out.
Hire a generalist
If you prefer leaving the photography to the professionals, hire an expert that specialises in real estate photography specifically. A professional property photographer will not miss out on important details during a shoot — details that make the difference between someone clicking on the listing or passing it up for one that looks more visually appealing.
Let anything extra in
Little things may get in the way of your photos, even after a good de-clutter. This can be anything from a piece of unfolded clothing on a coach in the photo of a living room to a stack of notes lying on the table. Miscues like these can be irritating when they accidentally show up. So, it’s better to remove the extras and retake the photos rather than use imperfect ones.
To pitch a home in today’s tech-driven world, property owners need to be serious about their marketing strategies. High-quality photos have the ability to capture a potential buyer or tenant’s attention. This is important, considering that most people start the search for homes online.
This concludes our guide on real estate photography for online listings. Did we miss a point or two? Leave us a comment if you have any other valuable suggestions to add to our list. If you plan on taking other photos for your portfolio in the country, consider photography rules in the UAE. Want to perfect your craft? Brush up on your skills with the best photography courses in Dubai. And if you plan on using your newfound skills to improve your business’s social media accounts, start by checking out our Instagram tips for real estate agents. After you learn real estate photography, it will be a good way to showcase your talents.
Want to improve your listings? Increase your chances of bagging clients with our tried and tested customer service tips for real estate agents.
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