Real estate photography tips for better selling your property.
Incorrect Immo photos are a major source of frustration for buyers. Poorly taken photos scare off buyers. They just zap through, the property is not given a fair chance and buyers do not make an appointment.
In the digital age, the first impression of a property often comes from online photos on real estate websites. Quality property photos are therefore essential to attract and convince potential buyers. A well-exposed photo makes all the difference in the perception of future residents.
So why do we find so many bad pictures on the internet? The answer is simple. A seller, homeowner or estate agent is not a photographer. A photographer is not a real estate agent either, right? Paying no or far too little attention to interior photos is a missed opportunity. Especially when you know that 97% of buyers start their search via the internet.
Composition, exposure and camera settings are the most important things to watch out for.
For example, it makes absolutely no sense to make rooms look bigger than they really are. On the contrary, using the widescreen lens incorrectly works against you. You will disappoint the potential buyer when he visits the property. He will experience that the rooms are smaller than they look in the picture and rightly feel cheated.
Ready to dive into the world of real estate photography? We decorate more than 400 properties a year with real estate styling, in the process we learnt a lot of tips on real estate photography that we are happy to share with you.
Tips for Perfect Real Estate Photography
| ASPECT | IMPORTANCE |
|---|---|
| Camera settings | High |
| Exposure | Essential |
| Equipment | Crucial |
| Composition | Important |
| Professional photographer | Recommended |
| Post-processing | Necessary |
We have listed a few basics of Real Estate photography.
Technical Aspects of Photography
- Camera settings: Adjust ISO settings depending on lighting conditions. Use slower shutter speeds in darker areas and make sure you have straight and vertical lines in your composition.
- Exposure: Natural light is best, but sometimes different exposures or different lamps are needed to avoid harsh shadows. Post-processing in programmes such as Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom can help achieve the best exposure.
- Use a tripod. You cannot possibly take a sharp and correctly exposed photo without a tripod. If you don't have a stable tripod in your basic equipment, invest in this or engage an experienced photographer.
Composition and Framing
- Note the composition of the photo. A photo should be "interesting" and look "aesthetically" pleasing. I.e. drawn from the right point of view and depicting as much ceiling as floor space.
- Personal Stuff: Remove personal items to create a neutral and homely atmosphere for the potential buyer.
- Rooms Eyes Bigger: Clean-up and the right composition combined with a wide-angle lens make rooms look bigger.
- Make straight photos. No frog stork perspective photographed from the ground/air. Photos that look "weird" almost always sin against these principles.
Respect relevance at the photo shoot.
- For buyers, a photograph should show all the important things that are of interest to them. I.e. an overall picture of the living space, a clear picture of all important rooms, all bedrooms, all appliances in a kitchen, the full bathroom (shower, bath, double sink)....
- Also make the reportage logical. Start with the front facade, the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom(s), bathroom(s) and finally - if present - the garden or terrace.
- You don't photograph a separate toilet, nor the inside of a garage or a garden shed. You better mention these in your description.
- I recommend showing max 15 photos, unless you have a very large property with more than 5 bedrooms.
Invest in a widescreen lens.
- Small and/or narrow spaces (kitchen, bathroom) cannot be beautifully portrayed without a widescreen lens.
- Above all, don't put them in the largest position, as you will distort your image.
Working with a Professional Photographer
- A professional photographer has the skills, experience and equipment to make every picture of a property perfect. They take into account detail and ensure that each photo is carefully reviewed and any minor changes are made for the best results.
- A real estate photographer has the experience to make your property look better too.
Post-processing
- Post-processing of every photo is indispensable. Every photo must be checked and edited in detail.
- Count as much time for taking the photo as for post-processing. A photo shoot of 10 good interior photos takes about 20 to 30 min, count at least 20 to 30 minutes of post-processing.
- You can find free programmes on the internet, Picasa, Photoshop. If you want a really professional approach, I recommend Lightroom.
- Why is Post-processing Important: Even the best real estate photographers sometimes need post-processing. Whether it is adjusting exposure, editing colours or removing unwanted objects, post-processing can transform a good photo into a great one.
Invest in photography training.
Hopefully, our real estate photography tips have made you a little wiser. Are you passionate about Immo photography? Then follow our course real estate photography, we teach you to work well with your device.
Taking a nice, straight, well-exposed photo is one of the most difficult tasks in our job. Count on having to take about 5,000 photos before you reach an "acceptable" level.
Real estate photography is more than just taking pictures. It requires technical knowledge, the right equipment, and an eye for detail. By working with a professional real estate photographer and taking these real estate photography tips into account, you can ensure that your property stands out and makes a lasting first impression.
