10 Real Estate Photography Tips - by Liz Shemaria

Seeing is believing, and for your home, stellar pictures can also mean thousands of dollars in your pocket. Show, don’t tell. 

With 89 percent of buyers searching for their next abode on the internet and 51 percent finding their dream home online, quality photos can be a powerful tool to landing that “for sale” sign. 

Real estate experts at HomeLight talk about some of the best tips to make sure that your home’s photo shoot delivers optimum results. 

Hire a professional

The best way to get top photos is to hire an expert. You’re likely to find that the cost is worth the investment — with the national average for a home photo shoot ranging from $110 to $300. 

Create a game plan

You’ll want to schedule a pre-shoot walkthrough with your photographer to identify issues (like low lighting) before picture day and a “shot list” — a list of scenes for the shoot, with an emphasis on your home’s best features.

Create a game plan

You’ll want to schedule a pre-shoot walkthrough with your photographer to identify issues (like low lighting) before picture day and a “shot list” — a list of scenes for the shoot, with an emphasis on your home’s best features.

Clean, clean, clean

Simply tidying up won’t do if you want your home to shine. From sweeping cobwebs away to scrubbing floors, you’ll want everything to look its best. Decluttering is another must.

Get your home runway ready

Soft staging can take your home up to the next level by adding decorative accents without extra furniture — such as artwork, colorful bathroom towels, and fresh flowers. 

Take photos after your remodeling project

Wait to schedule your photo shoot until all remodeling work is done. It may add a few extra days to your timeline before listing, but it’s worth it.

Let there be light

Natural light is best for photography, which means you want to make sure every window covering is clean and open for your shoot. If you have rooms that are dark, you can swap light bulbs for ones that mimic daylight—such as LED bulbs.

Check the weather

Since natural light equals exquisite real estate images — especially for the exterior — sunny and clear, or partly cloudy weather is the best for your photo shoot. Most photographers will reschedule without charging extra if the weather is the culprit for canceling. 

Let your photographer do their job

It’s advisable to be home during your photo shoot to answer any questions, but the last thing you want to do is look over your photographer’s shoulder. Trust the expert that you hired and stand by if needed. 

Show off 

It might seem challenging to select the best images from the hundreds your photographer is likely to come back with. One tip is to include all of your home’s primary living spaces. If there is a reason to skip some areas—such as the half-bath that wasn’t remodeled like everything else in your home —then omitting the half-bath is the right move.

Don’t post too many photos

Posting too few photos online is a major mistake—but it’s equally as bad to go overboard. You want to create enough intrigue so that a potential buyer will want to see your home in-person. 

Liz Shemaria

Contributing Author

Liz Shemaria is a journalist and founder of the organization Echopop. A third-generation Northern Californian, Liz launched a news site for AOL, where she spent two years covering real estate development, business, crime, education, and politics.

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