10 Photography Do's and Don'ts for Real Estate

Your listing photos are most likely the first thing that a potential home buyer will see. Take the time to make sure the property is ready to take great pictures. Here are some simple things you can do to make sure your listing is presented in the best possible way.

1. Prep the space. Share the Listing Photography Checklist ahead of time with your owners so they know the expectations for the day. Need a copy of the checklist? Let me know and I'll send you a copy! Don’t save all these tips for your high-end properties. All of your listings should get the same attention. You never know which one will sell first!

2. Tell a story when adding your photos to the MLS. Think about how you would show the property to a buyer. Would you take them upstairs, backyard, downstairs, garage, kitchen? No, but that’s how many real estate photos appear online. Use your photos to walk someone through the home and property as if you were with them. 

3. Using a wide angle lens is preferred for taking photos of real estate. Just beware of creating distortion (fish eye effect) that will not adequately represent the space.

4. Toilet. Seats. Down.

5. Reserve taking photos in “portrait” unless you are in a tight space or highlighting a special feature. 

6. Check the mirrors...are you visible? 

7. Toilet. Seats. Down (yes, I said it twice)

8. Take the outside photos on a clear, blue sky day. Does this mean you may have to come back another day? Yes, it does. 

9. Be careful of over editing your photos. The property is what it is and doing too much editing can disappoint a potential buyer, anger their agent and possibly be an ethics violation. Don’t take chances. 

10. Straighten your photos. Most computers and phones have photo editing software. Take a minute and be sure you didn’t angle the camera when you took the picture. 

    Bonus Tip: Check your lawn sign often. Nothing says “I don’t care about this listing” then a sign that is falling down, faded or has been destroyed by a mower. Do a drive by and make sure all looks well - it's your name on that sign!