Knowing how to photograph real estate doesn’t come first-hand, and it can take years of experience to perfect the craft. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks that can help speed up the process and deliver high-quality photos for estates and homes that will entice potential buyers.
From camera settings to natural light, all your images will be stunning. Both exterior and interior photos will present the best angles of the property to help it sell.
The team at FlyerCo has extensive experience in creating gorgeous real estate flyers by using professional photography techniques – we’re here to explain how it works.
What is Real Estate Photography?
Real estate photography seems straightforward, but there’s an art to getting it just right. Like any other photographer, the job of a real estate photographer is to take photos of commercial and residential properties that show favorable angles and lighting to bring out the best qualities.
Stunning real estate photography comes from an ideal photo session where everything from staging to lighting is controlled to present the best appearance possible. Post-processing edits allow for minor tweaks that accentuate the property’s selling points and create balance in the space.
Real estate photography can be done using drone photography and can include doing virtual tours when clients are unable to see the house themselves before the purchase.
At FlyerCo, we recommend using professional photography for your real estate flyers – check out our template gallery to get inspired, and read on to learn how to take real estate photos like a pro!
What Equipment Is Used in Real Estate Photography?
To create the stunning photos you see on websites and brochures, anyone experienced in taking good real estate photography will recommend using high-quality equipment to get the job done.
This includes a few things like:
- A flash unit
- Artificial light sources
- Tripods
- DSLR camera
- Post-processing program to edit in
Every photographer knows that too much contrast in your photos does more harm than good, and while virtual staging can help fill a space, it takes skill to make it look authentic. All of these elements should come together in a way that will make the final images look impressive and professional, rather than taking a few photos hastily.
It’s just as intensive as a photo session with a model, except in this case, the model is someone’s future home.
13 Tips for Real Estate Photography
Professional real estate photographers have taken their experiences and narrowed them down to a checklist that will lead you to success. This ranges from photography equipment to natural light sources and the best time of day to capture the optimal real estate photos.
1. Use a Shot List
Listing photos that need to be taken can help speed up the process and ensure that every captured photo improves the property’s curb appeal and shows off the dazzling interior.
A shot list includes, but is not limited to, multiple images of the following before editing:
- Two wide-angle shots of high-priority spaces, like the kitchen, living room, and bedroom(s)
- One photo of the bathroom and special features (such as the garage, pantry, and laundry room). If those are spacious or appealing, you may include more than one.
- One to three photos of the backyard (when applicable) or amenities from the neighborhood that all residents have access to.
A shot list is a great way to check off the parts of the house covered and the parts of the house that need more attention. Having multiple shots of high-traffic areas that are likely to be deal breakers can help highlight the best aspects and improve clients’ attitudes towards the space.
2. Ensure the Property is Clean Before the Shoot
No one wants to arrive for a realty photography shoot on a messy property. The real estate photographer’s job is to capture the best real estate photos they can, and a dirty property significantly lowers the final results. If taking DIY photos, make sure the space is tidy before beginning.
Potential buyers will be put off by frantic interiors or disheveled exterior photos. The best results will come from implementing real estate photography tips that create the best possible scenario and romanticize vital parts of the property.
3. Find a Good Home Stager
Similar to making sure the property is clean, staging the property is essential. Furniture and decor can make the space feel cluttered, but a professional real estate photographer knows a good home stager. While some things can be fixed in editing, it’s best to reduce the amount to highlight authenticity.
Utilizing the space and creating a look that’s open and welcoming will entice potential buyers.
When preparing to shoot real estate photography, a quick sweep through the property first can spare both real estate agents and photographers a headache during editing, while also preparing the session for the quality photos.
4. Choose the Right Time to Shoot
Shooting real estate photography requires knowing what time of day is best for taking photos. Some rooms present better in early morning light temperatures while others look brilliant during the golden hour, the peak time for taking shots like aerial photography and exterior real estate photos.
Making sure the weather is good will also improve professional real estate photography, the light temperature correction is easier to work with during the editing process. Poor weather will be reflected in windows, and any exterior photo would need to be retaken at a better time.
5. Use a Tripod
Rather than risk shaky hands or having to set up every angle, a tripod allows you to set the angle and maintain it, even if you need to adjust a few last-minute things. Harsh shadows and perspective distortion can negatively impact professional images, making spaces seem small and unwelcoming.
A tripod can also help capture longer shots with a wide-angle lens. A real estate photo shoot will go smoother with the right equipment.
6. Choose the Right Lens
Using the right lens will help establish the perfect real estate shots. Wide-angle lenses prevent too much ceiling from distracting the clients while also highlighting all the available space. Good real estate photos are defined by the way they frame the property, and trying different angles and lenses on a DSLR camera can help bring out the best in a property.
The rule of thirds to capture ideal real estate photography is simple and comes in handy. The team at FlyerCo advises that it’s all about understanding the best layout for success in home decor and staging. The perfect camera lens will capture the white balance as well as the balance between vertical lines in the rule of thirds grid.
7. Use Ambient Light When Possible
Ambient lighting is a must for real estate photography tips. Early morning or late evening shots during golden hour provide natural window light that people often attempt to fake for their images. While indoor lighting is often provided by interior lights, using natural light sources will improve the home’s curb appeal and value to clients.
Both residential and commercial photography benefit from using golden hour and studio lights to bring out the best qualities in a property. Interior photography can be tricky, but any skilled professional can use light stands to cast the right shadows and attract future buyers.
8. Be Careful Mixing Color Temperatures
The ideal photos in real estate photography have a neutral tone that’s uniform throughout. Mixing color temperatures leads to more work in editing to balance the colors and create a uniform look. Like many other real estate photography tips, this is geared towards minimizing post-production edits.
Virtual staging and lighting benefit from the convenience of dictating the lighting in a program, without natural elements at play, but taking real photos can be done just as well on-site. Shooting with too-high ISO levels will make photos look grainy, so it’s best to avoid it.
9. Choose the Best Perspective
Virtual staging can help create the ideal space, but it’s not always accurate. Using a wide-angle lens can capture more, but it’s all for naught if the perspective isn’t perfect. Capturing the right perspective can turn a small and cramped space into a cozy and quaint home.
Never underestimate the power natural light has over perspective. With the right wide-angle lens and shutter speed, moments that pass by in the blink of an eye can be captured to reveal the perfect shot.
10. Shoot at the Right Height
Making sure that the rule of thirds is followed includes shooting at the right height. Tripods are perfect for establishing the right height and preventing blurred images. Just one blurred image can be a deal breaker to those looking at listing photos.
With a few items to help, like a tripod, the perfect shot can be taken and presented as professional real estate photography for any commercial or residential property.
11. Correct Perspective Distortion in Post-Production
Sometimes, photos are perfect, minus a little distortion. The distortion can be corrected after the initial photo is taken in editing software, though it’s best to minimize the need for this when taking the photos.
Making photos look straight will improve the overall appeal and boost your chances of selling.
12. Use HDR
HDR stands for High Dynamic Range, and it applies to the lightest and darkest values in a picture. As mentioned in other real estate photography tips, lighting is a priority. With HDR, shots are enhanced to look their best by blending different exposures to highlight and contrast images.
A professional photographer uses HDR settings to balance spaces that often have exterior views, meaning that too much natural light comes in and alters the image. While a real estate agent understands that these views are a major selling point, they can be difficult to work with when photographing them.
13. Photo Compositing
Compositing multiple images together can create images that look like they are fresh out of a high-quality brochure. The pricing for these services doesn’t have to be expensive, and compositing images can help clients see the whole property at a glance.
Real estate photography benefits from showcasing the best elements of a house, and photo compositing provides several images all at once. This is the best way to present the property to a potential buyer with real estate photography.
FlyerCo offers affordable pricing for real estate flyers of all types – check out our pricing plans and place your order today!
How Should I Stage Real Estate Photos?
Many real estate photographers stage their photos, especially when the family still lives in the dwelling or the commercial property is still in use. Real estate photography is about presenting the best possible version of the property to a potential buyer, and sometimes that means dressing it up to make it look good.
It’s highly recommended to stage photos to make the space look less cluttered and more welcoming. The overall benefits outweigh the drawbacks of having to spend a little time cleaning up or rearranging.
How Many Real Estate Photos Should I Take?
The more photos taken, the better. While you only need a handful, taking more photos provides options that can be reviewed. It’s better to have too many photos of a space than not enough.
When you realize you’re short on photos, it can be a hassle to schedule another shoot, and there’s no guarantee that the space will look as neat and organized as it did.
The best range is to have two to three excellent photos for each space so that at least one image can be used for the listing. Having more photos available will potentially indulge buyers, but too many will also put them off. There’s a balance to achieve with real estate photography, and a handful of images per space is best.
The more images you have, the more options there are when designing your real estate flyer with FlyerCo. Check out our templates, choose your photo, and let’s get started!
What Filters Do Real Estate Photographers Use?
Real estate photography tips can often include using filters to improve and enhance the image without distracting from the original content. Different filters can be used to capture the best qualities in space, regardless of shutter speed.
The best filters account for UV and haze, as well as polarity and neutral density. These filters provide the best effects on photos, though every photographer has their personal touch with real estate photography.
Real Estate Photographer Tips: Final Thoughts
The team at FlyerCo is ready to help you put your professionally taken real estate photos to use on beautifully designed flyers!
Now that you’re prepared for the shoot, the power is in your hands. Once you have all the real estate images you need, turn to FlyerCo to create the perfect flyer that will generate a buzz around your property!