Any tips on taking good real estate photos?

Question

Hi all,

I'm looking for tips, suggestions, and/or links to examples of how to take great marketable real estate photos.  I'd like to do this myself without outsourcing.

Thanks!

Andrew Syrios · Answer

A couple tips from an amateur: 1) Buy a high quality camera, 2) take the picture of the front at a 30-45 degree angle (makes the house look bigger), 3) Take the pictures in the middle of the day, but 4) Don't take exterior pictures with the sun in the shot, 5) Go for wide shots that make the house look big (although I don't generally like wide-angle lenses because people actually feel disappointed when they get there) and 6) The house still needs to be nice. Good pictures won't fix ugly.

Aaron Lovett · Answer

I choose to hire a professional photographer for my listings, but I can see both sides of this one.  There are still so many agents out there taking truly awful pictures, that even a minimal amount of skill with a camera might put your photos above average.  On the other hand, if you are aiming for the best, hire a pro - seriously.  View it as part of your cost of doing business - and isn't really that expensive anyways.

But, if you insist...

1. Take some photography classes, and watch everything you can about real estate photography on Youtube.  Learn about framing, exposure, HDR processing...

2. Spend some money on a decent fast wide-angle lens, tripod, off camera lighting, and software.  You don't have to spend tens of thousands, but you'll spend more than a few hundred...

3. Practice a lot!  Use your home, friends' home, etc.  The big rooms are easy.  Challenge yourself to make a half-bath or galley kitchen look spacious, and to make dim rooms look bright and airy.

I thought when I got started that I would minimize expenses by doing the photography myself.  After all, I have the skills and the equipment.  But, I found out quickly that my time was better spent on my business, and professional real estate photographers can either do a better job, or a quicker job, or a better and quicker job.  =)  Even when I take my photographer's pictures and tweak them (re-crop, photoshop something out, etc.) I still saved myself a ton of time by having them do the bulk of the work.

In any case, I'm sure you can do a fine job taking your own photos.  The photography is all about highlighting the best features of the subject, light, and framing.  The business is all about doing that as quickly and efficiently as possible.  Post some pictures of your work when you get going!

All the best to you!

Alexander Felice · Answer

I'm a real estate photographer on the side.

The difference between what a profissional can produce, and what a GWC (guy/girl with camera) can do is night and day. you can't take GREAT real estate photos without deeply learning photography. It's not an equipment difference, it's understanding lighting and composition.

if you want GREAT photos, pay a (well qualified, professional) photographer the $200 they are unquestionably worth.

I know that's now the answer you wanted, but consider the perspective.

Aaron Lovett · Answer

Yes, @Andrew Johnson, my photographer does aerial photography and flyover videos for my listings here in TN.   I find that the more experienced photographers know what I will want to highlight.  Hopefully they wouldn't zoom in on a damaged roof!  Wetting down the driveway can make it look nicer by darkening everything up and reducing the contrast between clean concrete and oil spots, cracks, etc.  My photographer doesn't do that - it's not really a thing in this area - but maybe I should ask!

Alexander Felice · Answer

A dslr is a decent start, but by the time you start to maximize it's effectiveness, you've spent more time and money than you would have for a photographer....and you'll have worse photos.

You don't need great equipment to do real estate photography, but you need to know how to use it. An entry level dslr, a wide angle lens (16-35mm is ideal almost always). A heavy tripod, lots of off camera flash. And post processing software.

A few hundred bucks. But tons of Hours of practice.

It's no different than hiring a plumber. Sure you could learn to do it, but the return isn't there.

Great photography skill is grossly underappreciated. Now if you want to fall in love with photography (which I recommend to everyone ;) ) then real estate is a decent place to start (The subject doesn't move!)

Gina Baker · Answer

@Alexander Felice, I certainly appreciate the honesty!  I have a DSLR camera, although perhaps a little dated, that I'd love to put to use (over my cell phone camera).

Any tips on taking good real estate photos?

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