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Tips for real estate photography

Written by Floorfy | Apr 19, 2023 10:55:32 AM

Tips for real estate photography

Photography is very important when showing properties in real estate. Shooting good images can make all the difference in attracting potential buyers, as they will be more attracted to properties that appear to be more beautiful than others, and it can also help sell properties faster. For this reason, it is essential to learn how to capture the best photographs to promote your property.
Here are some tips on how to capture the best real estate photographs:

1. Invest in a high-quality camera

Looking to showcase a property's essence in its most alluring form? Look no further than a top-quality camera. While today's smartphones boast ever-advancing cameras, professional-grade equipment offers unparalleled features for capturing superior, higher-quality images. Furthermore, with advanced exposure and focus adjustment settings, as well as other technical aspects, the photographer can customize each shot to perfection, achieving the ultimate image.

Research shows that professionally photographed homes bring in a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot and creates a good impression. Invest in a high-end camera, and witness the difference it makes in your real estate photos, all while attracting a wider pool of potential clients.

Please refer to our article “ Recommended cameras for real estate photography”, the best cameras for real estate photography, with different prices and features.

2. Use a tripod

A tripod ensures camera stability, which helps prevent blurred images. It also allows you to adjust your shots more precisely, ensuring that your photographs are level and framed correctly. Using a tripod can make a significant difference in the quality of your real estate photographs.

If you are interested in purchasing a tripod, you can find a wide variety at specialty photography stores and also online, such as Amazon. It is important to choose a tripod that will support the weight of your camera and is easy to use. 

Investing in a high quality tripod will make a difference in the quality of your photographs and is a worthwhile purchase for anyone interested in real estate photography. 

3. Prepare the property

When it comes to selling a property, presentation is key! A flawless presentation is guaranteed to ignite your clients' desire to purchase. To achieve this, it's crucial to ensure that everything is neat and tidy. For furnished properties, it's recommended to clear out any personal items. To add a cozy and personalized touch, consider incorporating decorative elements such as flowers, art, scented candles, and other attention-grabbing details. Not only will this enhance the overall aesthetic of the space, but it will also help potential buyers envision themselves living there. Remember, the key is to strike a balance and not overwhelm the space with too many decorations. Choose wisely, and watch as a beautifully presented and organized property becomes the game-changer in securing that sale!

This video shows you how to prepare your property in the best way and obtain the best possible photographs.

4. Take advantage of daylight

When it comes to real estate photography, natural light can be your best tool. It is important to take advantage of daylight, open the window curtains and blinds, also take advantage of it and capture your photographs during the day. If the room you want to photograph does not have a lot of sunlight, you could consider using extra light sources, such as activating the camera's flash or photography lamps. 

In the case of outdoor photography, outdoor light can also be very useful for highlighting landscape features and architecture. When photographing the exterior of a property, it is important to consider the time of day and direction of the sun to get the best possible lighting.

5. Focus on key features

When it comes to real estate photography, it's not just about capturing images of the property, but also conveying its character and personality. It is important to highlight the most outstanding and distinctive aspects of the property so that potential buyers can visualize themselves in it. One way to achieve this is to focus on the property's location and highlight unique features, such as outdoor space or a spectacular view.

Also, it is essential to understand the type of property and its target audience. If the property is geared toward families with children, it's important to highlight play and entertainment areas, as well as features that make the property more welcoming and family-friendly. On the other hand, if the property is aimed at the elderly, it is essential to highlight the accessibility and safety features, such as access ramps, adapted bathrooms and non-slip floors.

Another important factor to consider when taking real estate photos is the design and layout of the property. It is essential to photograph the spaces so that potential buyers can have an overview of the layout of the spaces. To achieve this, it is advisable to take pictures of the larger spaces, such as the living room and dining room, from different angles.

6. Edit your photos

Photo editing is an increasingly common practice in the world of real estate photography, as it can significantly improve the quality of images and make properties look more attractive. However, it is important to note that not all touch-ups are created equal and some may result in an image that is not an accurate representation of the property.

 Therefore, it is essential that any photo editing be subtle and natural. For example, adjusting the brightness, contrast, and color balance can make the image clearer and more vibrant without distorting reality. In addition, it is important to select the right editing program for the needs of each project. There are a wide variety of options available, from free programs like Canva to professional-grade programs like Adobe Lightroom. You can watch these videos below on how to use these websites to edit your images.

 It's important to remember that while photo editing can improve image quality, it should not be used to mislead people. Photos must be an honest and accurate representation of the property, without distorting reality. Therefore, it is important to use editing tools responsibly and with good judgment to ensure that potential buyers have an accurate idea of ​​the property.

7. Take advantage of HDR mode

The HDR technique (High Dynamic Range or High Dynamic Range) is a very useful tool in real estate photography to capture images with a greater amount of detail in different areas of the image. This technique consists of merging several photographs taken with different exposures to create a final image that shows the lightest and darkest details of each of the photos.

 To get the most out of the HDR technique in real estate photography, it is important to follow some tips. First of all, it is important to use a tripod to ensure that the photos are perfectly aligned. It's also important to adjust your camera's white balance before taking photos to ensure colors are accurate.

 Once the photos have been taken, different editing programs can be used to merge the images into one. Some popular options include Photomatix, Adobe Lightroom, and Aurora HDR. It is important to remember that touch-ups should be subtle and natural to create a final image that is a realistic representation of the property.

 The HDR technique can be especially useful for indoor photography, where there is a large difference between the darkest and lightest areas. For example, a room with windows facing outside can be difficult to photograph correctly due to the large difference in light. However, with the HDR technique, it is possible to capture both the exterior and interior of the room in a balanced and detailed way.

To take photos with HDR in real estate photography, follow the steps below:

 1. Set up your camera: First, make sure your camera is set to take photos in HDR format. Many cameras have the HDR option built into their setup, while others require the installation of an additional app or software.

 2. Put your camera on a tripod: To take HDR photos, you'll need to take multiple photos with different exposures. Placing your camera on a tripod will ensure that all photos are taken from the same position and angle.

 3. Frame your shot: Frame your shot and make sure that all the elements you want to highlight in the photo are within the frame.

4. Take multiple photos: To take HDR photos, you'll need to take multiple photos with different exposures. Adjust the exposure to take one normal photo, one with a darker exposure, and one with a lighter exposure.

 5. Combine the photos: Once you have taken the different photos with different exposures, you will need to combine them into a single HDR image. You can use image editing programs like Adobe Lightroom or Photoshop, or mobile apps like Snapseed or HDR Camera.

 6. Edit the final image: After combining the photos into a single HDR image, you can adjust the levels of brightness, contrast, color, and saturation to create a final image that highlights the most prominent features of the property.

Conclusion

Real estate photography is a critical aspect of showcasing properties and attracting potential buyers. If you invest in a high quality camera, use a tripod, prepare the property, take advantage of natural light, focus on key features and edit your photos, you can take excellent real estate photographs that will help your properties stand out in the marketplace.