High-quality real estate photography attracts more visitors

Just as your business card photo gives a first impression of yourself, your listing photos give the first impression of your property for sale. Quality photos of homes for sale can make a big difference in the amount of interest in a property and the number of views. Studies have shown that the more photos a property has in an online listing, the more clicks it receives. Of course, quality counts a lot here! You want viewers to keep clicking your photos and not be distracted by another, more engaging listing. Below are some basic photography tips for the DIYer.

Focus, focus, focus! Most digital cameras will focus automatically. Just lightly press the shutter button and you’ll probably find that your camera does half the work for you. Once your camera is in focus, keep a steady hand and quickly capture the shot.

Try all the angles. Sometimes the slightest difference in angle can make a big improvement in the overall shot. Move around the room and take a variety of shots from different angles to capture different features in the frame, such as a grand staircase in the hall, a fireplace, a pool, or a landscape.

Lighting is your best friend. Try taking pictures with and without flash. Try turning on more lights in the house. You’ll quickly see which way will look best so you can continue with your photo session. Try opening the shades and be sure to come prepared with some basic light bulbs to replace burned out bulbs in table or floor lamps. An image always looks better if the lamps are actually on.

The first photo of your real estate listing should be as fantastic as possible. This photo is usually an exterior shot of the house taken on the best possible sunny day. Remember to show only your house and cut out neighbors’ houses on either side if necessary. Tidy up the yard, mow the lawn, put away the garden hose, toys, and garden decorations, close the garage door, remove all cars and trash cans from the driveway, and open all the shutters inside the house. Finally, try taking the photo from the opposite side of your driveway. This trick reduces the amount of unsightly pavement in the photo driveway. The photo above is a great sample of an exterior photo that entices people to want to see more.

The following are the photos of the interior. Not all rooms need to be represented by a photo. For example, a small bathroom probably isn’t something you need to take a picture of, unless it has amazing tile work or a designer look. The most important rooms to photograph include the kitchen, the living and/or family rooms, the dining room, and the master bedroom. Other potential rooms to feature would include a home office, secondary bedrooms, and possibly a luxurious master bath or spacious master closet.

Other highlights to include would be a basement, especially if it is partially or fully finished, and of course any major outdoor spaces such as patios, pools, golf course views, and professional landscaping. Additional photo opportunities would include impressive community features such as gated entrances, ponds, fountains, walking trails, and playgrounds.

By following these tips, it’s easy for anyone to capture the best features of a home, including experienced realtors or homeowners trying to sell by owner. Remember, as with anything, practice makes perfect. If your photos don’t turn out as expected, choose another day and try again. You will be amazed at the difference in photo quality taken on a cloudy day compared to a sunny day. For even more impact, try a nighttime exterior photo of a house with beautiful exterior lighting up or even a photo of a roaring fireplace on a snowy day. Putting a little extra effort into taking the best photos will possibly ensure that your listings stand out from the crowd.