Real Estate Photography isn’t simple.  It has unique requirements that sometimes conflict: 

• It’s about selling a space and the lifestyle it can contain. 

• It needs to be flattering to the home and engaging to the buyer. 

• It needs to be a reasonable and accurate representation of the property. 

As a successful Real Estate Professional, you have many skills.  Like most in your profession, you probably use a digital camera for fast and easy images of the properties that you list.  Your photos have been good enough to sell plenty of homes, so why change how you work now?

This article is to help Real Estate Professionals understand how to start taking better photos, and naturally includes some personal notes on the techniques I use.  The truth is that getting better is easy.  There are some skills to master and there is some equipment to acquire, but it’s a process that you can start right now.

Do you want people to describe your service as being “good enough”? 

The built-in lenses on Point-and-Shoot cameras rarely give a wide enough view to show a room, and even the lenses that are included in Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras aren’t very wide.  For better results you will need a dedicated wide or ultra-wide angle lens, and be prepared for some sticker shock.  The popular Sigma 10-20mm lens retails for about $500, and they climb from there.  The ultra-wide lens that I used for all of the photos on this page sells for over $1500, and is worth every penny.

Step Two: Keep It Square and Straight.

Now that you’ve spent some money on your camera, you’ll be glad to know that this step is free.  All it takes is time.

Hopefully the floors in the homes you sell aren’t crooked.  Your photos shouldn’t be, either.  It may seem like a simple thing, but it’s a very common mistake made by photographers in a hurry.  Horizontals must be horizontal, verticals must be vertical.  A crooked camera will distract potential buyers from the home of their dreams.  Also watch for straight lines near the edge of the photo, as these will often bend outwards no matter what you do.  It’s called “barrel distortion,” and it’s a problem that affects most less-expensive wide-angle lenses.  It can often be corrected with image manipulation software like Adobe Photoshop, or with specialized software such as LensFix.

Step Three: Add Light.

You need a powerful flash.  The best lighting is subtle and looks natural, even when it’s the dominant light in the room.

A powerful flashgun that attaches to your camera is indispensable.   Pivoting the flash to bounce light from the ceiling will get you better than “Good Enough” results in many rooms.  And once you’ve learned the abilities and limitations of your on-camera flash, you will have reached the starting place for gaining more sophisticated equipment and experience in placing and controlling light.  Above all else, the lighting is what defines the different levels of service I provide and the time a shoot takes. 

Step One: Go Wide.

Using a good wide-angle lens makes the difference between photographing a wall and photographing a room.  But be careful, because they can be a challenge to use effectively.

I’m a professional photographer who enjoys Real Estate as much as you do, and I specialize in interior photography.  You don’t need to spend seven or eight thousand dollars to match my equipment, I’ve already bought it for you.  You don’t need to leave your clients standing alone while you work your way through the house, I can be doing that while you take care of more important matters.  The next time you walk your clients through the steps you take when listing their home for sale, watch their eyes when you say:

“And then My Photographer will ...”. 

But why wait...?

High-quality photography isn’t a mystery.  When you’re shooting your next listing, remember to be wide, bright, and square.  With practice,  you’ll be able to give your clients an advantage over other agent-photographers’ listings when buyers are searching for their dream homes.

But why wait for a competitive advantage?

Powerful lighting is something that everybody notices, and bringing in professional gear makes a lasting impression.  Your clients really will see your service and dedication in a new light.