This is a photo of a window in my house.  I am especially proud of my creative way of decorating this problem window but this photo should never be part of a listing.  At a recent Digital Photography course for real estate people (worth a couple of CE credits) and using this photo as an example,  I learned the following:

  1. Never shoot a photo towards the light.  As you can see the cream coloured walls look black.
  2. Use an external flash to fill in the room with enough light.  The built-in flash on the digital camera is not strong enough.  Again, the walls around the window disappeared.
  3. No fancy frames around a photo or soft focus edges.  A house listing is about seeing the rooms not the wonderful options available in Picnik or Photoshop.
  4. People love to see windows in a room.  You will certainly want to include them.  Try taking a minimum of 4 photos in each room, one in each corner.  If there are slate blinds, have the homeowner raise them as the blinds will give a moray pattern on the photo.
  5. Try to get 90% of what you want in the original photo.  Most listing services have standard landscape and portrait sizes to upload.  Anything unusual, like this square cropped photo, will not show well on the 10 or 12 photo spaces available. 

I like to take a few photos of homes that I list but I always hire a professional photographer for the all important MLS® photos and I use every allowable space. 

Don't shoot your listing in the foot with bad photography.

 

Valerie Zinger  valeriezinger@gmail.com 

Ottawa, Canada      613-859-7759

 

 
Posted by Valerie Zinger on 03/07/2011 07:18 AM   Comments (41)   Listing Photos in the Technology and Tools Channel   zingers, listing photos  
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41 Comments on 5 Photography Tips for Listings

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

MAR
07
2011
469,913 Points 24 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

HI Valerie,

Great tips, very cool window, and as an architectural feature, I actually like the surroundings washed out (in some cases)

but in most cases your tips are very timely just going out to take some pictures for a potential listing later today..

Thanks for teaching us all.

 
11:21am • #22
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sussie:  I was pretty happy to get a couple of credits but the course was a disappointment - I wanted to learn more.

Peter and Linda:  You are most welcome.  I am also from the school of take a whole bunch of photos and hope that a few are excellent.  For the window, I took about 15 photos and then decided on this one, 
11:32am • #23
778,935 Points 38 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

It's true, mls photography is different from every day photography.  I love Picnik, but wouldn't use their features to frame or 3D a mls pic.  Those agents who are not very good with a camera should use a stager who offers photos as part of their services or they should hire a prof. photographer.  The pictures are too important!
11:37am • #24
203,628 Points

I encourage you to post this in the Tips & Techniques for Better Real Estate Photography group.
11:51am • #25

Great tips, Valerie.  Keep 'em comin'!
12:38pm • #26
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Sharon:  So true.  People select homes to view based upon the photos so they better be attractive!

Lee:  I didn't know about this group.  Will definitely join.  Thanks

Kimberly:  Thank you.  These tips are good for day to day photos as well. 
1:07pm • #27
482,984 Points 59 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Our local camera shop offers a 3 hour class in photography. Reading your blog has inspired me to check it out more closely. Nice photo!
2:41pm • #28
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Cynthia:  Thank you.  There is so much you can do with a digital camera.  The best part is that you can take 100 photos and not pay to print a single shot.  Love it.  Hope you find a course.  There is so much to learn.
3:17pm • #29
473,505 Points 16 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Photos are so important when selling. The ones that get me have been taken with the wrong wide angle lens. The lens distorts the room giving the buyer an incorrect expectation.
4:39pm • #30
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Janice:  You think you are going to see a huge home with spacious rooms and find a tiny little 50s bungelow.  There is a way to take wide angle photos without too much distortion.  The thing I hate seeing is any photo of a bathroom on the MLS® no matter how nice it is.  Save those photos for another site and certainly keep the seat down!!!
4:42pm • #31
932,205 Points 73 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks for the photog tips Valerie.  It's an area I need to make a concerted effort at getting better on.
7:07pm • #32
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Anita:  It does take some practice.  It also helps if you like using a camera.  If not, I highly recommend the services of a professional photographer. 
7:38pm • #33
388,783 Points 21 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Valerie, and I do believe simplicity is better, so please edit!
8:31pm • #34
378,688 Points 84 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

All great tip on photography Valerie - even I learned a few things and I'm a seasoned photographer! Great blog as usual.
10:40pm • #35
MAR
08
2011
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Ellen:  You take wonderful photos.  Simplicity is good.

Kristine:  Thank you.  The course cost $35 but now it seems I came away from the class with something so it was worth it. 
7:32am • #36
548,345 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Pictures are vitally important and we should always ensure that we are presenting a home in its best light.
4:52pm • #37
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

So right Chris.  If it doesn't show well on the internet the number of people who want to visit the home is greatly reduced. 
6:31pm • #38
MAR
10
2011
579,395 Points 37 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Valerie -- that's a wonderful window!  Photos on the MLS are so critical to the success of the listing that I hope most listing agents hire a professional photographer. 
2:09am • #39
MAR
11
2011
541,769 Points 119 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Maureen:  I just saw a listing photo that was taken like mine but the purpose was to show off the shutters on the windows. 
4:48pm • #40
OCT
04
152,508 Points Outside Blog

Great tips and reminders. I'll make sure that I remember them. THANK you very much!!
4:59pm • #41

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