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Here is my 10 Photo Commandments List for sellers that I just created and have now added to my pre-listing package, and plan to include in my listing presentation. 
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25 Comments on The 10 Photo Commandments
Sheldon - so glad to see you back and chatting with us! I saw a listing recently for a $900K+ home with not 1 but 2 raised toilet seat photos - different bathrooms. And BTW I took this pic intentionally as a demo.
Margaret - I NEVER leave the seat up. LOL
Jeff
I agree that photos are very important. It's one of my pet peeves when a listing only has one, or even no photos. But at the same time, I can understand why there may not be many photos...but never not a one. You can at least get a photo of the front of the house. I've got a listing right now with a seller that just got divorced. He doesn't want me to get interior pictures yet, but it is important for us to get the house listed right away. He's been a bachelor for quite a while and not a happy one. He has some cleaning to do before I can take interior pictures.
Okay Jeff, if you ever sale my home and take picture, I'm going to need some time to make some corrections before you get there.
:)
Great post.
Oh Gee Jeff, you mean i have to start from scratch on my picture taking..lol...great true advice!
Debbie - yes, there are exceptions, and I have certainly had them as well. The whole point of this is making the commitment to do the best possible photos within the circumstances, and to have a dialog with the sellers about the issues.
Tom - I suspect that is true for many people who decide to sell. Unfortunately it seems that some agents do not care. And some sellers clearly don't either.
Ginny - oh we have all made mistakes in our photos from time to time.
Jeff
I have always wondered why I see so many photos of toilets.
Melissa
In this day and age of indoor plumbing it doesn't seem necessary to convey to buyers that there IS at least 1 toilet in the house. ONe does have to wonder. Granted bathrooms, especailly small ones are not easy to photograph but why even include unless it really IS outstanding. LOL
Jeff
I hate seeing blinds closed during the day. I hate seeing garbage cans. I hate seeing rugs in bathrooms and I hate seeing the dogs dishes!
Jeff, I think these are great photo commandments. There are some rooms, those on an angle and rooms that are small that are difficult to capture. We do the best we can … highlighting the great features and minimizing the not so great features of a home. You’re hired!
Jeff, I have a problem with number 2. What if I have to go quickly, number 2 maybe the cause of an embarrassing moment :)
Jeff
Very good and effective list. That open toilet one is crucial as can be.
And in Southern California thou shalt not take pictures on a rainy day....
LaNita - LOL. So tell us how you REALLY feel! I agree, though.
Kathleen - no doubt some rooms, homes, and sellers, present some significant challenges,
George - you are REALLY in trouble if the house is vacant and the water off, seat up or not. LOL
Jeff
Hi Jeff, That was quite a good list of commandments. I especially liked the one about the toilet. I will try to remember all these, :-)
I also say NO photos of children. Some realtors take photos that show off furniture and art work. REALLY?? It makes me crazy the photos I see.
I just showed a rental today. My clients are paying my fee and this was found on Craigslist. I asked the owner after if she would list the rental with me instead of trying this on her own. Of course she wants all my trade secrets, but her photo of the front of the house was terrible. Grey, crooked and just plain awful. We were all pleasantly surprised to see the home was actually pretty.
Well, she will not get showings, and hopefully give me back a call. I let her know that our marketing is DIFFERENT than her. Not being a professional, she has an excuse. When I see agents do the same thing, well... that is NOT forgiveable!
Hi Jeff - Sounds so simple, but apparently a lot of agents don't understand that the purpose of the photos is to market the home. Just a few days ago I was looking for a property for a client and on one listing there were pictures of two different open toilets, a table, a door, and a lamp among the 8 photos. I have no idea what that agent was thinking.
Great list, and great idea #11 from Hella.
My personal entry at the top of the “what were they thinking?” list is the photo taken with a cell phone camera from through the side window of the car with the rear view mirror in the picture!
#11 Thou shalt not use a phone or tablet (regardless of price) to take photos
#12 Thou shalt hire a student of photograpy or ameture photographer if your too cheep to hire a professional.