Top 5 Tips for Successful Real Estate Photography

There are several steps I take to prepare for successful real estate photography; some well before the photos are ever made.

Here are my Top 5 Tips for Successful Real Estate Photography:

 

1. Communication - Finding out what the client is hoping to achieve and by when. Will the shoot strictly be photos for MLS, or will I produce multimedia content such as panoramas, 360's, video or a photo flight in addition? Among other things, this gives me and idea of the camera gear I need to bring, and how much time I need to allow for post-production, and additional coordination.

 

2. Lighting - What time of day is the sunlight best on the front of the house, or the elevation which will be showcased? Does the backyard have a pool and pool house, etc.? Should I plan on a second visit, or can I cover the lighting with exposure blending and HDR photography? There are a number of sub-steps here, including checking the weather and even the tide tables at times.

 

3. Visualization - The Walk Through - When I first arrive on site, I ask the home owner or agent to join me in walking the house, pointing out features and omissions, while we turn on every light in the home. It is important to get all the lights turned on, as they take some time to warm up to the proper color temperature - especially fluorescent lights. During this period, I am visualizing photo angles and the approach I will take to make interior photos.

 

4. The Shoot - We are all busy folks with a bunch of work and appointments to pack into a day. The steps above allow for the photo portion of real estate photography to flow smoothly and quickly. It is not uncommon for me to shoot 25-50 high-quality views in 1.5 - 2.5 hours on site, depending on the size of the property. I may use available light, flash, multiple flashes, or High Dynamic Range blending to make the photos. The walk through helps me to determine my approach.

 

5. Post Production and Delivery - All of the preparation and work up front allows for quick, quality photography and media to be delivered on time as promised. I've worked out with the client a delivery schedule for MLS photos, as well as additional views and media in various presentation formats.

 

Having a great camera and gear are also important, as well as knowing how to use them. The 5 steps above will allow you to grow your abilities, and increase your confidence in consistently creating high-quality photos and media for your listings and clients.

Properties Shown Represented by Vanessa L. Saunders WeSellNY.com

Andre R. Aragon | Real Estate Photo Coach

TriState360.com