Whoa, Back It Up! The Camera, I mean.

As part of my continuing education as a home staging professional in Fresno, Ca for Selling By Design-Staging I like to keep up with local MLS listings. Lately I've noticed that  a lot of the photos are up close shots of details in the home. Highlighting the home's finishes, granite, back splashes, unusual or expensive floor tile designs,stained glass windows etc. is always a good idea, but most of the pictures should be shots of the whole room. The detail shots should focus in on what has already been photographed in a wide shot.

I just saw a listing in which only one out of 14 shots was of a whole room. The others, all closeups were pretty, but confusing. There is nothing to show off the square footage, windows or room flow. I couldn't tell if it was staged or even cleaned. Hmm, maybe that was the point of the limited shots. I don't know, but the pics would certainly not inspire me to visit the property.

Before they make the trip to see a listing most buyers like to see complete pictures of the interior and exterior of a home. A few closeups highlighting eye catching features are fine, just make sure the rest of the home is the main attraction.

So back up that camera and catch the whole room.

Cute chairs, but I'not in the market for furniture. I need to see the room.

Great granite! Where's the rest of the kitchen?