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Which angle works best?

I have read a lot on Active Rain about the importance of using really strong photos of the front of a home. In our photography training we focus on getting the best image we can of the front of the home. I often find that Realtors who take their own photos spend very little time or effort thinking about this and seem to simply stand directly in front of the home when taking a photo. Some don't even get out of the car!

We teach our stagers and marketers to walk in a 180 degree half circle around the front of a home, taking several photos from each angle. Sometimes, the best angle is not the obvious one. Here is an example:

Taken from the road - the white picket fence leads your eye away from the home. It looks like a visual barrier and the viewer can't see a path to the front door, which makes the photo have less impact.

Taken from the driveway - Can't see the front door at all and the house looks like all garage.Nevertheless, this is the view most people see.

Here is the same photo as the one at the top without the fence - notice how much more comfortable the home looks?

Here is one from the less-obvious angle. See how much larger the home looks? In training, this one always gets the most votes.

What do you think?

Posted by Thomas Scott - Showhomes on 04/21/2008 10:39 AM

Comments (20)

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20 Comments on Which angle works best?

Very nice angle that really shows off the house. Thanks for sharing your advice!

04/21/2008 10:55 AM

by Renae Fulton, GRI (Keller Williams Realty)

Thomas. I agree. That really shows the house and the size off. Thanks for the post. Royal..

04/21/2008 11:09 AM

by Royal Goodman @ GI Group, LLC (GI Group, LLC.)

Try this technique next time you photograph a home. You'll be surprised at the results and a really good photo ALWAYS increases showings which leads to sales.

04/21/2008 11:11 AM

by Thomas Scott - Showhomes (Showhomes)

Obviously, the last photo is the best of the bunch. But I can't help wonder if there is even a better angle. Sometimes using a wider angle lens can get you in front of trees or add more dramatic lines to a house. Standing on a ladder or kneeling right in front of a flower bed are options. And the weather and time of day can add a dramatically different mood to a photo.

04/21/2008 11:16 AM

by Joe Virnig, "No Ordinary Joe" (RE/MAX Gold Coast REALTORS, Ventura County, California)

Good advice, Joe - you are right about angle of view and time of day. This is an overcast day and the light is not overly cheery. That sounds like good fodder for another post....

Thanks, Thomas

04/21/2008 11:19 AM

by Thomas Scott - Showhomes (Showhomes)

Wow -- very good advice! Thanks for including the photos in your blog.

04/21/2008 11:42 AM

by Tori Lynn Ross - Omaha's Premier Home Stager (Ross Designs, LLC)

I like the third one the best. good lesson thanks

04/21/2008 08:13 PM

by Fernando Rosado ASP, president IAHSP PBC 561-906-0050 or 561-840-8950 (Eclectic Home Staging of the Palm Beaches)

I think you should be posting in the Photography Group. We could use some fresh blood.

I like #4 - it really shows how big the home it and shows off the roof gables.

04/21/2008 08:24 PM

by Maureen Henry - Rockland Home Staging (www.rocklandhomestaging.com)

I also prefer the fourth photo. The house seems to have more character and it does appear larger.

04/21/2008 08:58 PM

by Joanne Paquette, Image Home Staging (Image Home Staging)

Great tip - one that I will definitely put to use! I often prefer the creative and "unexpected" shots... photo #4 shows the home at its best and stands out from the rest. Thanks for sharing the 180 degree tip!

04/21/2008 10:14 PM

by Lisa Sherman ~ Interior Aura... Home Staging & Redesign Services - Salem, OR (Interior Aura)

Good story about this home - we gave the photos to the Realtor and the showings increased after being stagnant for a while. A good exterior photo is possibly the most overlooked marketing piece when staging a home!

04/22/2008 09:59 AM

by Thomas Scott - Showhomes (Showhomes)

WOW, thanks for sharing. I too like the last one the best!

04/22/2008 02:12 PM

by Kristi Oliver (Atlanta Georgia Home Stager) (Atlanta Staging & Design)

Great post. The angle sure makes a difference.

04/23/2008 12:12 AM

by Amy Prouty (Home Staging)

The last is definitely the best. Thanks for the lesson!

Kim Dillon, Creative Eye Home Staging

04/23/2008 07:44 AM

by Kim Dillon (Creative Eye Home Staging)

This was a very informative post! Thanks for the insight! It's something we all can use when we're considering camera angles.

04/23/2008 09:05 AM

by Morgan Schott, Staging Atlanta's West Side (Sweetwater Staging & Redesign)

Thomas I want to thank you for this post. It inspired my most recent exterior shots of a house and it will become part of my realtor presentation this next week. Due to your examples I took many, many shots of a house yesterday and the angle that looks the best is the last one the I decided to take as I was getting ready to drive away. Gracias!

04/23/2008 03:37 PM

by Ginger Foust- Dream Interior Redesign & Staging (Dream Interior Redesign & Staging by Ginger Foust)

Thanks! I'm glad it made a difference. Try it in a room and you'll have the same results -

04/23/2008 03:48 PM

by Thomas Scott - Showhomes (Showhomes)

I've always done it on the inside, then come home and delete all but the best. But I've never really focused on the exterior before your post. We don't have "curbs" in my area and although curb appeal is still impt. that has not been my focus. It's tough enough getting sellers to make any changes in my locale. I do discuss it with sellers/realtors but haven't often been asked for exterior photos. Now that will change. Thanks again.

04/23/2008 03:52 PM

by Ginger Foust- Dream Interior Redesign & Staging (Dream Interior Redesign & Staging by Ginger Foust)

Thanks for the tip! I take hundreds of photos because you never know what you will get!

04/23/2008 09:03 PM

by Bevin Googer ~ www.StagingAndRedesign.com (First Impressions Home Staging and Interior Redesign)

I vote for the bottom one. It really shows a lot more of the house and accentuates the depth. Too bad the trees and shrub obstruct the view somewhat. Joan

04/29/2008 12:02 PM

by Joan Inglis (Lake Wylie Home Staging)

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