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Photos that capture buyers and agents attention.

I was hired to take photos of is home. It is listing by a great agent from our office. She took some photos 2 months ago and they not interest buyers I guess. So, home didn't get an attention it deserves.

I am sharing with you photos of the same house taken by a listing agent and me, two months later.

I also wanted to ask your opinion on the following mater.

Some photos that look very bright usually capture your attention and you click on the listing just to see. Pictures look quite unnatural, but very interesting. Do you think, it is a good idea to use this technique for brining more attention to the listing? Or better to stay with photos that look quite close to the originals?

Lakewood, WA.

http://www.johnlscott.com/36197

This home offered at $649,950. It has 2,482 Square Feet, 3 bedrooms and 2.25baths.

My photos:

living room living room at lakewood, wa

Posted by Irina Fernandez on 05/29/2008 07:42 PM

Comments (36)

lakewood wa, real estate, irina fernandez photos of the listing home for sale, quite, historical, water, lake, lakewood gardens

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36 Comments on Photos that capture buyers and agents attention.

MAY

2008

The difference is literally night and day! :)

There is no reason mot to have plenty of high quality pictures to show off a listing.

WOW!!! Spectacular pictures, I love the angles on your pictures. Great Job!

I actually like them both. The scenery is a really nice treat along with room features.

Irina.. GREAT pictures. I like all of them.

Nice shots and a beautiful home. Should be an easy sell. Best of luck!

Irina,

Our job is to get the buyers to come look at the home. I also use a professional photographer. The last listing I used him on we had 7 different buyers looking and within 4 days had a full price offer. I can't say it enough with everyone starting their search online those pictures will get their attention better then any narrative you might write.

Irina your photos look much better. Did you get paid for your photography since you were not the listing agent? maybe you should ask?

MAY

2008

Thank you everyone! I was a little bit concern about my extreme Photoshop editing. I know they look very bright and a little bit crazy. Well, no one of you said that it's the problem.

I did get paid for it, for the first 6 months I charge $40 for it. Then if I will get a better camera and more clients, I might increase the price.

Nice photos - using good composition always adds impact. You did a great job and $40 is way too low.

I wouldn't charge less than $75-100 for this and its worth more. Its not just the gas and time that costs, its to post-processing that makes the photos really jump out.

yes, Thomas you are right. Sometimes, I think I have low expectations, I guess. Also, it is hard to chard money for something you are enjoying.

JUN

2008

My client, Li Er, sent me an email with this comment:

Hi Irina,

In terms of the photos, I like the ones that show the rooms. The brightness is good and it does help market the home better. When I look at photographs of homes on the website, I am looking primarily for information; what I can infer about the finishes ( Carpet/hardwoods/ crown moulding? door frames, panelling) and floorplan ( how rooms connect). These help me decide if those homes are worth looking at. Those that focus on details don't help me really and I usually consider it a waste on a website. However, I like how you brightened the photos in the room shots and I think it certainly presents the home much better than the original ones. It does encourage one to "click" Hope that helps.

My Client Aaron wrote:

Hi Irina,
On the pics, if you are able to close the aperature and slow the shutter speed, it will give a better depth of field, increasing the area of the picture in focus, especially for the pics with the flower in the foreground and the subject in the distance. I would go as slow as 1/30sec on the shutter hand held, but if you can brace the camera or use a tripod, you can set the aperature priority and go for longer exposures, 1sec or more. Also, a neutral density filter can be a good tool for those pics with a subject in the foreground and background.

Take care, Aaron

JUN

2008

You have a GREAT eye. thank you for sharing. I love this photography group. I have learned so much.

JUN

2008

Your photo comparison is amazing and it just goes to show another example of why a seller needs to think hard before hiring the first agent without comparing their skills and services.

Very nice job. I liked the shallow depth of field on the flower, artsy, interesting, good tease. Sometimes a good tease helps further interest.

I ofte take low angle pics of counter tops, back splah, kitchen faucet to further inhance the kitchen.

very nicely done.

JUN

2008

Irina, Really good job. Definitely speaks to the value of hiring a photography provider. As you point out, it is not just the time and effort to take the photos that make the difference -- many times the standout shots that really get noticed only happen with good bit of time on the computer with Photoshop or other software to adjust sharpness, color, etc. Most agents don't have the time to devote the effort required to really make the shots POP so great that they have found you. Definitely worth it when it draws more attention to the listing!!

Thank you, Trish, Greg, Sam Miller and everyone who left their comments. I actually think that those photos were not my best job, because I put my camera color setting to VIBRANT and they came out too bright and hard to work with. I will post a different photo blog today with a photo from a different listing that look much better.

JUN

2008

I definitely think that professional photos are a crucial component to selling a home...

I'm glad to see there are agents out there that understand how important it is! :0

JUN

2008

There is another post now that's talking about how we make the homes look to good and the buyers are dissappointed.

As long as your photos truly represent what is being sold then you are doing it right.

You have many artistic talents

This was a really good blog. I love all the comments. Thank you everybody. Since I have posted this, I got three more photo job for new listings. It started fast and I am truly enjoy it. Thank you for using my service!

JUN

2008

Irina,

I certainly notice a difference....as someone who yearns to take "outstanding photos" I am impressed with your skill. My favorite was the flower in the front....I look forward to future blogs....

Linda

JUN

2008

Great job! I like the use of the light and wide angle shots. It takes a good eye to take great pictures like these. Good for you for letting people know of your service! Best of luck and if you can share any tips on how you were able to get so much light, I would appreciate it!

Best regards,

Elaine Gibney, Realtor

Keller Williams Realty Olympia

Irina - Great post. The difference in the pictures sure do tell the story.

Irinia: Outside of misrepresenting the property (like cropping out power lines etc.), any photo that gets a buyers attention is worth doing. Your photos are beautiful.

Irina what kind of camera do you use to shoot your photos? I hope youve joined the photography group here on AR?

JUL

2008

Your photos are gorgeous. I would want to look at that house.

JUL

2008

This certainly shows the value of good photographs to help to sell a house. It doesn't even look like the same house. What a great job!

AUG

2008

Your photos literally jump off the page. Who wouldn't want a closer look!

Are you sure this is the same property, great photos.

Have A Wonderful Day

AUG

2008

Irina! What a difference! You have an artistic eye. I love the bearded iris shot.

AUG

2008

Those pictures are great. Did you take them?

Irina, I think it is good to show all the details on the interior. You did a good job. Don't short change yourself, the photos are good. Good job.

I like the second set of phototos but I would add one photo of the front of the house.

AUG

2008

Wow you are a good photographer, wish more of us agents were, I know I take only good photos, not great ones. One day I was so swamped I could not get to taking photos and I sent my assistant, I from then on sent her to take pictures, she is SO much better than I am! Thank you for the photo tips!

Great pictures! If I was a buyer and I saw these pictures I would definitely want to see this property in person. :)

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