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Real Estate Photos Shouldn't be a "Where's Waldo" Puzzle

By Richard Strahm

Real Estate Broker/Owner with American Foursquare Realty RM423982

March 04, 2011 02:02 AM

Real Estate Photos Shouldn't be a "Where's Waldo" Puzzle

How many times do we see a real estate photograph where it's almost a game to try and find one redeeming factor about what the agent is trying to show off? You know what I'm talking about!

Most of the time, it's not the house that has a problem -- it's the photographer! Composition is key when taking real estate photographs!

Now some people say that composition can't be taught. You either have a good eye, or you don't. Hogwash!

It takes conscious thought when framing a photograph. If you run through a house and take a few quick snapshots -- you'll end up with boring photos. Keep these simple thoughts in mind:

Find some fresh angles to work from
Fill your frame
Get your horizontals horizontal!

A picture is truly worth a thousand words. But too many real estate pictures elicit one word -- "Huh?"

My goal in any real estate photograph is to highlight at least four keys points that a potential buyer is going to be interested in.

In this picture:

Composition in Real Estate Photography

The potential buyer sees, 1) Granite counters, 2) Open Floor plan, 3) Stone accent wall, 4) cathedral ceiling.

But there are really so many more things this picture highlights because of it's composition.

How many can you name?

Want to make sure your home is marketed with great real estate photography? Give Richard Strahm of RE/MAX Realty Group a call at 215-853-2624!

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Comments(19)

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Mike Saunders

Retired - Athens, GA

Richard - very nice photo showing a bright and airie living area. A couple of other tips, use a tripod to keep the camera level & take pictures from all parts of the room, from all directions, with different zoom settings. With digital cameras the only cost difference between 1 picture and 100 is a few minutes of time.

Mar 04, 2011 02:12 AM

Jim Courtney

OklaHomes Realty, Claremore Oklahoma - Claremore, OK

CRS, GRI, AHWD

I agree to make the photos as interesting as possible. I've shown way too many homes in the office to have the client say "pass" simply because of the first couple of photos. Nice shot by the way. i will definetely be paying closer attention to my own now. :)

Mar 04, 2011 02:13 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Mike - Great point! Digital photography has made the job or real estate photography so much easier.

Jim - I agree. Bad photos mean less in-person showings.

Mar 04, 2011 02:20 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Richard - I couldn't have said it better myself and for anyone not sure about this subject, I invite you to look on MLS and see why this blog is spot on! This MLS photo perfectly illustrates your point - no words necessary...

Mar 04, 2011 03:11 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Kristine - Wow! Even if you were to lighten the picture up so it doesn't look like the black hole of Calcutta -- it doesn't get much better:

I bet the home stager in you wanted to get rid of the overstuffed chair and open the curtains (among other things!).

Mar 04, 2011 03:31 AM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Before you lighend the photo, I couldn't even tell that was a chair - lol! And that's just the beginning - you have no idea of the mental changes I've already made in this room like the "bedding". Too bad I can't make money doing that! BTW - I suggested and have been inspired to write my own post (giving you the credit for my inspiration of course) on this very topic! Stay tuned..,.

Mar 04, 2011 03:42 AM

Liz Wallace

Century 21 Sherlock Homes - Rockville Centre, NY

Broker C21 Sherlock Homes, Rockville Centre, LI, N

I noticed the fireplace, beautiful light fixture, hi hats, great back splash, pristine condition and oh yes they are Christian.

Mar 04, 2011 04:01 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Kristine - I can't wait to read it!

Liz - Yes -- the Cross Conundrum. Since the house is not overly holy, I don't think it's too off-putting to those that might be put off. But you are right -- it does become a noticeable item in the picture!

Mar 04, 2011 05:26 AM

Lawrence "Larry" & Sheila Agranoff. Cell: 631-805-4400

The Top Team @ Charles Rutenberg Realty 255 Executive Dr, Plainview NY 11803 - Plainview, NY

Long Island Condo and Home Specialists

Gotta admit that's a pretty picture. It shows so much more than just a center island kitchen. Kudos!

Mar 04, 2011 06:41 AM

Carla Muss-Jacobs, RETIRED

RETIRED / State License is Inactive - Portland, OR

I saw what Liz saw, the nice bricked mantel of a fireplace and the cross. The cross conundrum is a good way to put it. Good examples, and I liked the way you lighten up the bedroom!! That makes a world of difference too.

Mar 04, 2011 07:55 AM

Ted Tyrrell

RE/MAXCamosun (Chatterton) - Victoria, BC

Selling Homes in Beautiful Victoria

Richard, a few other things I see are: a Tiffany style light over the island, pot lights in the ceiling, oak cabinets, oak-look laminate flooring in the kitchen.

Mar 04, 2011 08:36 AM

The Scott Loper Team Bux-Mont Premier Properties

Keller Williams Real Estate - Montgomeryville - Lansdale, PA

Hi Richard,

This kitchen is so pretty it seems like it would be hard to take a bad photo of it. But you do take terrific photos! The cross jumped out at me too. I hate to admit it, but we might have taken it down for the photo and then put it back up afterward. God forgive me!

Lisa

Mar 04, 2011 09:12 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Thanks, Larry & Sheila!

Carla!! I didn't realize the cross would be so noticable!

Ted - Good eye! Yes, that is laminate, which is a bit incongrous with the other high end finishes.

Lisa - I'm sure God would give you a bye on that one! Can I convince anyone that it's really a stick doll?!?

Mar 04, 2011 09:21 AM

Virginia Gardner

Roy Wheeler Realty Co. - Charlottesville, VA

Realtor, Charlottesville, Serving Central Virginia

I want to be enjoying a large glass of a great red wine. But, really, I want to know what's on the other side of those cabinets!

Mar 04, 2011 02:01 PM

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Richard - Your inspiration for my blog got me a feature so a big thank you to for the great idea and I linked back to you. Check it out when you get a chance!

Mar 06, 2011 07:34 AM

Richard Strahm

American Foursquare Realty - Lansdale, PA

Lansdale and North Penn Real Estate

Kristine -- you, my dear, are the best!

Mar 07, 2011 12:26 AM

Charles Edwards Bentonville

Coldwell Banker Harris McHaney & Faucette 479-253-3796 - Bentonville, AR

AR REALTOR, Bentonville Real Estate Agent and Broker

Great great photo example and post Richard. You deserve a promotion.

Mar 07, 2011 08:12 AM

Karen Rice