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Real Estate Photography - Twilight photography during the holidays...

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Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605

Real estate photography - Twilight photographyThis is my latest installment of “Sights Of The Season” – even if it is a bit of a cheat….It was just the other day that I got a call  from a client requesting twilight photographs of a listed home.  This is the first time I’ve worked with twilight photography on a home that was decorated for the holidays.  But, I agree with the the saying  ”When you’ve got it, flaunt it!”    Certainly this house has “got it”.  It was tastefully decorated in a way that appeals to almost anyone.  They didn’t go over the top, but they didn’t do too little.  The home has wonderful large windows that offer a warm glow at dusk.

 

Twilight photography is generally done for higher-end homes and they offer a really great “pop” that home buyers notice when they are cruising through photos on the MLS.  It makes them stop and take notice if a house presents well at dusk.  This type of photography also attracts potential sellers who see it as a sign that the listing agent is willing to go that extra step to  make a home stand out from the crowd.   I love doing twilight shoots of homes because I really enjoy  low light photography generally.  Many of my fine art shots are at, or near dusk.

For homes, it takes some cooperation from the homeowner and the understanding that timing is pretty crucial.  There is a window during sunset/dusk where taking photos is most effective.  The sky is a deep blue at that time with just a bit of the remaining light of the day creating  that lovely deep color.  As the sky turns to black, it gets harder to create that warm impact.  All the inside lights of the home need to be on because that is what is going to light the home and create that warm inviting feeling.  At this time of year, in New York, the time frame for this is early and unforgiving.  Last night it seemed to be at its best at 4:45-5:15…a really narrow sliver of time.  The photo at the top was taken at the beginning of that time frame – around 4:45 and the final shot below was taken at about 5:15-5:20.  So you can see how fast the light changes and how fast the window opens and closes for this type of photography during the winter months.

Twilight Photography For Real Estate

© 2013 – RGHicks – http://fotosonthefly.biz – all rights reserved.

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Comments(13)

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Women of Westchester Working Together
Women of Westchester Working Together - West Harrison, NY
Women helping Women get ahead

This looks outstanding, Ruthmarie, and you're right - it's appealing to all. it reminds me of a few homes I saw in a nice area in Cortlandt Manor. - Debbie

Dec 21, 2013 07:52 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Ruthmarie, you did a great job on these photos and I can see why these sellers wanted these photos done.  The home looks fantastic in this light, warm and welcoming!

Dec 21, 2013 08:37 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Ruthmarie -- great shots and very informative post.  Well-done.   

Dec 21, 2013 08:52 AM
Bette Gottwald
UNITED REAL ESTATE | Central PA - Mechanicsburg, PA
"Bet"on Central PA Real Estate!

Beautiful work Ruthmarie, thank you for sharing such an interesting post.

Dec 21, 2013 09:20 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Hi Debbie - Thanks.  I love doing low-light photography.  I always loved sunsets and dusk and when I started taking photography seriously, I did spend a lot of time working out the issues that many shutter bugs have with sunsets and low light.  So I've become pretty good at it, if I do say so myself.  I've done a few twilight shots for agents in the past, but this was the first time I did something during the holidays - specifically for the holidays. 

 

Hi Silvia, the angular nature of the home can make it look cold.  It looks more inviting with the warm light coming from the inside. 

Hi Michael - Thanks.

Hi Bette - Glad you enjoyed it. 

 

Dec 21, 2013 10:56 AM
Juli Vosmik
Dominion Fine Properties - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale/Cave Creek, AZ real estate 480-710-0739

Ruthmarie, you are SO right - not overdone, very tasteful.  And, your photo really does it justice.  Well done!!! Thank you for sharing.  

Dec 21, 2013 12:54 PM
David Saks
Memphis, TN
Broker / Industry Analyst

Great information. Thanks for sharing. Have a fine week ahead.

Dec 21, 2013 04:19 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY
hi Juli - Thanks - its a very nice listing. Its not mine...I did the photography only. Glad you liked it David.
Dec 23, 2013 09:39 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

These twilight photos do make the home look very attractive!

Dec 26, 2013 10:05 AM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Hi Joan, they add a special dimension.  Its not for every home. But for some homes, it really makes a difference. 

Dec 26, 2013 02:07 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Hi Debbie, 

I like doing twilight shots during the winter months.  Lawns tend to be very blah during this time of year, and twiligt photography really adds a "pop" that can attract eyeballs.   Glad you like the photos.  As you can see, I'm moving more towards real estate photography and am launching an editing service for agents anywhere.  Processing really makes a huge difference. 

 

Feb 10, 2014 05:11 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC • Short Sale • Probate

Your pictures are so warm and inviting.

Photography is like magic. Only the magician knows the tricks:) Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

Jul 06, 2014 07:00 PM
Ruthmarie Hicks
Keller Williams NY Realty - 120 Bloomingdale Road #101, White Plains NY 10605 - White Plains, NY

Thanks Inna - I have to start blogging in the rain more....

Jul 07, 2014 01:30 AM