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Listing photos taken by two different people. What is the difference?

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with Artazum, LLC

Since the last photo related blog was so popular, I decided to share some more stories about real estate photography. Last week I showed a very nice home, which is listed by the owner on MLS for owner, to my buyer. A day before the actual showing, I went to preview the property myself. The owner did a great job with the marketing materials.  She put together a home book with utilities bills, information about an area, and all updates that have been done in the last 10 years. I gave her some advice on how to stage the place. The next day, my buyer really liked this home, but thought that it is a little bit overpriced.  That evening I spoke to the owner and gave her some feedback. I also proposed to help them and take some good photos of their home. They really appreciated it. In addition to changing all photos on MLS they also dropped the price by $15,000. 

That's why I can show you an example of photos taken by a regular camera, with no staging and no editing in Photoshop - next to photos that have been taken by me on a good, but not an expensive camera.

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Comments (27)

Thesa Chambers
West + Main - Bend, OR
Principal Broker - Licensed in Oregon

you both did get the toilet seat down - good job - nice job showing the differenc

May 10, 2008 05:00 PM
Rob Baldwin
US ECO-GREEN REAL ESTATE INC. - Santa Clarita, CA
REALTOR, Santa Clarita

Irina, nice job with the pics. Just goes to show you, not only are we REALTORS® but we are photographers as well.

May 10, 2008 05:54 PM
Bob & Carolin Benjamin
Benjamin Realty LLC - Gold Canyon, AZ
East Phoenix Arizona Homes

Very nice photos. You did a good job. Amazing how better photos always make a difference.

May 10, 2008 06:33 PM
Ted Baker
Carmody and Associates LLC - Winter Haven, FL
MidFloridaMediation.com

I do enjoy your photo blogs, Irina.  This one shows again that you have a good eye as a photographer. 

It also reinforces a good rule to remember - each listing photo should highlight a feature of the house.

So many agents take a picture of a room and fail to tell a story with the image.

Good job !

May 11, 2008 12:17 AM
Stephen D White, E-Pro, ABR Cape Cod Real Estate
SDW Realty of Cape Cod - Falmouth, MA

Excellent job Irina obviously you took your photos into a better light and a little further away focusing on each room with enough floor space as to see more in each shot. Of course you are also showing off the house's best features- the wood floor, the white staircase, the furniture accessories etc. You should and I would think most realtors would ask for the listing!! You deserved it! Have you ever tried to edit it your pics slightly to enhance its brightness?

 

 

Cape Cod Realtor sdw1

May 11, 2008 02:50 AM
Gene Allen
Fathom Realty - Cary, NC
Realty Consultant for Cary Real Estate

Now you want me take good pictures and tell a feature with each one.  I can do that.

May 11, 2008 11:56 AM
Susan Peters
Dove Realty Inc. - Seattle, WA
The Better it Looks the Better it Sells

Irina,

These people should have their heads examined for not listing with you on he spot! Beautiful job.

May 11, 2008 03:54 PM
Jennifer Kirby
Kirby Fine Homes - Minneapolis, MN
The Luxury Agent

It always amazes me how the angle you take a photo from can make all the difference, or the subject for that matter. My weapon of choice is a wide angle lens.

May 12, 2008 05:25 AM
Iriana Shiyan
Artazum, LLC - Bellevue, WA
Atazum Seattle Real Estate Photography

Jennifer Kirby, I used wide angle lens for some of this photos. It is good if it is a bright day and you do not need flash.

May 12, 2008 05:43 AM
Konnie Mac McCarthy
MacNificent Properties, LLC - Cobb Island, MD
Broker/Owner - VA & MD "Time To Get A Move On!"

Beutiful photos! Great house

May 17, 2008 12:50 PM
Loreena and Michael Yeo
3:16 team REALTY ~ Locally-owned Prosper TX Real Estate Co. - Prosper, TX
Real Estate Agents

So often, buyers who search on the Internet make a decision to view a house because of the "photography"......... and sometimes they dont even know it!

May 18, 2008 03:46 PM
Doris Freeman
Zach Taylor Real Estate - Gallatin, TN
Broker/Agent, 615-961-7799

You really have the touch when it comes to photography and using the right angles, Thanks for sharing

Have A Great Day

Aug 25, 2008 09:48 AM
Leah J. Armstrong
House to Home ReDesigns & Real Estate Staging Vancouver B.C. - Port Moody, BC
Home Staging Port Moody B.C.

Ted, you said it all - each listing photo should highlight a feature of the house.  Speaking as a home stager, I always ask the questions "What am I selling in this room?"  and "Where will the photographer stand?" before beginning to restyle.  Internet pictures are the first introduction to a house; curbside is in second place.  Make sure they are great!  Irina, you have a great eye.  Thanks for the pics.

Aug 25, 2008 10:14 AM
Stephen D White, E-Pro, ABR Cape Cod Real Estate
SDW Realty of Cape Cod - Falmouth, MA

Irina your photos should be selling the "Best" Features of the house. I agree with Leah. And your pictures should focus on their best qualities as they do. Space, Focus, Perspective, Balance, Lighting to enhance these best features are everything!!

Aug 25, 2008 11:19 AM
Shannon Elizabeth McInerney
DesigningReality - Dumfries, VA

Irina,

Great photos! Perspective plays a huge role in the success of photography!

Sep 10, 2008 06:38 AM
Paul Viau
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog - Halifax, NS
Nova Scotia Real Estate Blog + Photo Services

Irina,

Your photos are super! Buyers are drawn to good photos! Lighting is 9/10 overlooked in my market.

Sep 10, 2008 09:35 AM
Everard Korthals
---Preferred Lifestyle Advisors--- - Lancaster, PA
Mountain Realty

Staging and light is where it's at. Great examples!

Sep 11, 2008 05:19 PM
Jason & Amber Gardner
Hasson Company, Realtors - Sherwood, OR
We're Committed to Your Success!

Great photos.  There is really a difference in gaining a good perspective on a home and it's features by staging, using the correct light and the angle.  You're very good at it.

Great way to provide a value to FSBO's and get their listing.

Amber

Sep 17, 2008 04:48 PM
Rob Drexler
John L. Scott - Belfair - Belfair, WA

Nice job... taking photos of room interiors is very difficult. Staging, lighting, angle and lens size make a huge difference!

Oct 21, 2008 08:46 AM
Christina Williams. REALTORĀ® TN property search & local insights
First Realty Company - Crossville, TN

Big fab difference.  Very good job. Pictures can make or break is the seller even would like to see the home!

Oct 21, 2008 08:52 AM