Real Estate Photography

[Tim Spencer]

Ok, I have a chance to do some real-estate photos on a contract basis. I have not done this before but I have researched extensively and I’ve looked at thousands of photos and know the good from the bad.

Here is my general take – looking for pointers or anything I’m missing please!

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On mid to high-end houses, great photos can make a significant difference in numbers of showings and in final negotiated prices. Most real estate photos suffer from the following:

• Photos are too small.
• Lighting is very poor (too dark).
• Poor choice of perspective (camera is too low).
• Rooms not ready for showing! (Clutter, etc.)


Preparation is key. The homeowner needs to know when the photographer will arrive and have the house clean and clutter-free. The photographer needs to be prepared with helpful advice – especially on lighting and re-arranging with furniture if needed (in conjunction with the owner and realtor).

The following technical aspects are must-do’s:

• Matched lighting – interior lighting should match ambient exterior.
• Use a wide angle lens.
• Slow shutter speed to capture exterior lighting and highlight interior lights.
• All rooms must be well lit.
• Narrow aperture for large depth of field.
• Use a tripod to maximize sharpness.


Real-estate is a people business and more often than not, an EMOTIONAL business. People get very emotional about selling their homes. Therefore, it is absolutely essential that the photographer realize that he is part of a team, has several bosses (the home-owner and the realtor). Advice must be dispensed in a tactful manner. A positive attitude and pleasant personality must be exhibited – this is a stressful time for the home-owners!

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[Jim Bryant]

Yup..........there's too many photographers think Real Estate photography is easy money, when in fact, you have to work very hard to make good pictures. Have to an expert in lighting, and know good design in photography. Good tips!!!!!!!!

[lonni]

Yep lighting makes the difference, and a good wide angled lens.

I am not sure about the too low part, a lower or higher shooting angle keeps the photo from looking like a snap shot, as non photogrphers just shoot standing.

Props - dont forget to use props to suggest room usage. EG laptop in the spare room to show it can be a study etc and stuff like vases of flowers, fancy soaps in the bathroom, fruit bowl in the kitchen.

I do all that when shooting a bed and breakfast or holiday house, which is kind of the same as real estate except i need to push the ambieance more and illustrate usage more.

HTH

[LanceUEP]

I think what you have is a great start. You'll learn more as you get into it. I have some comments in response to some of things you have posted. It might help you obtain further work, or just get some thoughts moving in your head that you might have overlooked.

On mid to high-end houses, great photos can make a significant difference in numbers of showings and in final negotiated prices.

Although this is probably true, why is it only mid to high-end homes? A realtor that puts professional photos up of a lower-end home is competing with less people. They'll stick out better. The higher you go in price, the more professional real estate photography you see. If you convince a realtor to use pro photos on a smaller home, that house is more likely to be chosen over the one next to it. Also, this helps round out the realtor's brand. If I have a 125k house, are you telling me you (the agent) don't respect me and my finances, but you do someone with a 500k home? It's a way for the agent to say hey, your home means a lot to my business also, not just these big guys.

Photos are too small.

All of the photos posted to the MLS should be the same size, so I'm not sure what you mean by this. However, if you provide a virtual tour with your services you can market to realtors that your excellent photos aren't only viewable in the small MLS window, but also full-size, high-quality via this virtual tour.

Poor choice of perspective (camera is too low)

Agree with the previous post, usually realtors just stand there and point the camera. I think more important is the direction of the camera in response to it's height. For instance, most people stand, put camera to eye, and shoot down into the back corner of a room. It creates converging verticals. You will need to concentrate more on making your verticals vertical and not having any unusual rotation in your photos.

Use a wide angle lens.

Agreed, but be careful not to go too wide. You'll get distortion and it's very unpleasant to look at.

Slow shutter speed to capture exterior lighting and highlight interior lights.

This won't work like you are expecting unless you are using suplemental lighting (flash). Slowing down your shutter will increase the ambient both outside AND inside. By slowing it down, you'll be more likely to blow out the window views to get the inside exposure correct. And the slower you go, the more those dirty yellow tungsten lights have to do damage!

Real-estate is a people business

This is huge. Realtors like to deal with people face-to-face. The majority would prefer a meeting than discussing something via email.

Keep us updated, I am anxious to see how it goes and to see examples of what you are able to produce. Good luck!

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Remember the "golden hour" for great indoor/outdoor shots. Light candles to add ambience, have fire going(if there is one), open all doors to decks, remove cats from view, towels all straight, no clutter, props to suggest emotional attachment, ie- coffeepot and cups on a tray, wine, glasses & food platter on the deck. Lots and lots of flowers! I know all this because I have just spent the last 3 days running around getting my home ready for photos
Otumoetai

[candleman]

Nice place!

all the best with the sale.

[Tim Spencer]

Lance:

Thank you for the comments! And yes, for the interior shots/slow shutter, using flash and off-camera flash.

And all of this is to prepare to apply as a sub-contractor to a RE photogapher that is advertising for freelance help, so I am studying at this point - appreciate.

FlyingKiwiGirl - thanks. And your house is gorgeous. Not sure who did your photos but they rock!

[kingpatzer]

I'm under the impression that MLS has a fairly low limit on photo size. Is that incorrect?

[FlyingKiwiGirl]

Originally Posted by Tim Spencer

FlyingKiwiGirl - thanks. And your house is gorgeous. Not sure who did your photos but they rock!

Well it certainly wasn't me! It's something I'm inspiring to though, I did follow her around behind to try my own settings and captures out. Thanks for the compliments, candleman too(makes you want to escape south of the Bombays eh? )

[candleman]

Ha, If I had any choce in life, I'd live in Nelson.
no jobs for me there though.

Tauranga is in the top 3 on my list though.