10 Real Estate Photography Tips to Make Your Listings Shine

High-quality real estate photography can be the difference between a listing that lingers on the market and one that sells quickly. With 97% of homebuyers starting their search online, first impressions matter more than ever. To help you capture attention and convert viewers into buyers, here are 10 expert tips to make your listing photos shine.

1. Use a Professional Camera and Lens

Smartphone cameras have improved, but they still can’t match the quality of a professional DSLR or mirrorless camera with a wide-angle lens. A 16-24mm lens allows you to capture more of the room without distortion, making spaces look open and inviting. Don’t go too wide though, it will distort the images too much and make the rooms look unrealistically large.

2. Prioritize Natural Light

Lighting is everything in real estate photography. Whenever possible, schedule your shoot during the day when natural light is abundant. Open curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible, and turn off artificial lights to avoid mixed lighting that can cause color inconsistencies. We’ll bring our off-camera flash(es) to your appointment to fill in with supplementary light as needed.

3. Stage the Space for Maximum Appeal

A well-staged home photographs better and helps buyers visualize themselves in the space. Declutter, depersonalize, and arrange furniture to highlight flow and function. Adding small touches like fresh flowers or neatly placed books can enhance warmth and charm. If you don’t have the budget or desire to stage your listing, consider virtual staging which we offer for $40 per photo.

4. Shoot from the Right Height and Angles

For interior shots, aim for a camera height of around 4 to 5 feet to capture a natural perspective. Avoid extreme angles that distort proportions—shooting straight-on usually works best. When photographing exteriors, try different angles to highlight the home’s curb appeal. Make sure to photograph above counters and chairs, but not so tall that it makes everything look small with your wide angle lens.

5. Keep Lines Straight

Verticles, verticles, verticles! This is a pet peeve of ours. Crooked lines and distorted perspectives make photos look unprofessional. Use a tripod and a camera with a built-in level to keep vertical and horizontal lines straight. In post-processing, use perspective correction tools to fine-tune alignment. Keep the vertical lines exactly that. Vertical!

6. Highlight Key Selling Points

Every home has standout features, whether it’s a fireplace, a gourmet kitchen, or a breathtaking view. Make sure to capture these selling points prominently. Wide shots give context, while close-up detail shots add a storytelling element to the listing. Once you have the highlights captured, make sure you’r also considering showing the flow of the home from the space you’re photographing relative the other neighboring spaces so buyers can get an idea of where everything is.

7. Take Twilight Photos for Extra Impact

Twilight photography can make a home look stunning and set it apart from competing listings. If the property has great exterior lighting, capturing it at dusk with a well-lit interior can create a warm and inviting feel. In the PNW this can be tough to accomplish 9 months out of the year though, so plan accordingly with the weather forecast!

8. Avoid Over-Editing

While post-processing is essential for correcting exposure, colors, and sharpness, avoid excessive editing that misrepresents the home. Over-saturated colors or unrealistic sky replacements can look misleading and turn off potential buyers. Keep edits natural and true to life. Do your best to make sure the paint colors are accurate and consistent across the entire gallery.

9. Use a Tripod for Sharp Images

A tripod ensures stability and helps achieve sharper images, especially in low-light conditions. When in low-light conditions, you’ll have to slow down your shutter speed which will make your photos blurry if shot handheld, or you’ll have to increase your ISO which will create more noise in your photo. Tripods allow for consistency in height and framing across all photos. A remote shutter release or camera timer can further reduce any blur from movement.

10. Capture a Complete Set of Images

Make sure to provide a variety of photos that showcase every aspect of the home. A standard real estate photography package should include:

• Exterior shots (front and backyard)

• Living room, kitchen, and dining area

• Bedrooms and bathrooms

• Bonus spaces (office, basement, garage, etc.)

• Outdoor features (patio, pool, landscaping)

• Unless requested by the client or there are some unique features, exclude garages and standard closets

Why Real Estate Agents Should Hire a Professional Photographer

1. Homes with Professional Photos Sell Faster

According to a Redfin study, homes with professional photography sell 32% faster than those with amateur photos (Redfin, 2020). High-quality images create a strong first impression and attract more potential buyers, reducing time on the market.

2. Professional Photography Increases Listing Views

A study by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) found that 87% of homebuyers rely on listing photos as a key factor in their home search. Listings with professional images receive 118% more online views than those without (NAR, 2023). More views lead to higher interest and better offers.

3. Higher Selling Price with Quality Photography

Zillow reports that homes with high-quality photos can sell for $3,000-$11,000 more compared to homes with low-quality or no professional images. Investing in great photography not only helps attract buyers but also contributes to maximizing the final sale price.

Final Thoughts

Great listing photos can generate more interest, higher offers, and faster sales. By following these 10 real estate photography tips, you’ll ensure your listings make the best first impression possible. If you’re ready to take your listings to the next level with professional photography, contact us today for a consultation!

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.