8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
by Maxwell Alexander (Duncan Avenue Real Estate Photography Studio)

Real estate listings with pictures are more likely to get noticed, leading to a faster sale. Getting the best pictures involves hiring a professional real estate photographer, but not every seller has a budget to accommodate that. Some agents have a photographer on retainer who will take the pictures for you, but most of the time you are on your own.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Remember that the most important thing is to have pictures available. People want to see the general appearance of a house before they commit the time to view it. You can take perfectly acceptable pictures for your listing without hiring a professional. Here are some tips to keep in mind.

Use the best equipment.

If you have access to some good photography equipment, it makes sense to use it. Start with a good camera if possible. Most phones won’t take as high-quality pictures as a regular digital camera will. You should also consider using a tripod to keep the camera steady and help frame the shot.

If you have a wide-angle lens and know how to use it, that can also help.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Make a list.

Before you begin a photo session, make a list of all the shots you want to be sure and get. You should have at least one picture of each room, including bathrooms. You will also want to show off anything special about the house, like new appliances or a beautiful staircase.

Declutter.

This can be tricky when you are living in the house you want to sell, but try to move as much of your personal stuff out of the shot as possible. You want potential buyers to be focused on the house rather than on your belongings. A minimalist approach is best.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Shoot from the corner.

Try backing into one corner of each room to get the other three corners in the shot. This will make the room appear larger and will allow you to show as much of it as possible.

Taking shots from several angles is also useful.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Open interior doors.

Doors in your interior pictures should be open. This highlights the flow of the home and makes the space seem bigger. It also allows for more natural light to come in from other rooms.

Do remember to pay attention to what can be seen behind those doors.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Shoot exterior pictures on a cloudy day or at dusk.

Clouds are better than bright sunlight for outdoor photography. That’s because shadows are decreased and sunlight doesn’t overwhelm the photo, giving a harsh edge to your subject. If you have the option, choose a cloudy day just before dusk and don’t forget to turn on all of the indoor and outdoor lights to make your house shine!

Take the cars out of the driveway.

Moving cars is the outdoor equivalent of decluttering. Cars in the driveway take the focus away from the property and may make it harder for potential buyers to see themselves as homeowners. Getting any broken-down vehicles out of the way before you list your home is also a must.

8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos
8 Great DIY Tips for Shooting Your Own Real Estate Photos

Go high on the exterior.

When you are photographing the exterior of your house, get a high perspective when possible. If your home is at the bottom of a hill, shoot it from the top. If the property is flat, try standing on a ladder. A higher perspective gives you a wider range, allowing you to show more of the property. It can also make the house look larger.

Real estate photography is all about giving potential buyers a realistic view of what you have to offer while highlighting the best parts of your property. Look at some photos of listings similar to yours to see what you like and don’t like. Then keep these 8 tips in mind and you will have pictures to help you sell your home quickly and for a great price.

If you still think that you need professional help, reach out to Duncan Avenue Real Estate Photography Studio and let the pros to take care of it for you. Their award-winning real estate photography services helped many home sellers in the Hudson Valley region and include not only interior and exterior photography, but also aerial and drone photography, so why not give it a try and work with the best real estate photographers out there?