An Amateur’s Guide to Taking the Best Listing Photos

They say that a picture’s worth a thousand words. Well, 97% of people use the internet at some point during their search for a house. Therefore, you need to make sure that your listing photos really show off the best aspects of your Inland Empire home. Now, some real estate agents include professional photos as part of their services. But if they do not and a professional photographer is not in your budget, you may want to keep these tips in mind when taking your own listing photos.

How to Take the Best Listing Photos

Clear Out the Clutter

Always clean and stage your property before taking any photos. Every bit of dirt, dust, and clutter shows up in photographs. Make sure to stash away any signs of pets (dishes, food, litter box, etc.). Store toys in toy boxes or containers and put them neatly away in the garage or closet. Clear off the countertops completely in the kitchen and bathrooms. Keep holiday decorations out of the picture until after you finish taking your listing photos. Scrub those windows until they are absolutely spotless.

Plan Your Pics

Taste varies from person to person. But most buyers like to focus on a few specific areas when searching for a home. So, take at least two wide photos of the front of the property. Include one or two wide-angle photos in each of the primary bedrooms, kitchen, and livingroom. Also, include a good shot of the primary bathroom. Then, make sure to include a shot of any other well-organized features you wish to include, such as a walk-in closet or a nicely-sized pantry.

Wide-Angle is the Best Angle

Inside. Outside. It does not matter. Use a wide-angle lens when taking photos of your home. This allows you to capture the entirety of your curb appeal in one shot. Plus, it helps make rooms appear larger and allows for a better focus on the space. This is especially helpful in smaller, harder-to-access spaces.

Use a Tripod

You do not have to spend a ton of money on a tripod in order to make a huge difference in the quality of your photos. Tripods reduce the chances of blurry, out-of-focus pics, especially when using the long exposure function on your camera. Plus, it helps create consistency in your photos by using the same exact height in each room. This tends to be more pleasing to the eye.

Pay Attention to the Lighting

Natural light is great. That is one of the reasons you want your windows to be super clean. But some areas need more help to make your listing photos pop. So, make sure each room includes a good light source located outside of the camera’s eye to illuminate each area properly.

When in doubt, talk to your REALTOR®. They may have tips and tricks to help you capture the perfect shot for each important area of your Inland Empire home.

Muna Dionne, your Inland Empire specialist with Coldwell Banker Realty