We all know how easy it is to snap a photo directly from our phones. With all the sophisticated smartphones out there, you would think that a simple iPhone or Android pic would be enough. However, in reality, the quality of a phone pic just doesn't compare to what you get from a professional camera.
Buyers are doing their research online more now than ever and are filtering through sites to see homes for sale, and that first step is looking through photos. Your goal is to keep their attention on your listing and you can do that with beautifully photographed, high quality photos. If photos are not appealing to the eye, the potential buyer can and will lose interest and move on to the next listing.
As a Realtor myself, I hire a professional photographer to give me those wide angles, long shots, and bird's eye views I can't do myself. Even with that, I'm still enhancing them afterward using Apple's creative suite of products. Just a cursory look at home search engine listing photos shows you which real estate agents are just not that invested in selling their listings, versus those who are. You can instantly tell the professional shots from the phone pics.Â
Typically, I'd pay a photographer $200 for 12 photos. Then I find myself enhancing more than half of them just a little more. I get it, it doesn't always make sense to pay a professional with each and every listing that comes your way such as the fixer-upper, distressed, or just plain cluttered homes. In cases like these, your best photos can be of the exterior features of the home and surrounding neighborhood. Here are some photography tips that can help.
Angles Are Your Friend
Try experimenting with different angles. Get down on your knees and look through the camera lens for an interesting angle. Try shooting a photo from the staircase into the foyer or family room. Taking a photo standing at the front door looking into the foyer can also have a very nice inviting effect as the door leads the viewers eyes into the picture frame.
Using Filters
Using filters for each of your photos can fundamentally transform a rather dull image into something that is vibrant and sharp. When compared to other images your competition is using, your listing photos will stand out in search results easily and will generate much more interest. Filters can transform images in unlimited number of ways. They can create a dark and moody effect, soften a self-portrait, add mystery to an image using fog like effects, or totally brighten up a room using tonal and color variations.Get Creative With Lighting
Using lighting can really enhance a room's photo. What real estate agent is going to drag around large light stands with them? Ask the homeowner what time of day is the best when natural light pours into the main living areas. Depending on which way the house faces, it could be morning light or mid-afternoon. Plan your photo shoot for that time of day. If you have to wait a day or two for the weather to clear up, I assure you, it's worth it. Â
Photos are the "window dresing" or packaging of every listing. They must look spectacular!Â
Save Time & Money
There's one problem. No matter how you slice it, there is a big learning curve when using Photoshop, Camera Raw, and Lightroom. You’re a professional now! Putting up professional-grade photos that will catch the eye of potential buyers is critical to your success as a real estate professional. Professional cameras aren't cheap either. If you're going to invest in a professional grade camera, you should definitely take the time to learn how to actually use it. It's not as easy as point and click.
Fortunately, there is a quick and easy solution. Here at Real2Designs we offer a quick photo enhancement service. You simply send us your best images and we will enhance each one for you. We know you want to get your listing up quickly, so we do our best to get your images back to you same day whenever possible. At just under $5 per photo, it's definitely worth using.
This is a great solution for anyone who lists property for sale or rent. or who runs a home decorating business and needs to showcase their work online. We can resize photos to any MLS or image size requested. Make sure you tell us the pixel image size you require.
