Real Estate and Photography

When selling your home, good real estate photography is important. Nowadays, most homes are listed on real estate websites. Potential buyers can now find what is essentially their first home viewing through the internet. 

Sellers need to have high-quality photos of their real estate listings in order to make a good first impression and get solid offers.

We spoke to professional real estate photographers Tommy Barley and Larry Smith to learn more about how photography can help you sell your home.

Are professional photographers required?

The realtor is the one who will decide whether to invest in professional photography for real estate photos. Agents will sometimes decide not to hire a professional photographer for their real estate listings. Smith said that many agents don’t like photography and even if they did, they don’t believe it’s worth the cost.

Barley says that the local real estate market can also play a significant role in deciding whether or not he is able to sell. He says that it is more likely that smaller markets will allow realtors to do their own photography, while larger markets will require professional photographers.

Both experts agreed that pricing is a major factor in real estate photography. They understand why professional photographers might be a stretch for some realtors if they cut into already tight margins.

What about the seller’s view? Smith states that most sellers care more about professional photography when it comes to listing their home for sale. They want their homes ready for showings and their homes listed at the right price. Smith said that sellers often trust their agents to manage the marketing.

Sellers care about the photos of their property. Barley said that sellers can feel disappointed when the photos aren’t great and have seen many sellers change realtors due to bad listing photos.

Good real estate photography is a great asset for homeowners who are trying to sell their home. Smith provided photos to a realtor who appreciated the importance of high-quality photographs in this instance. The house was on the market for eighteen months. It sold just eight days after the new photos were taken.

Is professional real estate photography necessary to sell a home? It’s not always necessary for seller’s markets or situations where agents can take good photos. Having good photos of the propery can help homeowners sell their home faster and for more money, just like home staging.

Why professional real estate photos are better

It comes down to this: Real estate photography is about making an impression and capturing potential homebuyers’ attention. Professional photographers are able to outperform amateurs and DIYers in this area. Smith explained that professional photographers are more appealing to the eye than amateurs when they appear online. They are brighter and draw you in.

What is it that makes professional real estate photography so different? Barley and Smith believe professional photographers are able to use proper equipment and techniques to create stunning images that stand out from the crowd of online listings.

online listings

Pay attention to details

Professional real estate photography also teaches you the importance of paying attention to details. Experts can show this by scheduling shoots around the weather. Smith is a Florida resident and knows that potential buyers desire to see the sun. Smith uses an app that determines the angle of sunlight throughout the day, and schedules shots when the sun is shining at the front of the house.

Barley is a former meteorologist and says that his clients trust him to capture photos in ideal conditions. Barley offers luxury services like drone photography for real estate. The shoot must be rescheduled in cases of high wind, snow, or rain.

Professional attention to detail means that there are no silly mistakes that could ruin the impression of a house. Amateur photographers make the common mistake of taking photos in mirrors. Not all mistakes are so funny or obvious.

These mistakes can make a huge difference in the way that the home is displayed. By closing the doors, buyers are unable to see the flow of the space. If the blinds aren’t opened or the lights are off, buyers don’t have the ability to see the amount of light.

Focus on space & composition

Barley stated that composition is the most important thing professional workers do. This is crucial. It is important to show the buyer a clear idea of the layout and how rooms are connected. The buyer will not be able to see the layout of the house if the photos show only a bed, toilet, and kitchen countertops.

Smith concurs: “Agents focus on features. That’s why you see close-ups with countertops and cabinets. Professional photographers show the space. While you can still see the features, the buyer should know that the living area is located off the kitchen and that there is a hallway leading to the foyer.”

Use the right equipment & techniques

A real estate agent will often take photos of a property using their phone. Even if they have the best equipment, such as a wide-angle lens and flash equipment, it is likely that they don’t have the knowledge to capture photos like a professional.

Professionals also know how to use equipment in a way that doesn’t make the home look better than it is. Smith stated, “My goal is for the home to look exactly as it would in person.” People will be disappointed if a space appears larger than it actually is.

professional photography

Professional Real Estate Photography Tips for Sellers

Barley and Smith offer some helpful tips for homeowners who are looking to sell a home.

Interview multiple Realtors

There are steps to selling a home, and the first should be interviewing agents and not going with the first choice.

Barley said that he is amazed at the rareness of sellers interviewing multiple agents. It’s rare. “Usually, people go with the first person they meet or hire a friend.”

Trying to get your house sold quickly and for the highest price is not a good idea. Barley said that if you speak with several agents, the best ones will quickly distinguish themselves from the rest.

Get rid of clutter in your home

The first response from both experts, when asked about mistakes they see in photos, is too much clutter. They can’t make clutter disappear, no matter how talented the photographer is. This is the seller’s responsibility and that of the agent. Barley stated, “You must get your home down to the minimal essentials.”

Homes do not sell themselves. It is crucial to have great marketing and photography. It is important to ensure that your agent understands real estate photography and is committed to professional photography.

Look at the Listings of the Agent

One of the easiest things you can do if you are considering hiring a realtor is to look through their listings. Both Smith and Barley both recommend this. It will be easy to determine if the agent is interested in investing in professional photography or doing it themselves.

Smith advised that you go to the agents’ listings and interview them about their plans for marketing the property. If they don’t include photography, you should consider hiring someone else.

You are entrusting them with the sale of a property that is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. They are the ambassadors for your house and must represent it in a professional manner.