Understanding the Basics of Real Estate Photography

Images of properties being put up for sale are undeniably appealing enough that you would want to buy or rent it even if you are not looking for one. But before those beautiful real estate shots were taken, a lot of planning and preparation was done by professional photographers.

While real estate photography is a niche that will always be in demand, it does not mean that getting into it is easy. In fact, it means that you will battle with other skilled photographers to get a booking from home and property sellers who have a lot of options in their hands. Being a novice also makes it even more challenging since you will still have a lot to learn to set off your career on the right foot.

That said, take some time to read through this article that can provide you the essential things that you need to know to get started in real estate photography.

What You Will Need

Camera, lens, and tripod—this is basically what you need to capture a property’s interior. You can also have additional lighting equipment to enhance the output, but you don’t necessarily need it at all times, especially if you shoot on broad daylight. You can make use of additional lighting sources to play with the colors and mood of the interior space.

When it comes to any photography niche, you will probably think that what you need is high-end equipment to get that perfect shot. While it sure can be an advantage on your end, having an expensive one is not a surefire way to get that eye-catching real estate shots.

Other than that, consider having a secondary camera in hand during shoots. Do not also forget to bring extra batteries, a lot of memory cards, and your charger during shoots to avoid hitches.

What to Do and Prepare Before the Shoot

Nothing ever fails completely during real estate photoshoots, especially if you have adequately prepared beforehand. You may be a skilled photographer, but if you lack planning and preparation, you will less likely to succeed. With that, here are the things that you need to prepare before you go to the location.

Create a Standard Shot List

Before you set your foot in the property, we highly suggest that you come in with a shot list in hand. A shot list contains the possible shots that guide a photographer as to what areas in the property that needs to be photographed.

Among the areas to be photographed in a standard home include bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and the dining area. Exterior shots include the front of the home and the backside. For commercial spaces, consider taking daytime photographs and dusk or twilight shots.

Get Access to the Details of the Property

If you have access to the details of the property, it is ideal that you have a copy of it. Doing so allows you to have a detailed shot list. You can acquire all the information from the home or property owner or from the real estate agent.

Set Property Scouting Appointment

It would be an advantage if the property owner or your client allows you to scout the property beforehand. It is also another way of easily forming your shot list.

Set Photoshoot Schedule

Once you have completed the previous steps, you can go ahead and set the schedule as to when you will take pictures of the real estate property. But if your client sets a specific date of the schedule, make sure you know this beforehand so you can carry out the steps mentioned above.

In addition, set the schedule during day time so you can get a natural light source coming from the sun.

What to Do During the Shoot

Are you now all set? Then, you are now ready to take photos of the real estate property. Here are some of the things you need to do during your shoot:

Ensure the Property Is Free of Clutter

Before you click the cameras away, be sure that the property is indeed ready for the cameras. This step is quite critical, especially if you are not dealing with new homes. While the property owners can do the cleaning themselves, you might also want to do something for creative direction purposes.

Conduct a Walkthrough First

Even if you have already conducted a property scouting, it is best if you do a walkthrough of the property first. Check whether the contents of your shot list works well with the property space and check whether you would want to add decorative elements around the place or not.

Decide the Mood

During your walkthrough, you can also decide on the mood you want and you can do so by playing with lights. For example, if you are taking photos of a home, it is ideal that you make use of warm lights so you can take interior shots that give off a warm and homey feeling.

Religiously Make Adjustments on Your Camera

In case you are using a DSLR camera, see to it that you adjust it since the interior and exterior shots have varying needs. Among the features that you need to modify or customize are the camera mode, aperture, shutter speed, flash, and ISOs. Be acquainted with your camera equipment. For you to be an expert at real estate photography, you need to go through intensive preparation and experience before you get to that status. There are still many styles and techniques you can apply when capturing real estate properties. If you want to be an expert in your field, we highly suggest that you master all of these. However, don’t be too hard on yourself. Start small by following our guide above until you significantly hone your skills!

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