7 TIPS FOR GREAT REAL ESTATE PHOTOGRAPHY
If a picture paints a thousand words, what do you want your photos to say about your property?
Bad real estate photography is everywhere, in fact there are blogs and Facebook pages that are dedicated to the subject. Although these are funny, we don’t want potential tenants laughing at our property.
So, what do we need to ‘focus on’ to get it right?
1. Less is more
Just because there are rooms in the house doesn’t mean you need to take a photo of all of them. Some are just too difficult to capture. A photo of a corner only says the room is too small. If the result is less than flattering, leave it out.
2. Keep it real
Nothing upsets potential tenants more than unrealistic photos. If you intend to use a view shot, make sure it is easily seen from the property. If you need binoculars or need to lean out of the bathroom window to see the same view, you will lose credibility as a landlord. And the same goes for using props to hide faults, either fix the problem or don’t take a photo of it.
3. Quality equipment
Many of the poor photos on the internet come from cheap cameras or even iphones. To take good quality photos you need good quality equipment. The bare minimum would be a good digital camera, wide angle lens for interiors, a decent add-on flash unit and a stable tripod.
4. Stay straight
When using a wide angle lens, it easy to end up with distorted images. Make sure you are holding the camera straight and that it is level. Tripods which include a spirit level are very handy.
5. Attention to detail
Look around and take an inventory of what the camera will see and record. Check what may need to be removed from the scene. In kitchens particularly, you may need to declutter by removing tea towels, dish washing detergents, cleaning brushes etc. Also check that blinds are all level and open for the best light. Bathrooms should be entirely clear.
6. Timing
Natural light is very sought after in a property. Choose a time of day that works for the property. This is particularly important for the exterior photos as you want the sun behind the camera and shining on the property. Photos taken just before dusk can be difficult to time but can also be very rewarding for the right property.
7. Photoshop
Only process the images to crop and tidy, and remember point two above, keep it real. There are big penalties for misleading consumers, be aware of the restrictions such as removing objects from pictures such as power lines and unsightly electricity boxes. For more information on rules and regulations see The Department of Fair Tradings Advertising Guidelines.
Real estate marketing focuses on images. Potential tenants want to see the main features of the property and want to be impressed. Quality photography together with a well written description can create a vision of a lifestyle that will appeal to the right tenant.
About Us
George Astudillo is the founder of Property Quarters, an agency that values communication and great relationships with its landlords.
George now has more than 30 years in real estate, including 15 years as the owner of a national real estate franchise. He’s also an accredited auctioneer and is the author of “The Landlord Mindset”, a book with his best tips to help landlords look after their investments. His book has been quoted in the SMH, The Huffington Post and The Age.
As the founder of Property Quarters, George takes great care in looking after his landlord’s investments. Having seen it all and worked with may landlords and tenants, he’s a strong mediator and negotiator and knows how to navigate through property legislation.
George is trusted by his landlords to advise on the financial management of their investments. He’s put in place proven processes to ensure each property he looks after is managed effectively to retain its value, quality tenants and rental income.
If you’re looking for a property manager who thinks like a landlord and whose business is built on tested processes, contact us by clicking HERE.
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