Property photography made easy

If you want your house to sell, you need your photos to do the hard work for you, which is why agents often employ professionals or – at the very least – professional tips and tricks to lure people in. Here are out tips for getting a professional quality shot.

Lighting is everything

Make sure any photographs you take are well lit. You want people to see every aspect of your home, not some vague shapes in the darkness. On that note, because you want people to see everything, make sure anything you don’t want to show off is tidied away: clear away unnecessary clutter, rubbish, clothing, toys, pet mess. Even tidying up loose cables and cords will help to create a good visual impression – remember that these photos will be the first impression most people get of your property.

Cover all your bases

Photograph every aspect of your home, inside and out. Remember that good photos of kitchens and bathrooms are essential, as they are the most commonly renovated spaces and potential buyers will want to know if those rooms need updating at extra cost. Obviously you will want to highlight what you feel are the best features – a large, private yard, for example, or a spacious living area – but don’t overlook the rest of your property in an attempt to make one aspect seem more appealing. Remember not everyone sees things the same way: where you see a green oasis, others might envision a headache of constant maintenance.

Be honest!

A bit of enhancement is one thing, but photographing your dingy one-bedroom studio from multiple angles in order to make it look like a palatial mansion is another.

Call in the professionals

If you don’t know your aperture from your fisheye, then you might need professional help.

If you’re selling your property through an agent, they may well have their own photographer, although that isn’t always a guarantee of quality, so be sure to ask to see some of the photographer’s previous work first. Otherwise there are numerous private photographers who specialise in property photography. Remember: photos are the ultimate first impression.