Real Estate photographers, what to do when home is dirty?

4 years 3 months ago #672013 by Cliff
When you get to a home that you are supposed to photograph and it’s not only staged, but the big problem is it’s VERY dirty.  What do you do?

Will you attempt to clean it up so your photos aren’t cluttered?  


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4 years 3 months ago #672016 by Nikon Shooter

Cliff wrote: What do you do? Will you attempt to clean it up so your photos aren’t cluttered?  


Certainly not! 

But the job is maybe meant to document the actual condition 
of the house at the time and this should be clear with the client.
The pictures should then reflect just that and not try to bring
any "glamour" in the shots… it could be for insurance purposes,

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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4 years 3 months ago #672034 by garyrhook
+1 on "your job is to capture the current condition of the home."

If the realtor doesn't like what you get, the realtor should talk to the client. If the client wants the best sale, the client should do some work to suitably stage and present the house.

Not your problem.

That said, I would call the realtor, perhaps text some photos, and discuss a course of action. Which implies that contracts should include compensation for wasted time in the event of a problem.


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4 years 3 months ago #672137 by robertsmith19
First of all, you should focus on the current situation of the home. If you think there are completely dirty then clean it first and then take the shots. Or if you feel there are less dirty things then you can remove them by some photo editing. I said if you see some dirty things then you can fix the photos with the help of photoshop. 


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4 years 3 months ago #672203 by Jason Stevens
Oh man I have seen some MESSY houses on the MLS.  Yeah, I'm sure people are just taking photos as they are.  


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4 years 3 months ago #672233 by effron
I wouldn't clean any part of a messy house, except my own.... physically or in photoshop. 

Why so serious?
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4 years 2 months ago #674831 by SelSol
The reality of the situation when you’re shooting for real estate agents is that you have to understand that the agent paying you is under pressure from a client.  If you want to keep the relationship then you have to pick your battles.

All homes should be staged, which usually involves tidying in some degree.  You are not a cleaner, but usually tenanted houses simply aren’t photo ready, nor will they ever be, and whilst the photos won’t be top drawer, the house does still have to go to market, so just downing tools and leaving will get you disinstructed very quickly.

That said, if you turn up to a sale and the owner hasn’t even cleared the washing and drying up, then it’s time to pack up.


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4 years 2 months ago #674926 by Tim Kelley
My job is to photograph the house, not be a maid.  


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4 years 2 months ago #674927 by Instamixes
I will clean the place where I have to shoot


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4 years 2 months ago #675059 by Kenya See
Reading this thread reminds me of that History Channel show or might be discovery on horters.  So disgusting seeing how some people live with garbage pilled up all over.  :sick:


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