^{photo byCentralITAlliance via iStock}

Real estate photography is hard enough, which is why it pains me when I see photographers using the wrong real estate photography gear. 

Real estate photography cameras need weather-sealed bodies, for shooting in the cold winter months, great low-light capabilities for those closet and basement shots, and the ability to shoot quality video because almost every single client is asking for video nowadays. 

Real estate photography cameras also need to fit in your price range, because there’s no point in spending loads on your real estate photography gear if your business isn’t bringing that much in yet. 

So, I’ve compiled a list of the best cameras for real estate photography in a wide range of prices to fit every budget.  

Canon EOS Rebel T6

 

First up on our real estate photography cameras list is the all-around Canon EOS Rebel T6. If you read my review on the Canon EOS Rebel T6 a few months ago, then you know this is one of my go-to cameras for people starting their own photography business.

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 is an entry-level DSLR (the only one on this list) and deserves its spot as one of the top cameras for real estate photography due to its lower price tag, its full HD 1080p video capabilities, it's good autofocus system, and the fact that it shoots good real estate photos as soon as you pull it out of the box.

 

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Specs:

• 18MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 4+ image processor
• Full HD 1080p video capabilities
• 9 point AF system
• Built-in Wi-Fi
• 3” LCD screen with 920,000 dots
• Great battery life
• ISO range of 100-6400

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Pros:

• Good battery life
• Incredible array of compatible lenses
• Compact 

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Cons:

• ISO performance isn’t all that great
• Poor live view mode that drains battery
• Overexposes images in low light shooting 

Learn More:

• How to Photograph Real Estate in the Winter
• Critical Real Estate Photography Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

Nikon Z6

Another important factor of real estate photography cameras is that they should be able to shoot high-quality video, which this Nikon Z6 more than handles. It offers 4K video and also comes with 6K time-lapse, although you’re less likely to use this in your real estate photography business. 

The Nikon Z6 is hands down the best mirrorless camera for a DSLR owner, and what I mean by this is the Nikon Z6 is compatible with hundreds of F-mount Nikkor lenses if you have the FTZ adapter, so there’s no reason to sell all of your Nikon gear to make the transition to mirrorless. 

The Nikon Z6 is also one of the best cameras for real estate photography because it comes with an electronic viewfinder, a 3” touchscreen, and easy to understand controls. 

Nikon Z6 Specs:

• 24MP full-frame sensor
• 4K video capabilities
• 12fps burst mode
• 6K timelapse
• 273 point AF system
• ISO range of 100-51,200
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 

Nikon Z6 Pros:

• Incredible low-light shooting
• 4K video 
• In-body image stabilization 

Nikon Z6 Cons:

• Poor battery life
• Single memory card slot
• Tilting screen, rather than fully articulating 

Nikon D750 

^{My Nikon D750 by George Rex licensed under CC by 2.0}  

The Nikon D750 represents everything I love about real estate photography cameras. The Nikon D750 matches its price, which is to say it functions excellently. It has a 24MP full-frame sensor, can shoot 6.5fps, and comes with a tilting vari-angle 3.2” LCD screen. 

Plus, the Nikon D750’s video capabilities are good; it shoots full HD video and maintains its 1,230-shot battery life while doing so.  

Best of all, now that the Nikon D780 - the D750’s replacement - has been announced, you can expect a significant price drop on the now four-year-old D750.

It was already one of the most affordable full frame cameras on the market, but it should become even more affordable in the coming weeks!

Nikon D750 Specs:

• 24.3MP full-frame sensor
• 1,230-shot battery life
• ISO range of 100-12,800
• 51-point AF system
• 3.2” tilting LCD screen with 1.2m dots
• Built-in Wi-Fi

Nikon D750 Pros:

• High ISO performance for low-light shooting
• 51-point AF system that is fast
• Tilting LCD screen  

Nikon D750 Cons:

• Remote shooting needs improvement
• Expensive add-ons
• No 4K video capabilities 

Learn More:

• Basic Real Estate Photography Tips for Absolute Beginners
• Building a Real Estate Photography Business

Regardless of the Camera You Use…

^{photo by vicnt via iStock} 

Whether you use a mirrorless camera, a DSLR, a crop sensor or full frame, one thing remains true - you should be bracketing your exposures and merging them in post-processing.

Even the Nikon Z6, which has the most robust capabilities of the cameras listed above, can’t accommodate every lighting situation.

This is especially true when the dynamic range in the room is high. If you take a single exposure, the camera will try to expose for the highlights (i.e., a bright window), thus making it well-exposed and leaving the rest of the room dark. 

The converse can also happen - the camera might expose for the darker areas of the room, which leaves the view out of the windows overexposed.

As seen in the video above, bracketing and merging the exposures is a quick way to overcome this issue.

This tutorial is an excellent guideline for learning how to bracket exposures. As you’ll see, it’s a simple matter of adjusting a few camera settings!

Once you have the bracketed exposures, you can easily blend them together in post-processing to create a single image that’s well-exposed throughout.

In a business in which your images can make or break a sale, it’s important to put forth your absolute best work. Using this bracket and merge technique will certainly help you do that.

 

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^{Photo by Binyamin Mellish from Pexels}

The goal of real estate photography is to help sell a house as quickly as possible, and in the coming months amidst coronavirus fears, this is going to become more and more difficult.

So, real estate photographers are going to be in high demand. If you haven’t gotten into the niche yet, it may just be time for you to do so. Diversify! 

Here are some of my best real estate photography tips for new real estate photographers. 

Take Photos in the Spring

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Unless a house is undergoing major changes, like a roof replacement, it is always best to take exterior real estate photos in the spring. 

Blooming flowers are much more appealing than bare lawns or huge piles of black snow on the street. 

 ^{photo byBeyondImages via iStock}

Exterior real estate photography also showcases exactly how long a home has been on the market, so if your home is still on the market in winter, it may be helpful to take new photos.

This way it doesn’t look like the house has been on the market for months without any takers.

 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Reading:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

Choose the Correct Time to Take Exterior Photos

^{Photo by vu anh on Unsplash} 

Ideally, exterior photos should be taken in the early morning or late evening hours. This allows you to capitalize on soft, golden hour lighting that diminishes the harshness of shadows that you encounter when photographing homes in the middle of a bright, sunny day. 

Of course, your schedule can’t always accommodate photographing a property as the sun rises or sets (nor will the schedule of the homeowner…) so you have to have other tricks up your sleeve in order to get the best possible images.

 

A great tip when you’re shooting in challenging lighting conditions is to bracket your exposures. Learn how to do so in the video above. 

For example, when you’re photographing the exterior of a property in the early afternoon, you’ll encounter bright highlights and deep shadows that can look unbecoming. 

But if you bracket your exposures - which entails taking three or more images, each at a different exposure level - you can overcome the wide dynamic range in the scene. 

The result of bracketing is that you have one image that’s exposed for the shadows, another that’s exposed for the midtones, and another that’s exposed for the highlights.

Then, you merge these images together to create a composite shot that’s well-exposed throughout.

Not only is this trick easy to use, but it also results in much-improved photos. It’s a win-win!

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Learn More:

• How to Set Your Real Estate Photography Pricing
• Commercial Real Estate Photography 101

Stage the House

^{photo by Daisy-Daisy via iStock} 

While it shouldn’t necessarily be your job as the photographer, houses need to be staged before you take photos of them. And one of my pro real estate photography tips is that whatever you don’t include in your contract, doesn’t get done.  

So, make sure your client knows they need to do any gardening, landscaping or trash removal before you do their exterior real estate photography. 

Additionally, they need to clean the inside of the house, which includes deep cleaning things like carpets and windows, but also includes getting rid of small things that make the house look lived in. 

^{photo by tomazl via iStock} 

Remove the dish soap from the counter. Get rid of any dog beds or laundry baskets. If the house is still undergoing renovations, make sure these supplies aren’t lying around during your photoshoot.  

Use Your Composition 101 Tips

Houses are just like people, they have good and bad angles. A ton of real estate photography tips lists forget to include information on showcasing the most unique aspects of a house.  

So don’t throw out everything you learned in your composition 101 class when you start real estate photography. 

Make sure there aren’t any obstructions in your exterior real estate photography. Try getting low and getting high to capture the beauty of the property. Cropping can occur after your photoshoot, but getting more information into your shot can’t, so widen your view. 

Plus, if you still need tips for curb appeal, you should start taking a real estate photography class, like Real Estate Photography Pro.

Unlike an in-person class, Real Estate Photography Pro allows you immediate access to downloadable content like video tutorials, presets, and templates. But, just like an in-person class, you can still ask questions on their weekly live Q&A sessions. 

Never find yourself wanting for real estate photography tips again. Get the help you need sooner rather than later, that way your images - and your business - will be the better for it!

Learn More:

• Introductory Real Estate Photography Tips
• How to Take Gorgeous Interior Real Estate Photos

 

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 ^{photo byPurdue9394 via iStock}

The real estate industry is currently on fire. Demand is absolutely through the roof, mortgage rates have never been lower, and in some places, houses are being snatched up within hours of hitting the market. 

For these reasons and more, people are starting to doubt the benefits of good real estate photography.  

I understand where these people are coming from, too. If their houses are going to be purchased so quickly after hitting the market regardless, then why should they have to pay for good real estate photography? 

But, here’s the thing. Good real estate photography has a lot of benefits and I’m going to talk about a few of them here. 

Good Real Estate Photography Doesn’t Mean Hundreds of Photos

 ^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

When you DIY your real estate photography, you are either going to make one of two mistakes. You will take far too few pictures or you will take far too many pictures. 

When you take far too few pictures, you will turn off potential buyers because buyers want to understand what each section of the house looks like before coming to view it. When you take far too many pictures, you might be wasting your time and your potential buyers’ time. 

Of course, each property is different, so the number of photos that hits the sweet spot will depend on individual properties.

 ^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

But, someone who understands good real estate photography will likely give you around 10-15 interior photos and 5-10 exterior photos for a typical home. With this number of photos, a potential buyer can learn all the information they will ever need about a home.  

Here’s a tip no matter how many photos you take: use HDR techniques to get the best-quality interior photos.

The trouble with photographing interior spaces is that any windows in the room are flooded with natural light while the rest of the room is far darker. Even high-end professional cameras can’t accommodate that wide range of light to dark in a single shot.

The solution is to bracket exposures - take three or more images that are exactly the same compositionally but are exposed at different levels for the light, midtone, and dark areas of the room. See what I mean in the video above.

Then all you have to do is merge the images together into a single composite photo that is well-exposed throughout. This technique is easy, quick, and far cheaper than relying on artificial lights to brighten up interior spaces.

Photography for Realtors: Staging a Home is Half the Battle

 ^{photo byJodi Jacobson via iStock}

Professional real estate photography ensures that clients can see themselves living in a home and a big part of this is ensuring that the home is staged properly. 

Having no furniture in a home, or worse having bad furniture in a home, means that your potential buyers will not automatically connect with a house the way they otherwise would have.

When a potential buyer is emotionally invested in purchasing a house, they will be far more likely to offer a price that is above asking. Good real estate photography, along with proper staging, may, in the end, make you far more money when your home sells. 

Learn More:

• When to Take Outdoor Photos of Real Estate
• 5 Real Estate Photography Trends for 2021

Good Real Estate Photography Makes a Home Seem Bigger

 ^{photo byAnatoli Igolkin via iStock}

One of the best benefits of real estate photography is that it features all of the perfect angles of a house. It also showcases a house in the most beautiful light.  

When a professional pairs great lighting with great angles, each room in the home offers its best possible first impression to buyers.

Additionally, properly composed images help showcase the space in each room. This means that if a potential buyer has told their Realtor that they won’t look at any homes under 1,250 square feet, but your home falls just short of this, the Realtor may choose to show it to their clients anyway because the photos make it look big enough to be worth it.

Of course, staging has something to do with this as well - a room that is cluttered with too much furniture will look and feel smaller than it actually is. By removing some pieces and staging the same room, potential buyers will be more impressed with its space.

Post-Production Makes a Home More Desirable

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Post-production makes the images of a home far more desirable than if you were to simply put every photo you took of a home up online. 

Think about it - buyers don’t want to have to sift through subpar images looking for what they’re really after. They want to be fascinated by each photo they see. 

Culling your images and editing only the best ones will help you highlight the features and amenities of the home more effectively. Whether you use Lightroom, Photoshop, or another program to process your images, take the necessary time to evaluate your images and do the needed touch-ups, that way the properties you photograph are presented in the best possible light.

Learn More:

• Homeowner Tips for Spring Real Estate Photography
• DIY Real Estate Photography Tips for Realtors

 

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Commercial real estate photography is a demanding niche but a very rewarding one as well. It can be demanding in the sheer volume of images needed, the types of extras requested, and the time involved. 

Commercial real estate photography can be rewarding in that you have increased revenue, develop a good reputation in the industry, and in the enjoyment of producing outstanding images. Here are a few commercial real estate photography tips that we have learned through trial and error and frm following the good advice of other photographers.

It’s Not Fine Art

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I’m a landscape photographer. That’s my main love in this art and I like to make fine art images of landscapes, cityscapes, interesting architecture, and other other styles of photography. Real estate images, including commercial real estate photography, are not fine art subjects.

What do I mean by that? Real estate images are meant to show a realistic picture of a scene, not an artful interpretation. This doesn’t mean we can skimp on quality. In fact, our quality needs to be close to perfect.

Instead of transforming the images by means of exposure and composition methods, we create the most truthful rendition of the scene as a photograph. It’s like commercial product photography. While not changing the reality of the image, we simply make it the best version of reality.

But It’s Still Artful

^{photo byA_Lein via iStock}

We can never get fully past the idea that this craft is an artform. This holds true in commercial real estate photography, too. We take a scene and use our crafting ability of this art, we create an image that shows an accurate and appealing view of reality. 

Using composition tips for real estate photography will let us show a property at its best. A composition such as showing three walls in a room and leveling out the camera with the ultra wide angle lenses we use will show an entire view of a room in as little as two images without straight lines being distorted.

Lighting tips for real estate photography will let us show a huge dynamic range in our images. The art of adapting exposure to encompass the darkest areas and the brightest areas in one image will enable commercial real estate images to be a beautiful work of art as well as being a true representation of the reality within a scene. 

Learn More:

• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography
• Real Estate Photography Services You Should Offer

Bracket and Merge HDR for Exposures

^{photo byonurdongel via iStock}

An important method of making the commercial real estate images both artful and realistic is the bracket and merge HDR technique already used by many real estate photographers for residential MLS listing and virtual tours. 

In addition to being able to accurately portray a scene by capturing detail in the deep shadows as well as the bright highlights in an interior room, the bracket and merge HDR method can also be used to create excellent hero or beauty shots such as a twilight image.

Bracket and merge HDR photography is a technique where multiple image files are captured at different exposure levels. Some are optimized for shadow detail, some for highlight detail, and several in between. Then these different exposure levels are blended together into one image file that shows everything clearly.

Here is a YouTube video that explains the process from both sides, the picture taking side and the image file processing side.

HDR photography is a method that has some serious artistic implications, too. Which can really help us out with those hero shots that end up being the front page of a printed flyer or the opening image of a business website. 

Commercial real estate firms are always looking for an edge up on the competition, by supplying them with amazingly detailed photos of the commercial property in general and with gorgeous images for special use, you will give yourself an edge up for being used by these firms over and over again.

Pay Attention to Details

^{photo byNatee Meepian via iStock}

Since commercial real estate photography can involve many more images than the standard residential listing, having a reliable system of keeping track of all of the different rooms, spaces, and specialty areas is vital for successfully completing the job.

Other details to be concerned about are the number of rooms, the order they’re shot in, which ones are vital to the property management and which ones might be part of a delivery package. 

You’ll also want to pay attention to how you can access certain specialty areas, such as high security areas (only if that’s part of the contract) or mechanical systems.

A shot list combined with a sign off sheet is old school, but it really does work. Taking blank or black frames between areas and making notation of each area show and in what order with a dry erase board to label rooms and areas as the front image of each grouping. 

Present Yourself as a Professional

^{photo byProstock-Studio via iStock}

As a bonus number 5 in our commercial real estate photography tips list, it’s important to treat your photography business as a business. This is sometimes wearisome to some photographers who are primarily concerned with the art and craft of imaging over the concerns of properly running a business.

While the photographic images are the heart of the business of commercial real estate photography, losing track of standard business practices could mean you lose out on getting to make these images in the first place.

The standard business concerns include but aren’t limited to having enough of the right type of liability insurance, being up to date on all licenses required by the local municipalities, and gathering together the proper releases for being on the properties and being able to use the images commercially. 

Being dressed appropriate to the business involved is also important. For some clients this may mean business casual attire, for others something more formal may be expected. Proper safety equipment and procedures are another essential element of this tip. If steel toe shoes or hard hats are required, you should be prepared for that, too.

Following these commercial real estate photography tips won’t guarantee success, but they’ll certainly put your business on the right track.

Learn More:

• What To Charge for Commercial Real Estate Photography Services
• Real Estate photography Tip: How To Photograph Office Spaces

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Editing real estate photos is one of the key elements that will set you and your images apart from the competition.  

There is a lot going on before, during, and after any real estate photoshoot. Some of the decisions you make before and during the photoshoot will have a major impact on your post-processing workflow and how to edit real estate photos. 

Here are some real estate photography tips and real estate photography post-processing tips that help ease your workflow and will also result in better images to deliver to your clients.

Capture RAW Files

^{photo byjacoblund via iStock}

To begin our real estate photography editing tips, we have to start with our earlier decisions such as what file type to capture and what method of post-processing we’re going to use. 

Unless you have to hand off your memory card straight out of the camera right to the hands of the person who hired you, RAW is a preferred file format to use for professional photography. JPEGs are readable by almost any device in existence that uses photos, but they are a compressed file format that loses information as it’s written.

RAW camera files require at least some minimum of processing and are often converted to a JPEG for delivery, but you get to choose how much information is used and how it’s used. Plus, you can make large JPEG files from your RAW captures by choosing to minimally compress or smaller files with more compression. 

The color profile or white balance of a RAW file can be assigned after the fact, with a JPEG you will need to decide on a setting (or let the camera choose) that shows the colors of the scene correctly for whatever the lighting conditions are.

Besides all the issues about information compression, RAW files also allow for more leeway in processing for shadow, midrange, and highlights within the image. Plus, if you’re shooting for the bracket and merge HDR technique, the merging part of the operation works better with RAW files.

Bracket and Merge

^{photo byAndreyPopov via iStock}

Bracket and merge HDR is one of the preferred methods for capturing and editing real estate photos. This technique takes full advantage of the digital format by using several image files blended into one. 

You find the basic exposure for the scene. An average value that captures the midrange values. Then, you make several other exposures at different settings. Have some exposures optimized for capturing shadow detail and some more for the highlights.

In post-processing for editing real estate photos, adjust the settings of the merging or blending program in order to be able to see detail in the deep shadows, the brightest highlights, and everything in between. Usually, 5 exposures bracketed 2 stops apart will work just fine, but some situations may look better with 7 or 9 exposures 1 stop apart.

At first, it may seem as though we’re adding to our workflow by shooting all the extra images and then merging them together in post-processing, but it actually saves time. It saves us time by not requiring us to set up lights and reflectors, spot metering and deciding what detail to let slide, shadow, highlights, or a little of each, and not dodging and burning each image in post.

A lot of the operation of a bracket and merge program can be done in batches, which also eases the workflow. If your computer speed and memory are good enough, you may not see too much time difference in processing the images and batches.

Here is an excellent YouTube video tutorial that helps explain this method of taking and editing real estate photos.

Learn More:

• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography
• Real Estate Photography Gear List

Calibrate Your Monitor

^{photo byNongAsimo via iStock}

Using an external monitor (or two) for our editing studio is a nice way to really see what we’re doing with our image file, regardless of what type of photography we’re doing. The larger size makes it easier to see and the sharpness and color fidelity of newer monitors are additional reasons to use external monitors instead of or in addition to our laptop’s screen.

However, if these monitors aren’t properly calibrated for color and for brightness, we could actually lose time and end up with subpar results. Many top-tier monitors have sensitive controls allowing us to fine-tune them for displaying colors properly. 

If we’re using our laptop’s monitor alone, we can also calibrate them to ensure our editing efforts aren’t wasted. There are several moderately priced calibration devices we can use for whatever monitor we may be using.

Save the RAW Files

^{photo byPashaIgnatov via iStock}

Save the processed files, too. Backups are good practice in any of our photographic endeavors, but especially so in our paid, time-sensitive projects. 

Making it a habit to save the unedited RAW files may save our butts when the inevitable ‘something wrong’ happens, though hopefully that happens only rarely in our work. There’s few things more time-consuming and reputation harming than calling the realtors and requesting a reshoot due to our error. 

If it’s their error and we have a contract stating terms for them, I’ll schedule reshoots all day long. But it is a big hassle and might cost future business if we lose our image files somehow. More than once, I’ve been grateful I picked up the backup habit early on in my professional career. 

These 4 tips for editing real estate photos in your own business should help you out with regard to workflow, delivering superior results, and developing or maintaining an excellent reputation. Tell us your favorite tips in our forum discussions, we’d love to hear them!

Learn More:

• Business Tips for Real Estate Photographers
• Photography for Realtors

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For a photography niche that is more science than art, real estate photography changes a lot and it can be hard to keep up with trends in real estate photography, especially if you haven’t been working in the industry for very long or if you only work in it part-time. 

Real estate photography trends can also be quite stressful, because if you show up for a meeting with your client and you don’t offer some niche type of photo or if you don’t have some odd credential, you might not get the job.

Of course, that’s why you have to play the game and keep up with new real estate photography trends... 

So, we decided to look ahead to 2021 and pinpoint upcoming real estate photography trends so that you can get any needed equipment now.

Some of these real estate photography trends have been gaining popularity slowly over the last couple of years, which means you’ve likely heard of them, and some of them seemingly popped up overnight. We will walk you through all of them. 

Partnering with Real Estate Databases

^{photo byanyaberkut  via iStock}

This is one of those real estate photography trends that seemingly popped up overnight: partnering with real estate databases. 

As far as we can tell, Zillow, one of the most popular real estate databases in the United States, started this trend by offering photographers the chance to become a Zillow-certified photographer. 

In order to become a Zillow-certified photographer, you have to fill out a form on the Zillow website. The form asks some really basic questions about you and a Zillow representative will call you to walk you through how you can create a portfolio through Zillow. 

Once you get into this Zillow portfolio, real estate agents can contact you directly off of Zillow.

Since this is one of the newer real estate photography trends on our list, you can likely be one of the first photographers in your area to be Zillow-certified. We are also expecting more and more real estate databases to begin doing the same thing, so be on the lookout for it. 

Creating Virtual Tours

^{photo bydamircudic via iStock}

While your average real estate buyer isn’t using a VR headset to walk through a property they’re looking at, they are expecting to be able to virtually walk through it on real estate databases like Zillow. 

In order to create a 3D tour of a home, you will need to buy a 360-degree camera, which can get pricey depending upon the brand you choose. However, since virtual tours are so popular right now, real estate agents and sellers are willing to spend a ridiculous amount of money to get one created for their home. So, you’ll likely make up any money you spend quickly.

Once you have your camera, you will also need to get a software that can host virtual tours for you. I recommend Cupix, mainly because it's free.  

You’ll then connect to an app on your phone so that you can see a preview of each shot you take of the home.

It’s really quite simple and I don’t know why it wasn’t one of the more popular real estate photography trends before this year.

Learn More:

• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos
• DIY Real Estate Photography Tips for Realtors

Taking Aerial Photos

^{photo bydjedzura via iStock}

I did mention that some of these real estate photography trends started way before 2021. This is one of them.  

But, people love drones. I’ve actually seen inspectors using drones to make sure that roofs are in good shape. If an inspector can use a drone, then so can you. 

Aerial photography is definitely more popular with higher priced properties, so properties with a lot of acreage or outdoor features like pools, but it's also becoming one of the most popular real estate photography trends for averagely priced housing as well.

I have written quite extensively about real estate photography tips, especially tips for using drones, and you can read some of that work here. 

The number one complaint I get about drones for photographers is that they are expensive and overrated. But, you can make up the cost of a drone in a month shooting real estate if you really want to and whether you think aerial photography is overrated as a trend or not doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. If it’s what real estate agents want, then it’s what real estate agents get. 

Using HDR Techniques

^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

This is another real estate photography trend that isn’t new, but it also isn’t as popular as it should be… 

One of the primary impediments to a great real estate photo is having a dynamic range that’s too much for your camera to handle. This often occurs when photographing interior rooms with small windows. Either the view out the window is well-exposed (thus leaving the room itself underexposed) or the view out the window is completely blown out and the room is well-exposed.

Creating bracketed exposures and merging them together in post-processing overcomes this issue. And best of all, there’s no expensive equipment to buy to make it happen! You just need a good processing program that makes merging exposures quick and easy.

An additional benefit of using this technique is that it’s fast. You’ll spend less time setting up your gear (your camera and a tripod is all you need!) and as shown in the video above, there’s very little processing time needed. It’s a win-win situation!

Outsourcing Editing

 photo byjacoblund via iStock

My least favorite part about real estate photography is the editing. This should come as no shock to myself, though, because my least favorite part about all photography is the editing. I’ve learned how to deal with computers, but technology was never the reason why I got into this industry. I did it so that I could work with people.

That’s why I love real estate photography trends that have to do with outsourcing anything technical, but particularly this one that has to do with outsourcing editing.

Other people are already excellent at working Photoshop and Lightroom and if I can pay them to do that for me, then I can spend my time bringing in more money working directly with clients. 

Where else do you think real estate photography 2021 will take us?

Learn More:

• How to Set Your Real Estate Photography Pricing
• Budget-Friendly Real Estate Photography Gear

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^{photo byImage Supply via iStock}

If you own a real estate photography business, you’re no doubt feeling the pressure of this pandemic. My business is pretty well established and we are still feeling the sting of a downward economy. 

But, there’s no need for you to panic because you can use this time to improve your real estate photography business so that when the market turns back up, you’ll have even more clients to impress.  

Let’s take a look at some real estate photography business tips that you can do from home.  

Table of Contents

• Teach Potential Clients While You Network
• Network With Other Photographers
• Use This Time to Spruce Up Your Social Media Channels
• Start Learning About the Newest Trends
• Add Services That Don’t Cost You Anything
• Learn How to Streamline Your Workflow

Teach Potential Clients While You Network

^{photo byfiladendron via iStock}

If you built your real estate photography business in a large city, then you probably used an old tactic I’ve used a thousand times: trade lunch for some networking. 

You walk into a real estate agent’s office and ask the agents for a little of their time in return for lunch at their favorite restaurant. It works almost every time. 

But, I find that a lot of photographers forget about one of the most important real estate photography business tips while they use this networking move; they forget to teach their potential clients.

Many agents don’t know very much about real estate photography. They know what sorts of pictures their clients like, but they don’t know about the specific equipment necessary to get those shots. 

^{photo byRawpixel via iStock}

Go to your meeting with a goal other than simply talking about your real estate photography business, teach your potential client something too. It helps to fill more time and they might enjoy learning about other people’s work.  

Now, you may be thinking, this is fine and great once I can actually take potential clients out for lunch. All of the restaurants in my town are closed. What am I supposed to do?

Set up a Zoom meeting. Ask your agent what their favorite meal is and have it delivered to their house. It’s classy. It allows you to get a few minutes with them to talk about your real estate photography business, and it allows you to continue networking from the comfort of your living room. 

 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Reading:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

Network With Other Photographers 

^{photo by LeoPatrizi via iStock} 

One of my favorite real estate photography business tips is to network with other photographers in your area. I received a large portion of my clients from other photographers when I was first starting out and it was a great way for me to meet other people so I could fend off those “work from home” blues. 

Well, it’s time to kick it up a notch. I’ve been hosting weekly virtual happy hours with photographers in my area since this pandemic broke out. It’s been a good way for us to share tips on how we’re dealing with slowing business and a nice period for us to vent about how much this pandemic has changed our lives. 

I promise you that if you start virtually networking with others in your industry during one of the worst times, they’ll remember you during the good times and make it all worth it. 

Use This Time to Spruce Up Your Social Media Channels

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I’m definitely guilty of letting social media fall by the wayside when I get too busy, and my real estate photography business hurts because of it. 

Take all of this social distancing time and network with potential clients on Facebook and Instagram. Build the types of pages you see other photographers that you admire in your area building.

Having an active presence online will only help increase visibility to potential clients. It also helps you define your brand and your brand messaging, which also helps you increase visibility to clients.

Learn More:

• How to Photograph Real Estate With a Smartphone
• Real Estate Photography Tip: How to Photograph Commercial Properties

Start Learning About the Newest Trends

^{photo by Kyryl Gorlov via iStock} 

Chances are, new photography trends have popped up since you started your real estate photography business. Aerial photos and 3D walk-throughs are two of the latest trends I still see very few real estate photographers offering.

If you have a little bit saved in a rainy day fund that you can afford to spend on some new equipment, then you can take this time to learn a new trick. 

Real estate photography is all about making your properties stand out, and with new and exciting approaches to highlighting a property, you can make the homes you photograph stand out from the crowd. 

Add Services That Don’t Cost You Anything

^{photo by AndreyPopov via iStock} 

If you don’t have a rainy day fund that you’re willing to spend on a new drone, you can still work on adding services to your real estate photography business that don’t cost you anything.

For instance, many clients value a quick turnaround time. For example, If the average turnaround time in your area is 3 days, try offering a 24-hour service. As another example, you can waive cancellation fees for returning clients. 

These are simple suggestions that give potential clients all the more reason to hire you, and they don’t cost you a dime!

Learn How to Streamline Your Workflow

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As they say, time is money, so the more time you spend getting photos ready for your clients, the less money you can make. 

If you ask me, one of the best ways to streamline a real estate photography workflow is to ditch artificial lighting and use HDR methods for interior photography. 

Why spend tons of money on lighting gear and tons of time setting it up when you can use your camera’s AEB function to bracket exposures? Doing so gets you well-exposed images in far less time, so it only makes sense to incorporate this practice into your workflow. If you’re not sure how to use your camera’s AEB function to bracket exposures, check out the video below.

Once you have your bracketed exposures, you need to merge them. Doing so blends the bracketed exposures you took into a single composite image that is well exposed throughout the range of highlights, midtones and shadows. 

And if you go about it the right way, you can use this to streamline your workflow even further...

By using software with real estate-specific settings, you can merge your photos. Using Photomatix Pro 6, you can automate the process to save time. You can also use one of dozens of HDR presets to get the precise look you want in the photos.

This is all about working smarter, not harder. Making choices that streamline your workflow will aid you in doing just that!

Learn More:

• 3 Real Estate Photography Cameras to Consider for 2020
• Budget Friendly Real Estate Photography Gear

 

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^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

Good real estate photos can be taken with just about any type of camera, but if you want to shoot gorgeous real estate photos, here are a few useful tips for real estate photographers.

You want to be able to present the best images to your realtor clients for their listings and you also want to have a reasonable workflow. These tips will help you do just that.

Streamline Your Workflow

^{photo byTom Merton via iStock}

In fact, making sure sure your workflow is streamlined while still offering the highest quality available is one of the most important real estate photography tips for anyone trying to break into this profitable and enjoyable business niche. 

You want to streamline your workflow because you will be taking and processing a fair amount of images. All of this takes time, from setting up your shots to processing multiple batches. While wanting to save time in order to maximize your profitability, you don’t want to sacrifice quality. 

^{photo bybuzbuzzer via iStock}

The product you’re imaging is a big ticket item, a really big ticket item. The listings can make the difference in multiple thousands of dollars of final prices of the properties, so we want to present the best real estate photos we can while not putting ourselves into a hole with doing too much work for them.

Streamlining a workflow involves the shooting, perhaps standardizing on just one or two lenses, having a general shot list you can adapt to most properties, and a way to keep track of rooms and exposures so nothing important is missed.

Streamlining also involves post processing, making sure we’re developing and correcting as needed without spending hours behind our keyboards. Which brings us to the next of our real estate photography tips.

Bracket and Merge

^{photo bySvetlana Mokrova via iStock}

More often than not, one of the major differences between good enough and gorgeous real estate photos is HDR photography. HDR, or high dynamic range photography, is the process of taking multiple images at slightly different exposure levels and merging, or blending, them into one composite image that shows detail in shadow, midrange, and highlight areas.

What makes HDR work so well with real estate photos is that taking pictures of houses involves a lot of exposure values. An interior view of a living room will have deep shadows in a corner, midtones along the walls, and perhaps a view of the bright highlights outside through a window. Bracketing and merging allows all of these values to exist together without highlights being blown out or shadows being blocked up. 

We just talked about simplifying our workflow, though. It may seem that all the extra exposures and processing would cause more work, but it doesn’t. It actually makes it easier to get great images, especially if we use one of the fine HDR merge programs that are currently available, as this tutorial shows. 

You can also find lots of video tutorials online about HDR merging, such as this one which is part of a larger series about making gorgeous real estate photos.

Learn More:

• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography

Manual Focus and Exposure Settings

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In order to capture image files that will work well with HDR merging, we will need to take control of our imaging devices - the camera and lens. Even though our modern digital cameras have superb metering and focusing capabilities, setting things manually is going to work out better for most real estate photos.  

Manual exposure is preferred for the bracket and merge method of HDR photography. This way, we can stay in control of the settings we need to stay the same, such as lens aperture for depth of field. It’s better to let the shutter speed vary instead of the lens aperture so that our carefully figured depth of focus isn’t affected by the bracketing.

^{photo bySavushkin via iStock}

Manual focus is better when bracketing and merging since we can set the focus based on the aperture and depth of field we want and not have to worry about it changing between exposures. In auto AF modes, the focus may change slightly or the camera may decide to hunt for focus right as we’re trying to make our exposure.

You will set your camera for continuous shots and then set the bracketing control for at least 3 different exposures, though with many cameras you may choose 5, 7, or 9 shots, too. Taking 3 or 5 is pretty common, adjusting exposure by 2 stops if shooting 3 exposures and by 1 or 1.5 stops if shooting 5 exposure brackets. Adjust these real estate photography tips to correspond to your specific camera, post processing program, and imaging style.

Meter a Midtone

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Even with HDR bracketing and merging, you still need a starting point for exposure. A default of sorts for many tips for real estate photographers is to set your ISO between 320 to 640, the lens aperture at f/8.0 to f/11.0, and the exposure bracket control for 3 shots at +/- 2 stops. 

The best results will come if you base your 0 exposure on a midtone. Meter a brick or stucco wall outside. If those walls are extremely bright or dark colored, meter the grass receiving the same sunlight as the walls. Exterior walls, by the way, not the entryway or patio walls which are likely going to be in significant shadow. 

When metering for a midtone inside, choose a well lit wall with a neutral color for best results. If there are not neutral color walls, meter off of tile or carpet receiving the same light as the walls. If nothing is a neutral color inside or outside, set up a gray card in the same light and meter from it.

This will get you the shutter speed to complete your exposure triangle for your initial image file of the bracketed set. You could use your camera meter, but a cheap handheld meter will simplify your workflow. You can find many excellent handheld meters on the used market.

And the Rest…

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The rest of our tips for gorgeous real estate photos are to choose a wide angle lens for most shots. Wider than the widest of our kit lenses. If using APS-C, a lens in the 10mm to 12mm is very usable, so a 10-20mm zoom is an option. For Full Frame format, a lens in the 14mm to 17mm focal length is good, so a zoom like a 14-24mm or 17-35mm will work.

A tripod is a vital accessory for real estate photography, especially if making use of HDR photography or shooting with a very slow shutter speed. Since we want stability between exposures, one of the heavier duty tripods may be preferred. A large, heavy duty, carbon fiber tripod provides extreme stability with lighter weight and better dampening than metal tripods.

^{photo bydem10 via iStock}

Keeping the camera level will eliminate extra processing work. An ultra wide lens can make straight lines look unusual if the camera and lens is not leveled properly. A simple shoe mounted spirit level will accomplish the task for you.

Following these starter tips for real estate photographers will get you going in a way where you can supply superior images for your realtor clients.

Learn More:

• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography
• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos

 

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 ^{photo by tucarion via iStock}

Bathroom Photos

One of the most challenging rooms in a home to photograph is the bathroom. This is thanks to small room sizes and the presence of mirrors that can capture your reflection in the shot. 

On top of that, there are often other reflective surfaces like glass, metal, and polished stone that can pose problems both from a reflection standpoint and a glare standpoint as well. 

There are ways to get around these issues, though.

In this how-to guide for photographing bathrooms, learn a few insider secrets that will help you improve the quality of your bathroom photography.

How to Photograph Bathrooms: Ensure the Space is Spotless

 ^{Photo by Chastity Cortijo on Unsplash}

Before you take a single photo of a bathroom, give the space a good once over to see if there is anything that needs to be cleaned.

Just like a kitchen, a bathroom must be completely spotless and in pristine condition if you’re going to get the best shots.

 ^{photo by irina88w via iStock}

While cleaning is likely not within the realm of your job duties, you might have to roll up your sleeves and do some fine-tuning to the space if no one else is available to ensure it is looking its best.

Naturally, solid surfaces like the bathtub and surround, the toilet, mirrors, and the vanity counter and sink should be clean and dry. Don’t forget the floor, either. Look at hardware as well - faucets, in particular, can have water spots that will be unsightly in a high-resolution photograph.

Learn More:

• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Interiors
• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo

Bathroom Photography Style Tips 

^{photo by contrastaddict via iStock} 

Building off the previous point, a bathroom shouldn’t just be clean, it needs to be nicely staged as well.

Staging doesn’t have to be over the top, either. Just make sure that towels are nicely folded, the toilet seat is down, and the toilet paper roll doesn’t have a jagged end. 

A couple of well-placed bath mats can add a pop of color or texture to the shot without being overwhelming. A small vase of flowers or a small plant on the vanity can have the same effect.

That’s really all you need to do to a well-appointed bathroom. The fixtures, tile work, lighting, and other features can do most of the talking.

Photographing Bathrooms: How to Overcome Bright Windows

 ^{Photo by Jose Soriano on Unsplash}

One of the biggest challenges of photographing a bathroom when a window is present is getting the exposure right for the interior space as well as the view through the window.

This is particularly difficult if the bathroom is dark and the windows are small - the result is often a photo that’s well-exposed for the dark bathroom or a photo that’s well-exposed for the bright window, but not both.

To get around this problem, you can bracket your exposures - take three to five photos of the space that are exactly the same, except for the exposure settings - and merge them together to create a final image that’s well-exposed throughout, like the one shown above.

It’s a simple process, especially if you use HDR software such as Photomatix Pro to merge the bracketed exposures together. Additionally, if you use this technique, you don’t have to invest in expensive lighting gear because you can rely on natural light and the bracket and merge process to get high-quality images.

Learn More:

• Composition Tips for Photographing Real Estate Interiors
• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Camera Bag?

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Bathroom Photography Tip: Have a Strong Subject

 ^{Photo by Aaron Huber on Unsplash}

Though finding room in a bathroom to set up your gear and get a shot can be tricky (more on that in a bit), it’s important to strive for a shot that has a strong subject.

Bathrooms usually have all sorts of eye-grabbing items, be that a beautiful bathtub surround, a unique vanity cabinet, or interesting details like high-end faucets and other fixtures.

When photographing a bathroom, you’ll want some wide shots that show the lay of the land, but to keep them from feeling bland and boring, find your strong subject and center it in the frame for a more compelling shot.

In the example above, the bathtub, the windows, and the view out the windows serve as an ideal focal point for the photo. Notice how the perspective and point of view of the shot invite you into the space. That’s just what you want!

Bathroom Photography Mistakes: Be Careful of Sharp Angles  

 ^{Photo by Thomas Young on Unsplash}

One mistake that some real estate agents and real estate photographers make is trying to photograph bathrooms at sharp angles to offer a creative or unique view of the bathroom.

This is a mistake because the result of that can be wonky lines that make the bathroom look as though it isn’t square or as though you were falling over as you took the photo (as shown above).

Granted, this perspective distortion can be mitigated in post-processing, but it’s much easier to fix the issue in-camera by taking the shot with the camera level to the floor.

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography Tips for Consistently Great Photos
• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography

Bathroom Photography Tricks How to Avoid Reflections 

 ^{Photo by Logan Ripley on Unsplash}

As noted earlier, one of the most challenging aspects of bathroom photography is finding ways to photograph the space without catching your reflection in the shot.

One of the easiest tricks to avoid this is to change the height from which you take the photo.

For example, in the image above, the photographer dropped the elevation of the camera to avoid the mirror above the sink. And while this perspective isn’t typical, it still works because there details that give the photo tons of interest - the door knob and the drawer pulls among them.

 photo by tucarion via iStock

Another trick you can employ is to choose your shooting angles very carefully.

Using the image above as an example, note how the photographer positioned themselves just right to avoid being in the reflection of the vanity mirror. Likewise, their positioning is such that their reflection is avoided in the glass-enclosed shower. 

In this case, just a step or two to the left or right could have ruined the shot. When composing your photos of bathrooms, take extra care to check for reflections so you can take action to avoid them.

Of course, there will be times when your reflection cannot be avoided. In those situations, you might need to rely on your post-processing skills to remove your reflection from the photo. 

If you’re not quite sure how to do that, consult the video above by Houston Brown.

With that, you have a few critical tips for how to photograph bathrooms to get the best possible results.

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 ^{photo byirina88w via iStock}

Learning how to photograph exteriors involves taking advantage of tips for real estate exterior photography concerning the all important real estate hero shot.

What is a real estate hero shot? Why is it so important? And what real estate photography tips will help us with crafting a good real estate hero shot as we learn how to take real estate exterior photos in general?

The Real Estate Hero Shot - Why So Important?

 ^{photo byirina88w via iStock}

The real estate hero shot is the cover photo for our virtual property flyer, also known as the MLS listing. It’s the first thing prospective buyers will see and if it captures their attention, then those potential buyers are as good as in your virtual front door.

The real estate hero shot is not new to posting real estate pics online. It was being used when newspaper print real estate flyers were being printed weekly as the listing photo. Some luxury style homes would have brochures or “slicks” printed with a beauty or hero shot on the front cover.

What makes it so special in digital format is that home shoppers can now     browse through hundreds of listings in a brief time. If an image of a home catches their attention, they can immediately see more images of the home by simply clicking on that listing.

Additionally, digital real estate hero shots can take full advantage of the capabilities of digital photography to create uniquely crafted images.

What Is a Real Estate Hero Shot?

^{photo byEpicStockMedia via iStock}

While most of the images we present for our real estate clients, or for our own personal listing if listing FSBO (for sale by owner), should be simple, straightforward, and well crafted as opposed to being artsy, a hero image can involve some photographic art.

Instead of a straight on view from the road, we can change the view a little, perhaps moving over a little bit to highlight the beauty of the structure. (Another term for a real estate hero shot is the beauty shot.) 

One of our favorite real estate photography tips, the bracket and merge technique, can be used to make the perfect real estate hero shot. Especially if you use that method to capture twilight views of the home for sale.

Learn More:

• When To Take Outdoor Photos of Real Estate
• What Makes Real Estate Photos Look Good

Twilight Shots are Great Hero Images

^{photo bykaramysh via iStock}

A great beauty shot, a real estate hero shot that immediately captures attention, is the twilight image shot with the bracket and merge HDR technique. 

Twilight images shot in HDR have a unique look that tends to set them apart from other beauty shots. When crafted properly, a twilight image will show the house with great colors in the skies and windows while maintaining a relatively normal appearance in everything about the exterior of the house.

If you haven’t yet tried the backet and merge HDR technique for your regular real estate images, watch this YouTube video explaining how you can use it for both interior and exterior real estate images as well as all sorts of other types of photography. 

How To Take Twilight Images

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You already know how to photograph real estate exteriors and make them look great, in order to craft a twilight image as a real estate hero shot, you simply need to take that skill one step further.

First, decide which twilight you want to use, because there are actually two twilights in each day. One is just after sunset, the other is  just before sunrise. Twilights is the time when the Sun is below the horizon, out of view, but the sky still has a lot of illumination. 

One direction of the twilight sky will be brighter than the other, mainly because that’s the direction the Sun is. You’ll want to scout out what direction the house you’re photographing faces in relation to the sun position so you have some of that sky brightness to use.

Turn on the house lights inside and out, open the blinds and curtains, frame the house slightly off center, and with your camera on a tripod take those 3, 5, or 7 exposures to blend together with your HDR bracket and merge post processing program. 

In your HDR processing, use the slider tools to adjust colors and color temperature, exposure and densities for highlights, midrange, and shadows, plus controlling what style of image you want.

Grab Attention for Your Own Real Estate Hero Shot

^{photo bychandlerphoto via iStock}

Use your new power wisely! Bracket and merge HDR photography for real estate imaging is one of the best new techniques to come along in digital photography.  

It doesn’t have to be a twilight image to be the beauty shot, but the bracket and merge technique can be used any time of day. After using it to make your own real estate hero shots, try it out for all of your other real estate photos and any other type of photography you think could work for you. 

Learn More:

• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos
• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography

 

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^{photo by hikesterson via iStock}

What is the best lighting solution for interior real estate photography? Should I use the bracket and merge technique or some form of artificial lighting? What are the advantages of artificial lighting vs HDR photography for real estate photography? 

As we examine the answers to these questions, we’ll also learn some basic tips and techniques for the lighting and exposure of interior real estate photography. 

Importance of Good Images for Real Estate

^{photo byDragonImages via iStock}

Real estate photography is a great way for photographers to make money. You can engage in real estate photography as a full time endeavor, as an addition to existing portfolio of services, or as a way to break into professional photography. 

One thing to keep in mind, creating images for listings is important. Consider it as product photography or advertising for a very big ticket item. Buying and selling a home involves quite a lot of money for buyers, sellers, and agents, so providing the best images possible is a priority.

^{photo bygilaxia via iStock}

Anyone can use a smartphone to upload some pics, but it requires attention to detail to end up with the clean and clear views expected in real estate photography. How to properly expose for interior real estate photography is a basic skill fully within the capabilities of many photographers.

Artificial Lighting vs HDR Photography

^{photo byYvanDube via iStock}

The exterior views of a property may be relatively simple to capture, it’s when we get inside that we see how complex a scene might be. This applies to residential and commercial properties alike, and across all price ranges of realty. 

It is generally considered important to show windows in real estate photos, but opening up blinds or curtains causes an increase in contrast in many interior rooms. The parts of a room lit by window light or house lights will be relatively bright while a corner or underneath a cabinet may sit in deep shadow. Adding in furniture increases the chances of a wide contrast range since it adds more opportunities for shadows.

We want to get those dark areas balanced with the brighter parts of the scene so that prospective buyers or renters get an accurate representation of the space being viewed. Which means we either need to add light or adjust exposure.

^{photo byAlessandroPhoto via iStock}

Adding light can be accomplished with portable on or off camera flash, studio strobes or continuous lighting on stands, or using large reflectors. If you're wondering how to photograph real estate with natural light, not adding any light ourselves, that’s where HDR photography comes in.

Learn More:

• Critical Tips for Interior Real Estate Photography
• Real Estate Photography Gear List

Pros and Cons of Artificial Lighting

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Most of the advanced digital cameras we would use for real estate photography have a built-in flash unit. Forget about using it, it’s not really that useful for realty pictures. An on camera automatic flash or speedlight is a better option, especially if they can be used for bounce light. Adding a diffuser is also a good idea. 

The biggest problem with any on camera flash for imaging an interior room is the directionality of the added light. You are limited to the flash directing the light from camera position, which is why using bounce flash is recommended. Even with bounce flash, though, take notice of the direction of any added shadows conflicting with window light or house lights.

Off camera strobes or continuous lights give you more flexIbility of light direction, but they add complexity to the workflow of taking the photos. You could set up a bank of lights to bathe every square foot of a room with light, but it might require carrying a lot of extra gear or being dependent on power outlets. 

A major pro in favor of using artificial lights is that you may be able to shorten post-processing time if your base exposure is well calculated. Using this kind of real estate photography equipment can help you do that.

Pros and Cons of HDR Photography

^{photo byJamesBrey via iStock}

The bracket and merge technique of photography, also known as HDR for high dynamic range, is a method that digital photography makes possible and is widely used for real estate photography. Check out this tutorial of the bracket and merge technique for tips on how to photograph interiors for real estate.

Here’s how it works, multiple exposures of a scene are taken at different exposure values and then a processing program is used to merge them together for a completed image file. It’s the different exposure values part that’s important. In addition to exposure settings that would be considered normal, overexposed and underexposed files are also added for balancing the dynamic range of the scene.

^{This image shows how a dark interior with bright windows presents a challenge for getting a well-exposed photo.}

^{This image shows how bracketing multiple exposures and blending them together can help you get interior shots that are well-exposed throughout.}

With a scene that is typical for interior real estate photography, an uncovered window lets in sunlight and shows the exterior beyond the window while a corner, doorway, or cabinet area in the scene is in deep shadow. The range of light levels cannot be properly recorded in one exposure. 

If we expose for highlights, the shadows are unreadable, vice versa for exposing for shadow. Exposing for the middle level leaves us with the brightest highlights and the darkest shadows unreadable. In this YouTube video, you can see how effective and simple it can be with the right software.

Changes Your Workflow

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Which brings us to the one downside or con of this technique, you add several layers of workflow to your real estate photography. However, the advantages of this technique for real estate photography are huge. This method provides the most natural lighting for interiors since there are few shadow concerns. 

Colors also appear very natural and vibrant, provided you use the program options for natural blending. Which makes it a good method for real estate exteriors as well, since overhangs and other architectural features can also cause an issue of dynamic range.

One other possible con is that you must use a tripod for best blending results. But, you probably already have added tripod use into your workflow to ensure sharper images. It’s essential to take at least three exposures for achieving useful results in processing.  

A good technique is to meter a middle gray value for the base exposure. Remember, middle gray is an exposure value, not a color. Check out the Ansel Adams Zone System for an explanation of this concept. 

Summing Up…

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When considering the pros and cons of artificial lighting vs HDR, consider the end result and your workflow. You (and your clients) want the best images of the property, inside and out. Using either artificial lighting or HDR, figure out what method works best for you and then take steps to efficiently incorporate it into your workflow.  

Learn More:

• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography
• How To Take Gorgeous Interior Real Estate Photos

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^{Photo by Brian Babb on Unsplash}

Real estate photography tips flood the internet, but I’ve found that most focus on tips for taking better photos. While those are certainly important, tips for the business side of things are critical as well.

Over the years, I have explored this topic in-depth, given that I have a background in real estate and I live in Southern California where the real estate market is typically bonkers.

That being the case, I thought I would share four real estate photography business tips that most real estate photographers overlook during their first few years in business.

Build a Standard Contract, Then Adjust As Needed

^{Photo by Cytonn Photography on Unsplash}

You need to create a contract that outlines:

• Your flat rate per hour of shooting/editing/traveling to and from the site
• Exactly what you should be expected to accomplish (i.e., don't stage a house if you aren't being paid to do so!)
• What your client can expect regarding the finished product
• When they can expect the finished product
• Your method of accepted pay
• The date by which your invoice must be paid 
• How much additional pay you will bill if the payment is late

Then, after you've built your standard contract, you need to adjust it for each job.

For example, I save my standard contract with each section I frequently change highlighted. This way, when I need to adjust an invoicing date, I know exactly where to do so and can find it in mere seconds.

Alternatively, you can use Excel or a program like Quickbooks to automate some aspects of your invoicing to speed up your billing workflow that much more.

Quick Tip: You might also explore photography-specific invoicing programs, like Shootproof. You can create templates to use over and over again, set up autopay with clients, set up payment plans, and all sorts of other time-saving tasks that help you spend less time billing and more time actually taking photos.

Buy Insurance

^{Photo by rupixen on Unsplash}

This is one of those things that is often forgotten about until it's too late. I understand you may not feel like you can afford to buy insurance so early on in your real estate photography career, but you definitely cannot afford to have a camera go down and need repairs or have all of your equipment stolen without having insurance.

Furthermore, you need to purchase liability insurance (particularly if you are shooting homes with a lot of expensive artwork, glassware, etc.).

Things can and will go wrong - it's just a fact of life. So be prepared by having yourself, your gear, and your business as a whole covered with the appropriate insurance policies.

Learn More:

• Building a Real Estate Photography Business: Permits, Finances, and Insurance
• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography

Always Put Two Shooting Dates In Your Calendar

^{Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash}

I find this is the best way to prepare for eventualities like bad weather or simply needing to return to the property at different times of the day to get the best light for each shot.

Likewise, there will be occasions when you show up to photograph a property and find that it hasn't been staged yet - or even cleaned.

Flexibility is the key with real estate photography because you have a lot of partners in the process - Mother Nature, the real estate agent, the homeowner, stagers, and so forth. With so many people involved in the process, and you being the last one in line, there will be delays. It's best to plan for that upfront!

Be Speedy

^{Photo by STIL on Unsplash}

This one goes without saying, but it's also one of the tips for real estate photographers.

The longer it takes you to get the photos processed and back in the hands of the real estate agent or the homeowner, the longer it will take them to complete the tasks they need to in order to get the home sold.

Likewise, if you take too long working on photos for one property, you'll have difficulty staying on schedule for the other properties on your list.

This isn't to say that you should speed through taking photos and processing them, but developing a workflow that streamlines the process will certainly help.

In my experience, there are two key areas in which you can save a lot of time (and money, for that matter).

First, don't bother with artificial lighting gear for interior photos.

Not only is lighting gear expensive, but it's also cumbersome to transport and set up, and will require a good deal of time to learn how to use it. Furthermore, you don't need it!

By bracketing your exposures (as shown in the video above) and merging them together, you can create well-exposed photos of interior spaces

This brings me to my next point...

^{Photo by Deagreez via iStock}

Using software specifically designed for merging bracketed exposures will speed up your post-processing workflow and allow you to get the final images to your clients much faster.

As you can see here, it's a process that requires just a few simple steps to complete. There's even a batch feature you can utilize to speed up the process that much more.

The old cliche "time is money" is true, folks! But with these tips, you'll be able to produce the images you need faster, but without sacrificing quality.

Learn More: 

• Building a Real Estate Photography Business: Making a Business Plan and Selecting a Business Structure
• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate PhotographyPost-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography

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Though it might be appealing to set your camera to full auto mode to photograph a property's exterior, you should be wary of going that route.

Why?

In short, full auto mode puts all the responsibility for exposure decisions on the camera, and that often leads to exposure mistakes.

This is especially true if there are challenging lighting conditions present.

Instead, taking control of your camera settings by shooting in a semi-automatic mode like aperture priority can make all the difference in the world.

In this tutorial, you'll learn some of the basics of taking more control over your camera so you get better real estate photos.

Essential Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography: Exposure Controls

 

If you're unfamiliar with basic camera settings, you'll need to first familiarize yourself with the following:

• Aperture - Aperture refers to the size of the opening created by the diaphragm in the lens. It controls the amount of light: the larger the opening, the more light that enters the lens; the smaller the opening, the less light. Aperture is measured in f-stops, where f/1.4 refers to a very large aperture opening, f/11 refers to a mid-range aperture, and f/22 refers to a very small aperture opening. Refer to this detailed tutorial for more information on aperture.
• Shutter speed - Shutter speed refers to the length of time the camera's shutter is open. It controls the duration of light: the longer the shutter speed, the more light that enters the lens; the faster the shutter speed, the less light. Shutter speed is measured in seconds and fractions of seconds, like 1 sec, 5 sec, 1/100th sec, and so forth. Learn more about shutter speed in this guide.
• ISO - ISO refers to the sensitivity of the camera's sensor to light. ISO is indicated by numbers like 100, 200, 400, 800, and so on, with lower numbers indicating less sensitivity to light and higher numbers indicating greater sensitivity to light. For more details about ISO, be sure to read this guideline.

These three camera settings - aperture, shutter speed, and ISO - control the exposure of an image and are referred to as the "Exposure Triangle."

In looking at the graphic above, you can see how each of the three settings have individual impacts on how bright or dark an image looks, yet they all work together to determine the exposure as well.

Additionally, each setting has creative impacts on the images you take. For example, aperture determines the depth of field (how much of the shot is sharp), shutter speed determines how motion is captured (sharp or blurry), and ISO determines how much digital noise (or grain) appears in the image.

^{Photo by Craig McLachlan on Unsplash}

Typically, aperture is the most important of the three settings when photographing a property. There are a couple of reasons for this.

First, you want to ensure everything in the shot is nice and sharp by maximizing the depth of field, as was done above. You do so by manipulating the aperture (and a few other things, as explained here).

Second, since the property you're photographing is a static object, you needn't worry as much about the shutter speed.

That means that prioritizing the aperture setting is often a good idea when taking these kinds of photos.

Learn More:

• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography

Best Exposure Mode for Exterior Photos: Aperture Priority Mode

Aperture priority mode (indicated as A or Av on your camera's dial) is a semi-automatic exposure mode that gives you the ability to dial in the desired aperture while the camera retains control over the shutter speed.

This mode also allows you to make changes to the ISO. This is important because you can set a low ISO (i.e., 100 or 200) and avoid the graininess that's associated with higher ISO values.

This is great for taking photos of properties because it gives you more control over the exposure without having to worry about shooting in full manual mode and having the responsibility of changing all three exposure settings.

Quick Tip: When photographing exterior elements that have movement (i.e., a waterfall feature in the backyard), use shutter priority mode. This enables you to set a slow shutter speed that will blur the movement of the water to create a beautiful, dramatic image. Learn how to use shutter priority mode.

Other Important Camera Settings

In addition to controlling the exposure settings and the shooting mode, you'll need to familiarize yourself with a number of other camera settings to get the highest-quality real estate photos.

Here's a quick list of settings with which to become more familiar:

• Focus Mode - In most circumstances, single-shot autofocus (which is usually the default mode) will work just fine for photographing exteriors.
• Metering Mode - Typically, using multi-zone metering (also known as matrix, evaluative, or pattern metering) is a good bet for exterior shots. This mode evaluates the areas of light and shadow throughout the scene to help the camera get the best exposure.
• White Balance - Auto white balance (AWB) works well in most situations. Even if it's slightly off and you find that your images have a color cast, that's an easy fix to make in post-processing.
• Image Quality - Shooting in RAW gives you a greater ability to process your images because unlike JPEGs, RAW files are uncompressed and retail all the detail captured by the imaging sensor. However, RAW images cannot be immediately shared - the must be processed and saved as a JPEG first. If you're taking photos to share on social media, for example, change the image quality to JPEG or simply shoot a few photos with your smartphone.

Learn More:

• What You Need to do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo

Putting Camera Settings Into Action

Exterior Photos Taken During the Day

^{Photo by Pixasquare on Unsplash}

With the abundance of light that's available on a typical sunny day, you can use a smaller aperture and lower ISO to help manage all that light while still having a good depth of field.

For an image like the one above, the following settings are a good place to start:

• Exposure Mode - Aperture Priority
• Aperture - f/11
• ISO - 100
• Shutter Speed - Determined by Camera
• Focus Mode - Single-Shot Autofocus
• Metering Mode - Matrix

If at these settings you find that the image is still too bright, step the aperture down to f/13 or f/14 to restrict the amount of light and darken the photo slightly.

Conversely, if the image is too dark, you can open the aperture to f/10 or f/9 to brighten the image (or you can increase the ISO to 200 or 400 to brighten it as well).

Exterior Photos Taken in the Evening

Golden hour - the 30 minutes or so before sunset and after sunrise - offers gorgeously soft, warm light that is perfect for exterior real estate photos.

But because the intensity and amount of light in the evening is not what it is during the daytime, some adjustments are needed to get a proper exposure.

When shooting during golden hour, try these settings as your starting point:

• Exposure Mode - Aperture Priority
• Aperture - f/8
• ISO - 200
• Shutter Speed - Determined by Camera
• Focus Mode - Single-Shot Autofocus
• Metering Mode - Matrix

Notice in this case that the aperture has been opened up to allow more light in and the ISO has been increased to 200.

Again, since these are just starting points, you might find that you need to experiment a little with these settings.

The most likely of scenarios is that the image will be too dark, thus necessitating a larger aperture (say, f/7.1 or f/6.3), a higher ISO (400 or even 800), or a combination thereof.

Another issue you'll likely encounter when photographing properties in the evening is having a very bright sky due to the setting sun and a very dark foreground. This often occurs even when using matrix metering, which tries to account for large areas of brightness and darkness, but the difference in light values can often overwhelm the camera.

Instead, merging multiple exposures will get you a pleasing shot that's got a well-exposed throughout, from the foreground to the midground to the background.

Quick Tip: When photographing a property at night, try starting with an aperture of f/5.6 and an ISO of 800 and work from there. Keep a close eye on the shutter speed, though - if it's too slow, you could end up with unwanted blurred movement in the shot. Also pay close attention to the depth of field. Remember, as the aperture gets larger, the depth of field will shrink.

Mastering Real Estate Camera Settings

As with anything in photography (and real estate, for that matter!), the key to mastering camera settings is simply to practice, practice, practice.

Though it can be intimidating at first, you'll find that switching from full auto mode to aperture priority mode opens up many more avenues for you to capture the best photos.

If you find that you're struggling to get the exposure just right, don't panic! Refer back to this guide and our real estate photography section for a little help, try again, and keep working on your skills. The results will make your time and effort worth it!

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 ^{photo by Eder Maioli via iStock} 

Real estate photography is an interesting animal because on the one hand, you will generally be capturing similar types of shots from one property to the next.

There’s the typical shot of the front of the property, images that highlight living spaces and bedrooms, photos that reveal what the backyard looks like, and so forth.

Yet, just like people, each property you photograph is very different and requires you to approach photographing it with a keen eye.

Here are some beginner real estate photography tips to get you started if you’ve never photographed real estate before. 

Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips: Invest in The Right Equipment

^{Photo by Nikolai Chernichenko on Unsplash} 

This one goes without saying, but you’ll need to buy the right equipment if you’re going to do a good job. Primarily, you will need a good tripod, a wide-angle lens, and a solid image editing program. 

On the lens front, a good wide-angle zoom is advantageous because it gives you the option of adjusting the focal length with a simple twist of the lens barrel.

Lenses in the 15-50mm range are good choices as they offer wide-angle views for smaller rooms but also allow you to zoom in to compose more tightly framed shots when needed. 

Note that you don’t need to opt for a lens with a huge maximum aperture, like f/1.2, either.

  ^{photo by Pollyana Ventura via iStock}

On the one hand, these lenses are quite expensive. On the other hand, they simply aren’t needed for real estate photography.

To maximize depth of field and sharpness, its recommended to shoot with an aperture of around f/8. That being the case, a lens with an aperture of f/4 or f/3.5-5.6 will work just fine.

In our detailed tutorial on lenses for real estate photography, we enumerate a variety of lenses that are well-suited for photographing properties.

  ^{photo by NoSystem images via iStock}

As for your tripod, I’m generally of the belief that any cheap tripod will do for beginners.

A lot of other beginner real estate photography tips lists try to sell you on equipment you don’t need just to get started. You can always invest in a good quality tripod later on, after your business is making income.

As long as your tripod offers a solid base for your camera, it’ll do just fine.

  ^{photo by jacoblund via iStock}

Lastly, you need the right editing program to bring your images to life.

Many photographers use Lightroom or Photoshop, and both are solid choices. I would add to that the need for HDR software as well. 

Creating HDR images of properties means you can avoid having to use (or buy) artificial lighting equipment. Besides, you get more natural-looking results anyway!

By bracketing your exposures and then merging them in HDR software, you ensure the images are perfectly aligned, sharp, straight, and have good color and contrast. What’s not to like about that?

Learn More:

• A How-To Guide for Photographing Bathrooms 
• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Bag? 

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Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips: Don’t Rely on Post-Processing to Fix Mistakes 

^{Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash}

I’ll be the first to say that post-processing programs are invaluable to photographers for creating the most impactful images. 

But to think of Photoshop or similar programs as being a failsafe that will enable you to fix any and all errors is a big mistake.

Instead, strive to get your images right in-camera.  

Take your time to compose the shot. Ensure the camera is level so you don’t have to straighten every image in post-processing. Use the bracket and merge technique mentioned earlier so you have good shadows, midtones, and highlights with details throughout.

Yes, you’ll need to use post-processing to perfect colors, get the white balance just right, crop, and so forth, but try your best to get things right when you take the images, and you’ll spend much less time trying to correct mistakes after the fact.

Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips: Include the Real Estate Agent

 photo by kate_sept2004 via iStock 

Please, communicate with the real estate agent! You’ll never learn how to take real estate photos if you get fired from your first job for not understanding the types and amounts of photos the agent wanted.  

The Realtor is also one of your best resources. They know the property well and can help you devise a shot list so you highlight all the special details of the property.

In many cases, Realtors are also charged with ensuring the house is clean, staged, and ready for photos.

Articles on real estate photography tips for beginners rarely touch on this point, so be sure you reach out to the real estate agent and make them an integral component of your workflow. Your images will be the better for it!

Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips: Know What Is Expected of You

 ^{photo byBombaert via iStock}

Know your deliverables. Do you need 25 RAW files? Or is your client expecting JPG files? How large should the photos be? Are they high-res because they are being sent directly to prospective home buyers, or do they need to be smaller for a website?

What about videos? Do they want walk-through videos of the home? 

Did you capture every feature of the home the client asked you to?

Before you head out on your first real estate photography job, make sure you have a list of exactly what you need, and then keep that list in front of you every time you’re working on that project.  

Just like you need to do a walkthrough of the property before you photograph it, you need to be sure you understand precisely what’s expected of you when the process is all said and done.

Learn More:

• Building a Real Estate Photography Business: Making a Business Plan and Selecting a Business Structure 
• Basic Business Tips for Real Estate Photographers 

 

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 ^{photo bytulcarion via iStock}

Photographing real estate interiors can be relatively easy, but it can also be daunting if you’re a new photographer who hasn’t read many tips for beginner real estate photographers. 

Photographing real estate interiors is also a bit different than photographing real estate exteriors. 

Whether you are photographing real estate interiors for realtors, designers, or contractors, this list of simple real estate photography tips will make your experience a whole lot easier. 

How to Photograph Interiors for Real Estate: Use Depth of Field to Your Advantage

 ^{photo byIryna Kaliukina via iStock}

Basic real estate photography tips often suggest maximizing the depth of field in your images, that way everything in the shot from foreground to background is in sharp focus.

But you should not be afraid to minimize the depth of field, either. Creating a blurry background in some of your images can make the viewer excited about a home’s features. This works well for things like interesting hardware on the kitchen cabinets or detail shots of fixtures like the faucets in the main bath. It is almost as if you are slowly unwrapping a present. You don’t know what’s going to be in the next shot.

By mixing in some shallow depth of field shots, you add to the story of the home. Think of these images as the icing on the cake - that finishing touch that can make potential buyers think “WOW!”

Create Simple Shots By Using Clean Angles

 ^{photo byFollowTheFlow via iStock}

Another tip for photographing real estate interiors is to create more simple shots. The simpler your interior photos are, the more likely the home is to shine in the shots. 

Let’s say you’re photographing the living room. To create a simple shot, you can pick any piece of furniture in and shoot it head on, be it the couch, the coffee table, or a side chair.

Doing so showcases the space while allowing you to highlight how the space might be used. Staged photos are far more appealing, anyway, so clean and simple staged photos will go a long way in making a home more appealing.

You also need to ensure that all of the lines in each of your images are nice and straight. Vertical lines need to be vertical and horizontal lines need to be horizontal. If the lines in the shot are distorted, they will be a distraction and draw people’s attention away from the beauty of the space.

Learn More:

• 5 Real Estate Photography Trends for 2021
• When to Take Outdoor Photos of Real Estate

Don’t Be Afraid to Show Details

 ^{photo byFollowTheFlow via iStock}

When I’m photographing real estate interiors, I feel like I get into this disagreement with realtors or owners around half the time. The realtors and owners want me to strictly stick to taking pictures of the actual house. So, full-on shots of each bedroom, the kitchen, and so forth. But, I recommend that they have me take close up shots of some of the finer details of the staging of the home. 

It doesn’t make sense for an owner to spend thousands or tens of thousands of dollars on staging their home, if they don’t let me capture it. The staging is what draws people in. It’s what makes people want to come see it in person. Plus, in our digital age, more and more people are purchasing their homes online without seeing it in person. Of course, I would never do this, but I understand why investors do. 

When you are photographing real estate interiors, make sure to capture all of the details of the way the home looks on the day you see it. Whatever catches your eye is likely to catch someone else’s as well.

Do Before and Afters

 ^{photo byanatoliy_gleb via iStock}

This is another thing that typical real estate photography tips don’t cover: shooting before and after photos.  

Depending upon who you’re working for, you likely didn’t have the opportunity to shoot any of the “before” shots, but that shouldn’t prevent you from asking for them. You can then go back and shoot the same shots after a remodel or even after staging. 

This is not only a great thing for sellers and contractors, but it is also something to add to your portfolio. 

You don’t even have to do before and after photos once a home is remodeled or staged. If the before shots were taken by an amateur photographer, the likelihood that the images of the interior spaces are well-exposed is fairly slim. That’s because photographing interior spaces often means dealing with a high dynamic range between very bright windows and much darker rooms.

Learning how to shoot a house with bright windows is easy if you take bracketed exposures. Doing so allows you to capture a series of images that are exactly the same except for their exposure level.

Then, as shown in the video above, you can merge the bracketed exposures together, which gets you a final composite image that retains the detail both in the bright windows and the darker areas of the room.

Using this technique alone will generate far better images that potential buyers will appreciate. It’s a simple before and after technique that will make the home shine!

Learn More:

• 5 Things You Can Do to Improve Your Real Estate Photography Business During the Pandemic
• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos

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^{Photo by jodiejohnson via iStock} 

One of the most critical components of taking high-quality real estate photos is understanding basic camera settings.

That is, rather than taking photos in full auto mode, it's suggested that you exert control over what the camera does in terms of its exposure settings.

This does not mean that you must take all your photos in full manual mode. Far from it.

In fact, as I discuss in this real estate photography tutorial, there are other options you can use to have more control over the exposure without having to be in charge of all exposure controls.

Understanding Exposure Controls

If you're new to photography or are old-hat and just need a quick refresher, the video above by Tek Syndicate offers an excellent overview of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO, and how these settings are used to manipulate the exposure of an image.

Additionally, you can consult this tutorial on real estate photography, which outlines exposure settings, the Exposure Triangle, aperture priority mode, and other essential camera settings for photographing real estate.

As that tutorial notes, aperture priority mode, which gives you control over the aperture and the ISO setting while the camera determines a shutter speed to match, enables you to have an added level of control over the exposure without having to be responsible for all three settings.

^{Photo by eROMAZe via iStock}

This isn't to say that you shouldn't shoot interior photos in manual mode, but in many situations, aperture priority mode works perfectly fine.

An advantage of using aperture priority mode is that you can select the aperture at which your lens is sharpest (called the sweet spot) to ensure your property photos are maximally sharp.

While the sweet spot of a lens is different from one lens to the next, generally speaking, it's often in the f/8 range.

Quick Tip: It's strongly advised to utilize a tripod and a remote shutter release when photographing interiors. Depending on the lighting in the room, the shutter speed the camera selects could be quite slow. If the camera is not perfectly still, slow shutter speeds will result in blurry images. As a rule of thumb, if you're using shutter speeds slower than about 1/50 seconds, you need a tripod.

When to Change the Aperture

^{Photo by Pinkybird via iStock}

Though leaving the aperture alone at around f/8 will work fine for many interior photos, there will be occasions when you need to widen or narrow the aperture.

Remember, widening the aperture means selecting a smaller f-number. So, an aperture of f/2 is much larger than f/8 while an aperture of f/16 is much smaller than f/8.

Likewise, recall that the aperture influences the depth of field, where small f-numbers like f/2 minimize the depth of field and large f-numbers like f/16 maximize the depth of field.

Say, for example, that you want to highlight a particular feature in a room, like the hardware on a cabinet drawer or the detail of a fireplace mantel.

To do so, using a small f-number like f/2 will help you blur the background of the shot, thus making the detail you wish to highlight more visible.

^{Photo by hikesterson via iStock} 

On the other hand, if the room you're photographing has a lot of detail from foreground to background, using a larger f-number like f/16 might be prudent as this deepens the depth of field.

This is especially important if there are elements in the shot very near the camera in the foreground.

For example, if you're photographing the dining room and the table extends well into the foreground (as shown above), shooting at f/16 might help you keep the nearest edge of the table as well as the more distant elements in the room all sharply in focus.

Learn More:

• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography
• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What's in the Camera Bag?

Overcoming Challenging Lighting in Real Estate Interiors

^{Photo by Bulgac via iStock}

When photographing interior spaces, you will encounter a wide variety of lighting conditions.

On the one hand, you might have some rooms that are flooded with natural light. These spaces are often the easiest to photograph because the room has plenty of light for the photo. Not only do you not need artificial lighting, but you also don't have to worry about having a dark interior space with bright windows.

^{Photo by Bulgac via iStock}

On the other hand, you will find that some rooms are quite dark due to a lack of windows, a lack of artificial lighting in the room, dark decor, or a combination thereof.

While dark rooms aren't as easy as light-filled rooms to photograph, getting a good exposure can sometimes be possible by turning on all available lights, dialing in a smaller f-number (i.e., moving from f/8 to f/3.5) or increasing the ISO (i.e., moving from ISO 200 to ISO 400) while shooting in aperture priority mode.

^{Photo by asbe via iStock}

By far the biggest challenge you'll face when photographing real estate interiors is the wide dynamic range that results from photographing a dark room with very bright windows.

Even the most expensive cameras on the market today have their limits when it comes to how much dynamic range (the range of light and dark light values) they can handle.

What you'll find is that if you expose the image for the dark interior, the scenery in the windows becomes wildly overexposed. But if you expose for the brightness of the windows, the opposite occurs - the room becomes extremely underexposed.

The key to managing this wide dynamic range is to bracket your exposures.

^{This image shows how a dark interior with bright windows presents a challenge for getting a well-exposed photo.}

Bracketing exposures means taking several photos of the room, each at a different exposure level.

For example, if you were photographing the room shown above, you would focus the camera on an area that's not too dark or too bright (i.e., the tabletop area).

Then, look at the shutter speed that the camera has chosen (you should be in aperture priority mode at this point, that way the camera selects an appropriate shutter speed).

Next, note the shutter speed, and switch your camera from aperture priority to manual mode. Again, check that the shutter speed has remained the same. If not, switch it back to what you noted a moment ago.

^{This image shows how bracketing multiple exposures and blending them together can help you get interior shots that are well-exposed throughout.}

At this point, set your camera to Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB). If you aren't sure how to do this, consult your camera's owner's manual for instructions.

While in the AEB setup menu, set the exposure increment to +/- 2 EV. If your camera doesn't support a value that high, choose the highest one available.

Then switch your camera to continuous shooting mode, frame the shot as you'd like, ensure that the image is focused properly, and depress the shutter button.

You'll hear multiple shutter clicks which indicates that the bracketed images have been taken.

Now instead of having one image that's either well-exposed for the darker areas or well-exposed for the brighter areas in the room, you have multiple images you can blend together to get one well-exposed image throughout.

For a tutorial on merging bracketed exposures, see the video above.

Quick Tip: Bracketing exposures and merging them together not only gets you the best results, but it's also much less time-consuming than setting up artificial lighting.

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Choosing Camera Settings for Real Estate Interiors

^{Photo by Nikada via iStock}

For Rooms That are Not Dark

As noted earlier, your best bet will often be to shoot interior photos in aperture priority mode.

When you begin shooting a room that is not dark (i.e., one that has very little dynamic range), the following camera settings are a good place to start:

• Exposure Mode - Aperture Priority
• Aperture - f/8
• ISO - 400
• Shutter Speed - Determined by Camera
• Focus Mode - Single-Shot Autofocus
• Metering Mode - Matrix

If you find that the image is too dark when you use these settings, adjust the aperture to make it wider (i.e., moving from f/8 to f/7.1) or boost the ISO (i.e., moving from ISO 400 to ISO 800).

If you find that the image is too bright using the settings above, close down the aperture (i.e., to f/11) or reduce the ISO (i.e., to ISO 200).

For Rooms That are Dark

When photographing rooms that are dark and have a wide dynamic range, a different approach is required.

As you can see below, the majority of the camera settings remain the same, except the metering mode, which should be set to Spot:

• Exposure Mode - Aperture Priority
• Aperture - f/8
• ISO - 400
• Shutter Speed - Determined by Camera
• Focus Mode - Single-Shot Autofocus
• Metering Mode - Spot

Additionally, you’ll want to bracket the exposures, as discussed earlier. 

In this specific situation, opt for the maximum number of bracketed exposures your camera allows with 2 EV increments (or the maximum allowed by the camera). Also set the camera to continuous shooting mode.

Following these procedures, the resulting images will show beautiful details throughout the room whether the room is light or dark.

Learn More:

• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo
• Real Estate Photography Tips for Consistently Great Photos

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^{photo byugurhan via iStock}

Many of the real estate photography equipment questions I get are along the lines of what are the best focal lengths for real estate or which lenses are the best lenses for real estate photography.  

Real estate photography is a wonderful field to work in and can be extremely profitable when done right. The camera and lens choice is an important factor to consider, along with accessories and methods such as post processing.

Real Estate Photography Equipment

^{photo byhikesterson via iStock}

While you can make real estate images with any type of camera, in order to capture very high quality image files in RAW format and have the ability to change exposure modes and settings as well as lenses, most real estate photography is done with DSLRs or mirrorless cameras in the Full Frame, APS-C, and MFT formats. 

Lenses for real estate photography are chosen in order to maximize the view of the spaces being sold so they lean toward wide angle lenses. Lighting is an option that requires some careful thought since we generally don’t want to add a lot of contrast into the images but rather have a lot of balance from bright to shadow areas.

A tripod or some form of steady camera mount is a necessity as well, especially if we’re using the bracket and merge technique to craft the best photos for the purpose of moving real estate. (Here’s a YouTube video explaining the technique.)

Best Lens for Real Estate Photography

^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

Finding the best lens for real estate photography is an important exercise since good lenses aren’t necessarily cheap. We want the best lens we can afford, but what makes any one lens the best choice?  

For imaging architecture indoors or outdoors, field of view, also known as angle of view, is important to think about. As we’ve discussed in numerous other articles, a “normal” lens for whatever format you’re using will create an image with a field of view that appears unmagnified and well, normal, as in a unaffected perspective.

A telephoto lens narrows the field of view and brings objects optically closer. It also flattens perspective from a normal view in that objects in the field of view appear to have less distance between them. We can take advantage of this aspect for artistic views of architecture but it usually isn’t picked first for real estate images.

^{photo byPC Photography via iStock}

A normal lens, such as the Nifty Fifty for Full Frame format, is often compact, has a fast maximum aperture, and can be seriously sharp. These are often among the most price friendly in a lens line, too. Since we’re usually wanting enough depth of field or depth of focus to have all parts of a room or exterior view in focus, the aperture or f-stop being fast normally isn’t a prime concern since we’ll be stopping down aperture.

Which brings us to wide-angle lenses. A wide lens encompasses more of the scene than the normal field of view, and tends to deepen the perspective, so things can appear to be further from each other in the frame.  All other things being equal, a wide lens provides deeper depth of focus than a normal lens.

Learn More:

• 5 Tips for Gorgeous Real Estate Photos
• Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips

What to Watch For

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Since it appears that we’re definitely leaning toward wide-angle lenses as the best focal lengths for real estate photography, perhaps we should simply pick up the widest lens our budget and camera type allows.

Well, there are some issues with that thought. One is that apparent perspective we talked about. If we shoot with an extremely wide field of view lens, the apparent perspective of real estate images will look odd.

Another issue is distortion. Some distortion is present in all lenses, but it tends to be especially problematic in extremely wide-angle lenses. The most common type of distortion in wide-angle lenses will cause straight lines to appear curved. 

We definitely don’t want the walls, countertops, doors or floor tile to be distorted, so any wide lens choice we make will need to be corrected for a rectilinear view. So, wide, but not too wide is what we’ve narrowed down.

Wide Zoom Lenses

Thankfully, we have some awesome  choices in wide-angle zoom lenses for all three common formats that are sharp, have a decent maximum aperture, are corrected very well to avoid distortion, and aren’t likely to bust a budget. Let’s look at a small sample of the available choices. Feel free to adjust for your budget and preferred brands.

If you’re shooting a Full Frame Nikon, the Nikon AF-S FX 16-35mm f/4.0G  lens has the best focal lengths for real estate photography for many Full Frame shooters. APS-C cameras in several mounts can use the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di-IIlens, this one in Canon mount, is a good choice. An awesome lens for MFT users is the Leica DG 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0 Vario-Elmaritlens available from Panasonic.

What’s Your Lens?

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There is a high quality wide-angle zoom lens for your camera type and brand that will offer the same benefits as these examples for your own version of the best focal lengths for real estate photography. Remember to look for reviews of current equipment, useful tips, and explanations of methods on PhotographyTalk.com to decide just what is best for you.

Learn More:

• Common Types of Real Estate Photography
• Full Frame vs Crop Sensor Cameras for Real Estate Photography

 

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^{Image Credit: KenWiedemann via iStock}

Like any other type of photography, real estate photography requires that you have the right lenses for the job.

The question, of course, is what lenses are best for shooting real estate? 

What follows is a guide to get you started. Though this isn’t a comprehensive overview of every lens you could use for photographing the interior and exterior of properties, there are some critical points to consider when purchasing a lens.

You may very well find a lens that works for your purposes that doesn’t fit into the categories we’ve listed below, and that’s okay! 

The key is to utilize this guide as a starting point for getting the best lenses for the job.

Zoom Lenses or Primes?

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One of the first questions to consider when shopping for a new lens is whether you should purchase a zoom or a prime.

What many real estate photographers will tell you is that having the versatility of a zoom lens is advantageous because each property (and each room) you photograph is different with varying amounts of room to maneuver. 

That is, while a 18mm f/4 prime lens might offer excellent optics, superb sharpness, and be lightweight with a small form factor - all great qualities for real estate photography - at some properties, you might need a wider lens to capture the space in a small room. Likewise, other properties might necessitate a longer focal length like 35mm to get the best shot.

Naturally, with a prime lens, you’re locked into one focal length, and while you can “zoom with your feet” to alter the perspective of the shot, there’s only so much you can do to make a prime lens work for each and every room. 

For that reason, it’s typically recommended that real estate photographers utilize a zoom lens. More specifically, wide-angle zoom lenses are the most popular.

Wide-Angle Lenses are Ideal for Real Estate Interiors

^{Image Credit: asbe via iStock} 

There are many, many wide-angle lenses on the market today that offer great performance for real estate photography.

But when choosing a wide-angle lens, there are two factors in particular that should be taken into account: focal length and aperture.

Getting a wide-angle lens that’s too wide - say, 10mm - will result in interior shots that have too much foreground and not enough background. As a result, many real estate photographers opt to shoot in the 22-24mm range (which is about 14-16mm on a crop sensor camera), though anything in the 12-35mm range on a full frame camera will work just fine. 

This focal range offers an ideal view of interior spaces and will allow you to “get out of the corners” and compose shots from vantage points other than the corner of the room (as shown above). This, in turn, allows you to create a collection of images that offers more varied and unique views of each room in the home.

When selecting a lens for real estate photography, it might be tempting to buy the fastest lens you can afford.

And while having a 24mm f/1.2 lens is great, for taking real estate interiors, that large of an aperture isn’t necessary.

Since you’ll want everything in the shot from front to back to be in sharp focus, you’ll likely never need to shoot wide-open anyway. Most of the time, you’ll want to shoot interior spaces in the lens’s sweet spot, which is usually in the f/8-f/11 range.

That’s great news because instead of spending a ton of money on a f/1.2 lens, you can opt for a much cheaper f/4 lens and still get fantastic results.

 

Recommended Wide-Angle Lenses for Real Estate Photography

Whether you’re a Canon, Nikon, or Sony shooter, there are plenty of wide-angle options from which to choose. Here’s just a few excellent options:

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

As an L-series lens, this Canon EF 17-40mm offers upgraded optics that provide improved sharpness, clarity, and reduced aberrations. The 17-40mm focal range is perfect for interior shots and exterior shots as well. On a crop sensor camera, this lens still offers good wide-angle views, with an effective focal length of about 27-64mm. 

Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED

For Nikon shooters, this lens ticks all the boxes. It offers the versatility of a zoom lens that covers the ideal focal length for interior shots, has an f/4 aperture that’s plenty big for interior photos, and has vibration reduction to help you get tack-sharp photos. If you have a crop sensor camera, the effective focal length of 24-53mm still offers you a wide-angle view on the lower end of the zoom range. 

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4G

Built specifically for Sony E-mount full frame cameras, this 12-24mm f/4 lens offers an ultra-wide 12mm focal length that might come in handy for photographing large spaces in the commercial real estate realm. However, with a zoom range to 24mm, it offers the functionality you need for photographing all types of real estate interiors and exteriors. 

Each of these lenses offer excellent transmission, minimal vignetting and distortion, and good sharpness throughout their focal range. That kind of performance is a must-have for any real estate photography lens.

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Specialty Lenses for Real Estate Photography

^{Image Credit: Frankhuang via iStock}

One of the most important aspects of photographing real estate is ensuring that vertical lines are actually vertical - something that’s difficult to do when shooting at very short focal lengths. 

As a result, some photographers have turned to using tilt-shift lenses, which allow you to alter how the image is cast on the sensor in order to keep vertical lines straight while capturing the shot with the desired composition.

However, there are programs you can use in post-processing to correct wonky lines (among other common problems). These programs are far less expensive than a tilt-shift lens, and far more usable, too, given that tilt-shift lenses are so specialized. 

That being the case, I would not recommend investing in a tilt-shift lens and instead focusing your spending on getting a high-quality wide-angle zoom lens.

Final Thoughts

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When it comes to photography gear, the lens you use is far more important for image quality than the camera you use. 

That being the case, it’s prudent to do your due diligence, consider the factors for lens selection outlined in this article, and purchase a lens that offers you the best performance for the dollar. 

As noted earlier, there are plenty of excellent lenses available for real estate photography. But if you focus on the wide-angle zoom market and choose from lenses that have excellent sharpness, reduced aberrations, and good light transmission, you’ll be well on your way to having the best lens for shooting real estate.

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^{photo byAnchiy via iStock}

Starting a business is a process that takes time, a lot of planning, and a commitment to learning and growing as a businessperson.

In that regard, building a real estate photography business is about much more than being able to create beautiful photos. Instead, you have to develop a solid business acumen if you are going to find success in the long-term.

In this guide, we address two critical steps you need to take to get your real estate photography business off the ground and running - developing a business plan and selecting an appropriate business structure.

Getting Started With a Real Estate Photography Business: Develop a Business Plan

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The first crucial step you need to take when building a real estate photography business is to develop a business plan.

Think of a business plan as your road map to success - it should outline each aspect of starting the business and establishing it on sound footing.

Not only is a business plan important for getting you organized and focused on primary goals, but it can also help you get funding for your venture or bring partners into the fold. As such, you want to develop a business plan that is extremely detailed. A business plan might include:

• An executive summary, in which you briefly outline what your business will be.
• A company description, in which you determine specific details about the business - your target market, the services you will provide, suggested pricing for your services, and the company name, to name a few.
• A market analysis that explores the outlook for real estate photography in your area. Note any competitors you will have, explain what products and services they offer, and list the ways in which your business will be able to improve upon those services to fill a void in the market.
• An exploration of the organization of the company. This is where you explain how the company will be structured (more on that below) and who will be in charge of the company’s day-to-day affairs.
• An outline of your proposed products and services.
• An overview of your marketing strategy in which you explain how you will attract and retain clients.
• A summary of financial projections that explores your ability to turn a profit over the next five years.

Creating a business plan might not be something you feel comfortable doing, and that’s okay. There are numerous resources upon which you can rely, including this handy guide from the Small Business Administration.

Likewise, the video above by Young Entrepreneurs Forum offers an excellent guide for organizing your thoughts and getting your business plan developed.

Learn More:

• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography 
• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo 

Determine the Business Structure 

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As noted above, one of the aspects that should be included in your business plan is a discussion of the proposed business structure.

How you structure your business is important not only for organizational purposes, but it also influences things like taxes and income reporting, depending on the type of structure you determine is best for your needs.

Below is a summary of different structures you might consider for your real estate photography business:

Sole Proprietorship

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You, and you alone, are in charge of your business.

This business structure is the easiest to set up because it doesn’t produce a separate business entity. Instead, your business and personal assets and liabilities are not distinguished from one another.

While sole proprietorships are easiest to form, because there is no disconnect between your business and personal finances, you will be personally liable for any business debts. 

For example, if one of your light stands falls on a guest at a wedding and they sue you for medical expenses, your personal assets could be seized to pay the judgement against you.

Partnership

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A partnership is formed when two or more people are involved in the business.

In a limited partnership (LP), one partner - called a general partner - does not have limited liability while the other partners do. Income is passed to each partner’s personal income taxes, while the general partner must also pay self-employment tax. 

In a limited liability partnership (LLP), each owner has limited liability and therefore each owner is protected from debts related to the business.

Limited Liability Company (LLC)

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An LLC protects you from personal liability for the most part. For example, your major assets like your home and savings accounts cannot be taken in the event of bankruptcy or a lawsuit.

Another feature of LLCs is that profits are not subject to corporate taxes. Instead, profits (and losses) are passed to your personal income. On the downside, self-employment taxes are required as each member of the LLC is considered to be self-employed.

C Corporation

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Another option for structuring your real estate photography business is a C corporation.

Corporations of all types are separate from the people that own them, therefore they offer the most protection to you from personal liability. Corporations can make profits and losses, pay taxes, and can also be held liable in legal matters, again, all separate from the owners. 

The downside of forming a corporation is that it can be both expensive and time-consuming, especially compared to the other options listed above. They require highly detailed record keeping and reporting as well. 

Another potential issue is that unlike the structures outlined above, corporations must pay income taxes on profits. In fact, in some instances, profits from a corporation might be taxed twice, first on the company’s profits and second when dividends are paid to company shareholders.

S Corporation

 ^{photo by Jirapong Manustrong via iStock}

An S corporation differs from a C corporation in one significant way: it avoids the double taxation described above.

Instead, S corporations are designed to pass profits (as well as some losses) directly to the personal income of the owners. This avoids corporate taxes.

There are limits on S corporations as well. For instance, they can’t have over 100 shareholders, which, for a real estate photography business, is likely not an issue. Furthermore, all S corporation shareholders must be U.S. citizens.

A potential complication is that if you live in the United States, S corporations are taxed differently depending on the state in which you live and work. This means you not only have to register your S corporation with the IRS and with your state, but if you move, you might need to do it all over again to meet your new state’s criteria.

If you don’t have formal business training, all of these different types of business structures can be a little confusing at first.

To help clarify things, the video above by FitSmallBusiness discusses the primary business structures outlined above and provides pros and cons of each type of business. 

Likewise, the Small Business Administration has an excellent guide that offers deeper insights into common business structures.

Learn More:

• How to Get Started in Real Estate Photography 
• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Camera Bag? 

Final Thoughts - Starting a Real Estate Photography Business  

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As noted in the introduction, if you are to find success in the real estate photography business, you must take the time to develop a solid business plan so you have a detailed road map for getting to where you want to be.

Likewise, exploring the different options for business structures is a crucial step, that way you build your real estate photography business in a way that makes the most sense for your needs.

Remember that these are just two steps in the process of getting started in real estate photography. Be sure to consult our real estate photography section to get more pointers on building a successful real estate photography business.

 

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In an earlier article in this series, I discussed some of the higher-level tasks that need to be accomplished when building a real estate photography business.

That discussion included an examination of what needs to be done to create a solid business plan as well as an exploration of different types of business structures for your photography business. 

This time, we zero in on some smaller, yet equally important tasks you must undertake when starting a real estate photography business: getting permits and licenses, establishing business finances, and getting insurance. 

First Things First: Get Required Permits for Real Estate Photography

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This is a bit of a tricky subject for real estate photographers because the requirements for permits and licenses vary from one city to the next (and from one county, state, province, etc.).

The purpose of having a business permit is twofold: first, to ensure that you’re collecting sales tax and passing those funds to the government, and second, as part of the process of forming an LLC or corporation. 

A business license, on the other hand, is often required by the city in which you work as a means of identifying your business (and keeping you accountable for the manner in which you operate). It’s important to note that if you work in multiple cities, you might be required to have a business permit in each city in which you work.

^{photo by AleksandarNakic via iStock} 

Fortunately, photographers in the United States are not required to have a federal professional license, as photography is not regulated by the federal government. And, in some states, having a professional photography license is not required, either.

Remember that a business license is different from a professional license. A professional license is required for some lines of work (i.e., psychologists) to ensure professional conduct and to demonstrate that workers have met the criteria established by the government to provide competent services.

If your business is in the United States, before you can proceed with obtaining a business permit or license, you’ll need to get an Employer Identification Number (EIN). 

An EIN is used by the Internal Revenue Service for tax purposes. More specifically, an EIN identifies taxpayers that are required to pay certain types of business taxes. Whether you form a sole proprietorship, a partnership, an LLC, or a corporation, you need an EIN.

The process of how to get an EIN is simple: just go to the IRS website, ensure you meet all the requirements, and apply. 

Likewise, if you intend to work as a sole proprietorship, you’ll need something called “Doing Business As,” or a DBA, which you can learn about in the video above by Annette.

A DBA allows you to operate your business under a name that is different from its legal name. For example, if your name is Tim Smith but you want to operate your business under the name Northern Lights Photography, you’ll need a DBA.

The process of getting a DBA varies from one state to the next. In some cases, you might only need to pay a small fee. In other cases, you might need to make legal notices informing the public that you are operating under the DBA. Check with your local government to determine what you need to do to get a DBA. 

Additional resources on starting your business can be found at the Small Business Administration website.

Learn More:

• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography 
• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo 

How to Start a Real Estate Photography Business: Separate Your Finances 

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Once you have all the necessary permits, licenses, and an EIN, it’s time to set up a business bank account.

This is a critically important step, even if you’re operating as a sole proprietor (which makes no legal distinction between you and your business). Keeping your personal finances separate from your business finances is just good practice.

Not only does keeping business and personal finances separate make bookkeeping a much easier task, but it also helps you keep your books in good shape should the IRS come looking. There are other benefits as well, as noted in the video above by 180 Law Co. LLC.

What’s more, if you form an LLC or a corporation, having a separate business bank account is required to get the protections of the limited liability that these types of business structures offer.

All you need to do to start a business bank account is have your DBA information (if you’re a sole proprietor) or your LLC or incorporation documents along with your EIN if you chose to structure your business as an LLC or corporation.

Learn about the specifics of opening a business bank account.

Protect Your Investment With Photography Insurance

^{photo by Pattanaphong Khuankaew via iStock} 

Running a real estate photography business without having insurance is asking for trouble.

Though we all hope that we never need our insurance policies to cover us, it’s better to have them and not need them than to go without and find yourself in a major bind.

When looking for photography insurance, bear in mind that you need different kinds of coverages, including, but not limited to:

• General liability insurance, which covers damages caused by you to your client, their property, or a third party.
• Professional liability insurance, which covers you in the event of errors or omissions. For example, if your memory card fails and you lose all the photos you took of a client’s property, professional liability insurance would protect you against claims for that error.
• Equipment insurance, which, depending on the policy, will ensure you can quickly replace or repair gear in the event of a fire, flood, accidental damage, and so forth. 

More details about types of photography insurance and the benefits of these types of coverages is available from the Professional Photographers of America. 

^{photo by AnaDiana via iStock} 

When you’re just starting out as a real estate photographer, it might seem like an unnecessary expense to pay for insurance, let alone various types of policies.

But, again, you never know when accidents will occur, and being protected with insurance means you can overcome those obstacles and get back to work more quickly. It’s just smart business to be insured!

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography Mistakes You Don’t Want to Make 
• How to Get Started in Real Estate Photography 

 

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Let’s talk business tips for real estate photographers. You already know how to take real estate photos, it’s the real estate photography business tips that we want to spend a little time on for this article. 

Many of the tips for real estate photography businesses are similar to what works for most small businesses. In many ways, photography is a commodity just like selling baked goods or a service similar to being an insurance agent.

Educate the Client

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One of the basics I’ve noticed when discussing photography work with new clients is that many non photographers have somewhat unrealistic expectations of what is delivered and when. This is different from selling fine art photography because real estate photography is a service that supplies a product and not simply a product unto itself.

So, we need to make sure that the client knows what they are receiving as images and the timetable for delivery. Which is why offering real estate photography packages is an excellent idea. Along with describing our packages, it’s also a good idea to list a standard delivery timetable.

One of the other important business tips for real estate photographers that concerns educating our clients is making sure that they know the level of post processing that we will provide. Our standard image clean up and bracket and merge will look fantastic without greatly reworking an image with Photoshop.

Network

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Networking is a fact of life for small businesses that want to grow. As a real estate photographer, it’s beneficial to network with other businesses that are related to or used by real estate businesses.

Just as a wedding photographer would want to network with businesses like caterers or florists, a real estate photographer would network with cleaning services, lawn companies, remodelers, appliance repair, insurance agents, or financial services.

As to exactly how we network with these types of businesses, consider what we might be able to offer them and what we might want for our end of the bargain. Sometimes this may require going beyond real estate photography and maybe offer family portraits or professional headshots as our end.

Learn More:

• How To Get Started In Real Estate Photography
• 5 Tips for Gorgeous Real Estate Photos
  

Simplify the Workflow

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A vital aspect of real estate photography tips for our business concerns our workflow. Having a generalized plan of action for our capturing the images and processing them lets us standardize on a method that will work for us. 

Simplifying workflow can have major implications for us  since doing so will help us create consistency, speed up our delivery, and   hopefully increase our profits. 

One method that I have found to work wonders in these regards is the bracket and merge technique of HDR photography. Here’s a nice video tutorial that helps explain what it is, how to do it, and why it works well for real estate photography. 

You relate this tip to the first of our business tips for real estate photographers to show a new client or a prospective one the type of images you can provide for their listings. Bracket and merge has become a standard method for many real estate photographers and it also works well for other photography we may offer such as product photography or as part of our approach to fine art photography.

Offer Extras

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This concept relates to the business tips for real estate photography concerning pricing, packages, and educating our clients or prospects. Valuable extras in real estate photography might include virtual staging, twilight images, an extra level of post processing, or drone photography.

Virtual staging is done in the computer, adding virtual furniture to a vacant home. The rendering software is relatively simple to learn and has a lot in common with graphic design and interior decorating.

Twilight images make eye-catching beauty shots for a listing, though you do need to be sure to make them worth your while since it will require being on location either early in the morning or late at night. The bracket and merge technique makes this technique possible. 

If you’re comfortable enough with post processing programs like Adobe Photoshop, you might   be able to provide a higher level of processing such as adding clouds or other sky effects, fixing small bare spots in an otherwise perfect lawn, or other small fixes. The caution is to not alter the property so much as it is to subtly enhance the positives. Think of it as Glamour Shots for the houses. 

Ask for Referrals

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How does a business grow organically? By cultivating repeat customers and asking for referrals. As a business owner, we need to get over any lingering shyness we may have about asking for referrals. Actually, real estate professionals are usually very open to the idea since referrals are a huge part of their own business models. 

This might happen without your active participation when you provide superb images, clearly lit, sharp, with straight, even lines. The real estate agents in the same office will likely be wanting the high quality you provide once they see it, but the only way to make sure you get a referral from another professional business person is to simply ask for it.

Other Basics Apply

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Other basic business tips for real estate photographers will apply. Stuff you’re already doing, such as doing a pre-shoot check to ensure a tidy place, having a shooting room guide so you don’t miss anything, ensuring the client knows how the images will be delivered such as by Dropbox or a USB drive and so on.

The most important real estate photography business tips are to treat it as a business, not a hobby, and provide excellent images. Add in these other ideas and you should be able to make your clients very happy. 

Learn More:

• Basic Business Tips for Real Estate Photographers
• Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips

 

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^{Photo by Valeriia Bugaiova on Unsplash}

I worked in the real estate photography space for years before I got my first commercial real estate photography gig, and I was nervous. 

I wrongly imagined that commercial real estate photography would be similar to other real estate photography, just with a bigger paycheck. 

Unfortunately, I had to create a new contract, buy a new lens, and finally contact a lawyer friend to make sure I hadn’t messed anything up along the way. 

When I started my commercial real estate photography career I wish I would have known these things.

Table of Contents

• Types of Commercial Properties
• Commercial Real Estate Photography Paperwork
• How to Market a Commercial Real Estate Photography Business
• Commercial Real Estate Photography With a Drone
• Processing Real Estate Images

Types of Commercial Properties

^{Photo by Orlova Maria on Unsplash}

First things first. You need to understand the different types of commercial real estate photography properties, like:

• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Spas or salons
• Office spaces
• Shops or malls 
• Public spaces

^{Photo by Dane Deaner on Unsplash}

While there are a lot of physical differences between these types of properties, there isn’t very much you need to change in your routine to shoot them, so long as you keep these two things in mind: showcase the amenities and the entrance.

Potential buyers want to know what this space offers them, and their clients, that other spaces don’t, hence the amenities. They also want to get a feel for the space as quickly as possible, which is where the entrance shot comes in. 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Books:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

Commercial Real Estate Photography Paperwork 

 ^{photo by Cytonn Photography via Pexels} 

This is the part of the process that nobody wants to talk about but is most important. 

You are going to need a new contract, a commercial model release, a license for use, and a formal quote.

Let’s start with the formal quote, which will be the first document you use in the commercial real estate photography process. 

You will have already negotiated your pricing before you get to the formal quote because the formal quote will be what your client will show to his or her boss when trying to decide if they want to go with your business. So, it needs to look professional and be worded professionally. 

If you aren’t great with programs like Adobe InDesign, you may want to hire someone to create this contract template for you.

 ^{Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash}

You will also need a commercial model release form, which allows your client to share your images with different members of the press for public relations purposes and should be factored into your overall formal quote since your photos very well may end up being used in national publications. 

Finally, you will need a license for use, which outlines the ways your client may use your photos, and a contract, which should include information about all of these documents combined in one easy to read document.  

Learn More:

• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo
• 3 Real Estate Photography Cameras to Consider for 2020

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How to Market a Commercial Real Estate Photography Business

^{Photo by Christian Lambert on Unsplash} 

Just like with our real estate photography tips list we made, the number one best way to market yourself as a commercial real estate photographer is to make sure your portfolio is perfect.

However, creating the perfect portfolio should never be an endeavor you face alone because it’s important to get second and third opinions from friends and strangers alike.

Who is your target audience for your portfolio? Do you have enough photographs to break your portfolio down into a few separate portfolios, like a portfolio for hotels and a portfolio for office spaces?

Your portfolio should highlight the ways your photography is unique.

^{Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash} 

Additionally, if you’re serious about commercial real estate photography you will want to start investing your time online.  

You will need a simple, intuitive website that showcases your portfolio and allows clients to contact you, hopefully from multiple pages on the website. You should also include a page where you explain your business and another page where you give some background about yourself.

Your blog should also be housed on your website so that you can draw more people to your website, but in order for this marketing tactic to work, you must be writing a new blog around three times every week to build a readership base. 

 ^{Photo by Evangeline Shaw on Unsplash}

Finally, you will want to start networking with professionals in your area, and if you don’t already happen to know anyone in the commercial real estate space then you can join one of the tens of thousands of real estate networking groups in the world.  

Bonus tip: If you’re serious about learning how to market your commercial real estate photography business, you need to do more than read a few articles about it. Real Estate Photographer Pro is an online group of professional photographers who have already learned all of these tips before and can walk you through it.  

There’s no point in reinventing the wheel, and nobody understands that like Real Estate Photographer Pro. They have easy to understand videos on all types of marketing, videos on editing, and a Facebook group where you can ask any question you have! 

You can also take part in weekly Q&A sessions and learn even more tips and tricks for honing your real estate photography skills. It’s simply a great way to connect, learn, and network !

Commercial Real Estate Photography With a Drone

^{Photo by Paolo Nicolello on Unsplash} 

If you’re just entering the commercial real estate photography industry, and I’m assuming you are since you’re reading a 100-level article about the industry, get yourself a drone and learn how to use it.

No other subsection of photography has embraced drone photography like commercial real estate photography has. 

Let’s face it, most commercial buildings are just too small to capture from the ground.

^{Photo by Caleb Semeri on Unsplash} 

You’ll need to do a few things before you set out for your first drone shoot, though. First, you’ll need to ensure you can make it out to the property on a day and time where the weather will be clear because it would suck to get there and be unable to send up your drone. 

You’ll also want to plan the exact shots you want, since camera drones have very limited flight times. 

If you’re looking for a recommendation of a great drone that will last you the course of your career, DJI’s Mavic 2 Pro Drone is perfect for you.

This drone features a 20MP Hasselblad camera that shoots 4K video, can handle low light shooting, and can be up in the air for up to 31 minutes at a time, which will give you plenty of time to capture all the footage your clients need.  

It’s an investment at $1,729, but what would you expect of a camera drone that can transmit full HD video at distances of up to 5 miles? It’s an impressive price for an impressive camera that is sure to impress your clients. 

Learn More:

• Selecting the Right Drone for Your Photo and Video Needs
• Drone Photography Tip: Understanding FAA Rules and Regulations

Processing Real Estate Images

^{Photo by Zakaria Zayane on Unsplash} 

Whether you take photos of commercial properties from the ground or the air, you’ll need to process those images for maximum impact.

One of my favorite real estate-specific processing programs is Photomatix.

It works as a standalone program or as a plugin for Lightroom (or Capture One, if that’s your program of choice).

It comes with 6 HDR styles, over 70 HDR settings, and 40 HDR presets, all of which enable you to create beautifully exposed images of commercial properties inside and out.

There’s even a batch processing feature to speed up the process and a variety of tools - like advanced ghost removal - that help you clean up your images and put the best foot forward for each commercial property you photograph.

Processing your images is not an option here - it’s a must if you want to impress potential buyers!

Learn More:

• Basic Business Tips for Real Estate Photographers
• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography

 

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^{photo byKentWeakley  via iStock}

In commercial real estate photography, how to photograph hotels and how to photograph businesses in general, are important skills to have in our virtual tool bag. 

 Selling or leasing commercial properties is only one part of the potential photography jobs involving businesses that we can tap into as professional photographers. In our continuing series of photography tips for commercial properties, we’ll examine some helpful hotel photography tips along with basic interior photography tips.

Bracket and Merge - Inside and Out

^{photo bydim0n via iStock}

Motel and hotel photography is a specialty niche of commercial property photography, which is already a specialty niche of real estate photography. You will be well prepared to offer some of the specialty services involved in hotel photography if you have already been shooting real estate listing images for a while.

 Standard procedures of commercial real estate photography are very similar to residential realty work. For instance, capturing images that involve a large range of exposure values by means of HDR (high dynamic range) photography is the same whether in a small house on Oak Street or in a 5 star hotel downtown on Main.

Bracket and merge speeds up the overall workflow of real estate imaging, though it does require a little bit of extra time while shooting. That extra time for capturing a series of shots, though, pales in comparison to the time spent attempting to balance on camera or light stand mounted flash or LED lights in each different room.

HDR is usable for interior views and exterior shots in commercial real estate photography. Many areas outside will be full of different lighting levels, some things in full sunlight, some things lit by skylight, and other parts of the image view are in deep shadow. Plus, bracket and merge HDR allows for some specialty beauty shots we’ll  detail below.

Here is a great tutorial of the Bracket and Merge method and we also found an excellent YouTube video on using HDR in real estate photography.

Have a Shot List

^{photo byWorawut Prasuwan via iStock}

Among the more vital elements of how to photograph hotels is to have a very specific shot list. A predetermined list of what areas to shoot is important in all real estate photography, but hotel photography has a very specific need concerning this.

The concern in motel and hotel photography is making sure all of the different room types are captured. Also, amenities and any special features require photos. Some chains actually have their own standards of what’s expected, so ask about any published guidelines they can send you. 

Compliance to corporate standards  is essential for completing the job in a way that the client can use and for you to get paid. In several of the corporate standards I've seen, HDR photography is expected, and they will even tell you how many shots and the stops of difference to use for bracket and merge HDR.

Learn More:

• 4 Reasons Why Good Real Estate Photography Is Worth It
• How To Edit Real Estate Photos
• 5 Tips for Gorgeous Real Estate Photos

Speed Up the Workflow Onsite

^{photo byInfografx via iStock}

If a sign off sheet is included in the corporate standards you’re given, have a couple of copies on hand as you shoot. One will be your worksheet, the other will be what you end up delivering with the images after processing. 

This is how you can speed up your workflow while onsite without losing any required images. It’s a terrible waste of time for you and the client if you have to go back to gather missed shots. That signed off shot list is a good protection for you, too, since you often can’t charge any more fees if the missed photos are your fault. If they neglected to include something, charge accordingly and always be professional in demeanor and tone of voice. 

That shot list is what you use to know what rooms and areas to include. A representation of each different room type is normally included. So if the hotel has a king room and also a king suite with extra furniture or areas, those are two different room types to shoot. The amenities are important as well. Swimming pools, breakfast buffets, fitness centers, and business accommodations all need images.

The hotels have their own labels for these room types, so it’s a good practice to list the room type code along with the room number on the shot list. Including blank frames between rooms or areas also eases the workflow, alternatively you could use a dry erase board, changing room types and numbers between areas and shooting the board before each room type. 

If I seem to be going on a lot about these workflow ideas and shot list protocols, it’s because I’ve learned by the example of others and from some early mistakes I made that these are vital issues to take care of when learning how to photograph hotels and businesses. 

If you have to stay an extra hour onsite to ensure you’ve captured what the business wants, that’s time well spent. Finding out you missed an important area is a workflow killer when you notice it during post processing and you could lose a client if you deliver the job and they have to point it out to you afterwards.

Drones and Panoramas Add Value

^{photo bybingfengwu via iStock}

Added value is how you set yourself apart from other photographers competing for these same gigs. Two wonderful added packages for commercial real estate photography are drone views and panoramas, especially the interactive virtual tour style of spherical panoramic imaging.

Offering drone images will require you to have a drone license in the USA, regardless of the size drone you use. That’s because it falls under those same laws of commercial flight registration and safety. Other countries have similar requirements, just look it up online if you’re not sure. We also have several drone articles here on PhotographyTalk covering drone photography tips. 

As an alternative to using a drone, an extension pole and a wireless remote can othen give you enough height for similar views. Be careful when using a 16 to 30 foot extension pole and your valuable camera and lens. Your commercial insurance may cover the equipment costs, but it still stinks to hear your camera crash into the pavement.

Spherical panoramas are quickly becoming a standard addition to commercial real estate photography packages. In the hotel industry, they are an important marketing tool for these businesses. Other businesses are adding these features to their online presence as well. 

The spherical panorama interactive tour is an amazing function for business web pages. It allows viewers of the website to see certain areas and views in 360 degrees. I like to describe it as a version of Google Street View that goes inside the business or hotel. 

As with drone photography, in order to offer this specialty package, you will be required to use some specialty equipment. A high quality fisheye lens, a nodal panorama mount, and a heavy duty tripod are the gear necessary for capturing the panorama. 

Stitching software is how you then create the interactive panorama. Most hotels require that the panoramic RAW images be captured with the HDR bracket and merger method. Using a detailed sign off sheet will help you keep everything organized.

Golden Hour, Blue Hour, Twilight Beauty Shots

^{photo bymustafagull via iStock}

As with residential real estate photography, having the know-how to photograph hotels often means being able to provide a stunning beauty shot, also called the hero shot. Printed flyers or brochures will have this beauty shot as the cover image, online sites will use this for the opening image.

Bracket and merge HDR will help you here, too, since the dynamic range from shadow to highlight detail is usually extremely high when shooting in Golden Hour, Blue Hour, or during twilight. Blue Hour basically covers twilight time periods, but some photographers like to separate the terms for their hero shots.

Oftentimes, the perfect twilight beauty shot is in the early morning, though it really does matter what direction the building faces. I’ve found that being able to stay overnight for the commercial real estate photography shoot is an excellent way to have a nice variety of Golden Hour and Blue Hour images from both twilight periods to choose from for the beauty shot. 

While there is a lot of competition for clients at this level of commercial real estate photography, using your skills as a photographer and as a businessperson should give you the added value these clients are wanting. 

Learn More:

• Drone Tips for Real Estate Photographers
• How To Increase Your Profits As a Real Estate Photographer
• Commercial Real Estate Photography 101

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^{Photo by Joshua Ness on Unsplash}

Like any other kind of photography, there are many mistakes that can trip you up in your endeavor to capture high-quality real estate photos. 

From color temperatures that shift from one room to the next to forgetting to give your clients a to-do list to prepare the home before you arrive, you need to be aware of common real estate photography mistakes, that way you maximize your time and minimize the need for reshoots.

In this quick guide, you’ll learn about five mistakes to avoid at all costs. Let’s get started!

Forgetting to Tell Your Client How to Prep for Your Shoot

 

^{Photo by Jason Abdilla on Unsplash}

Selling a home is a stressful event, to be sure. As such, many homeowners are distracted by the big picture element of selling the home and forget other details, like your photos, that can make the sale a reality.

Not every homeowner understands what needs to be done to create the best-looking shots, so assuming that they do is a big mistake on your part.

Just like a wedding photographer has a shot list they create with their clients, you need to create some kind of guideline for your sellers before you take a single photo of their property.

^{Photo by Jens Lindner on Unsplash} 

Reminders for the little things are often the most important as they can be easily overlooked. That is, most homeowners remember to clean the kitchen counters and make the bathrooms sparkle, but they might not remember to clean the windows to remove streaks and dirt or to iron the bedsheets so they aren’t all crumpled up.

It’s better to go into a real estate photo shoot thinking that the homeowner needs detailed reminders for preparing the property rather than thinking they already know what they’re doing!

Quick Tip: Provide homeowners with reminders to tidy up both interior and exterior spaces. Their Realtor should also provide home staging tips, and together, these to-dos and reminders will be a good start in prepping the property for marketing. 

Including Crooked Lines

^{Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash} 

Take a quick look at the above photo. Notice anything odd? 

The vertical lines of the walls aren’t quite vertical, and it makes the room look off-balanced. 

If the photographer of the photo above had looked up “beginner real estate photography tips” beforehand, then they would have known that with a quick shifting of their feet and leveling the camera, these distracting lines could be mitigated. 

While you can fix this problem by changing your shooting position and the position of the camera, you can also easily correct crooked lines and perspective issues in post-processing. Either way, it’s a simple task, yet one that can have a profound, positive impact on your real estate photos.

Learn More:

• How to Photograph Real Estate With a Smartphone 
• How to Photograph Exterior Elements 

Being Too Shy to Ask for a Property Release 

^{Photo by Thomas Drouault on Unsplash} 

I go into every single contract with this mentality: I’m going to shoot the best shot of my career at this house. 

And, if I’m going to shoot the best shot of my career, I’m going to want to show it off at some point.  

But, I won’t be able to unless I have a property release. So, I make it a habit of getting a property release for every house, unless the owners have a really good reason not to sign it (i.e., someone prominent lives there). 

I just send it along with the rest of my paperwork to make it seem like less of a hassle. If you’re my client you get my contract, my property release, and my invoice in the same email chain. 

Beginner real estate photography tips lists always forget to go over the property release, which is a shame because it’s such an important part of being able to grow your real estate photography business. 

Quick Tip: You don’t have to create a brand-new property release form on your own, as there are many excellent templates out there you can use for free.

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Having Photos With Different Color Temperatures

^{Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash} 

It’s just a given that some rooms in a home are going to have warm light while others have cool light.

What’s important is that you strive to create a consistent color temperature across all the photos, that way the images feel like a cohesive set.

Adjusting the color temperature of images in post-processing is quick and simple, but there are things you can do when shooting the photos that will help too.

^{Photo by Francesca Tosolini on Unsplash} 

Primarily, you can rely on natural sunlight (more on that in a minute) rather than using artificial lights.

By turning off artificial lights when at all possible (as was done in the image above), you can avoid the color casts of light bulbs and instead get more consistent lighting coloration in each room.

Learn More:

• Basic Business Tips for Real Estate Photographers 
• How to Market Yourself as a Real Estate Photographer 

Not Using Sunlight to Your Advantage 

^{Photo by Sven Brandsma on Unsplash} 

As noted above, using natural light rather than artificial light for interior photos will make the task of getting a consistent look throughout your photos a much easier task.

Besides, natural light flooding into a room gives it a brightness and lightness that’s difficult to pull off when using artificial light sources. 

The primary difficulty with using natural light is that windows and doors are much brighter than the rest of the room.

Fortunately, this issue can be easily overcome using the bracket and merge technique outlined in the video below. 

As the video demonstrates, bracketing exposures allows you to capture highlights, midtones, and shadows in great detail, and merging them together gets you a final composite image that’s well-exposed throughout.

The sample images in the video show just how valuable this technique is in creating the most impactful real estate photos. After all, there is only one chance for you to help make a property give a good impression, and with this technique, that good impression is much more likely to occur!

 

 

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^{Photo by Evelyn Paris on Unsplash}

The list of what not to do in real estate photos is long. Real estate photography is more methodical than almost every other photography niche, and it shows when someone is new to the sport.

As a follow up to last week’s article on real estate photography mistakes, I bring you part two. 

Not Asking for Feedback From the Market

^{Photo by Kobu Agency on Unsplash} 

Feedback from the market comes in two forms: direct feedback from your client and feedback from other professionals, including other real estate photographers and real estate agents.

I created a standard email that I copy and paste to each client after I finish working with them that asks for feedback.

I ask them to rate things like my communication and the finished product, and I leave some space for general comments. I want to know if one of my clients was expecting something I didn’t or couldn’t deliver. 

You should also be listening to feedback from the property listing agent. While they might not have the photography background that you do, they most certainly have a good understanding of what works and what doesn’t from a marketing standpoint.

Quick Tip: Engage with other real estate photographers to get feedback on your work as well. While you might be in competition with these people for local jobs, the photography community is a welcoming and supportive one. You’ll often find that if you ask for guidance from a more experienced photographer that you’ll get a constructive response in return.

Using Direct Flash

^{Photo by Awed Creative on Unsplash} 

This is a real estate photography mistake that I see way too frequently...

While it might be tempting to set up flashes in a room like the one above, in which there is virtually no natural light at all, there is a better alternative.

 Since artificial light can be so harsh and distracting, a better option is to bracket your exposures and merge them together.

 This technique works great for all kinds of rooms, but particularly those in which there are bright windows. Since bracketing exposures gets you images that are exposed for the highlights, shadows, and midtones in a room, the final composite image is well-exposed throughout, revealing all the details of the space.

^{photo by alabn via iStock} 

However, it can also work for dim rooms with little natural light. Just turn on overhead lights and lamps to illuminate the room, bracket the exposures as you normally would, and merge them together in post-processing.

As I noted in the first part of this two-part series, keeping an eye on the color temperature is absolutely critical. This is particularly important when you have to turn on artificial lights to illuminate a dark room because incandescent lighting has a much warmer color temperature than natural light.

Learn More:

• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Interiors 
• Real Estate Photography Tips for Consistently Great Photos 

Editing Photos Individually 

^{Photo by Domenico Loia on Unsplash} 

Not only is individually editing your photos a huge waste of time, but it also isn’t what your clients want.

Think of real estate photography more like Instagram than any other type of photography. You want your personal brand to be the same across the board on Instagram the same way you want your house to look the same in each room.

This is where presets come in. 

The next time you edit real estate photos, make sure you save them as presets. Better yet, don’t edit each one of those photos the next time you’re editing, but edit the first one, select the rest of the shots and use the Sync button to copy those edits across the board.

 Quick Tip: Alternatively, you can use a Lightroom plugin like this one to batch edit HDR images quickly and easily.

Not Adhering to a Shot List

^{Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash}

Beginner real estate photography tips will only get you so far in almost every case, but using a shot list is the one beginner real estate photography tip you need to remember.

If you’re going to make the most efficient use of your time, and you have to if you’re going into real estate photography, you need to keep a shot list with you in your car.

 Most homes are not so unique that you will need to change this shot list very much. Plus, you can always change it if you realize you forgot something or the homes in your part of the world are a little different than anywhere else. 

 A shot list allows you to get in, get out and get the exact right photos you need in the process. 

Learn More:

• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Camera Bag? 
• How to Get Started in Real Estate Photography 

Shooting with Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses 

^{Photo by Kenny Timmer on Unsplash} 

There’s no reason to shoot real estate with a lens wider than 16mm. 

While architecture photographers frequently use ultra-wide angle lenses, or fisheye lenses, this does not apply to real estate.

It will distort sizing of objects in your photos and your clients will not use them to list their house.

Plus, we talked about straightening lines in last week’s common real estate photography mistakes list. While using lens profiles will “de-fish” ultra-wide-angle lenses, they can be difficult to work with unless you really know the lens.

Instead, rely on traditional wide-angle lenses (i.e., a 24mm prime) or even zoom lenses (i.e., 24-70mm) for the bulk of your work.

If you follow these quick tips, you’ll be able to minimize your mistakes and create images that help get properties sold!

 

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^{photo by Feverpitched via iStock}

Real estate photography is big business all around the world. If you want to try providing it in your business model, you should know the most common types of real estate photography. What are they? Should you offer one or more of these types? 

In its most common types, real estate photography includes residential real estate photography, commercial real estate photography, drone-based real estate photography, architectural photography, interior photography, and interactive spherical video tours. There is some overlap among the common types, real estate photography businesses can cover several at once.

Residential Real Estate Photography

^{photo byake1150sb via iStock}

Residential real estate photography is the most common type of real estate photography, making up more than half of all real estate images. Most of these images will go on the internet in listings run by co-ops of realty brokers known as MLS or Multiple Listing Services. 

Depending on your location, location, location, an MLS may have dozens or hundreds of listings of homes for sale at any given time. One of the things that makes a property stand out in an MLS is high quality photography. 

While some photographers may use flash units or video lights, a natural view with detail in highlights, midtones, and shadows can be achieved by bracketing and merging exposures, also known as HDR or high dynamic range photography. Some of the methods for this and why HDR works so well in residential real estate photography are explained in this YouTube video about merging exposures.

Commercial Real Estate Photography

^{photo bypastorscott via iStock}

Commercial real estate photography is very similar to residential real estate photography, but the properties for sale or lease are business oriented. They could include office parks, strip malls, factories, or individual stores and other types of businesses within a larger structure, such as office space on a floor of a skyscraper.

Most of the same principles and techniques used for residential listings apply to commercial real estate photography, including the techniques of bracketing and merging exposures for natural looking HDR images. Follow this tutorial for merging exposures to learn how much this technique can improve your real estate photography images and simplify your processing workflow.

Drone-Based Real Estate Photography

^{photo byjhorrocks via iStock}

Some of the best new technologies of electronics have been blended together to create easy to control flying drones with digital still and video cameras at reasonable prices. Aerial photography has long been an option for realtors but drones are able to provide lower level intimate property portraits.

A typical drone for advanced photography and videography has wireless control, gimbal mounts, and professional level optics and sensors. All of this together means that a real estate photographer can provide great images of a property from an above ground level point of view. 

While many drones are capable of flying multiple hundreds of feet above the ground, a typical drone real estate image or video will be from 20 to 100 feet up. Without a drone, you could mount a remote controlled camera to the top of a long pole, but a drone gives you many more great options of the types of images and video you can capture.

Learn More:

• Top Drones for Real Estate Photography
• Real Estate Photography Gear List

Architectural Photography

^{photo byxiaoke chen via iStock}

This type of real estate photography is more geared towards those who design and build the structures as opposed to owners attempting to sell or lease a property. An architect seeking new clients or a builder doing the same can use these images to show the scope of their qualifications.

With this style of photography, the details are often as important as the overall view of the property, so the HDR bracket and merge techniques also work well. While we want to portray a realistic picture of what was designed or built, a little bit of an artistic flair can create a positive impact, making their work stand out for someone to investigate their services deeper.

That’s the main difference in this style compared to standard real estate images used to sell a house or commercial property. Instead of focusing on the property, the photographer will highlight the work done by the design and construction teams.

Interior Real Estate Photography

^{photo byalvarez via iStock}

Similar to architectural photography, interior real estate photography deals more with what’s been done to the space rather than to the space itself. Interior designers desire good images to show off what they do to whatever space is provided to them. 

HDR merging is a simple technique to improve interior photos that will benefit the images greatly, since adding furniture and decorations will cause a lot more areas of light and shadow than an empty space will have. Again, we can make use of a bit more artistic flair with this common type of real estate photography, as long as we aren’t being so “artistic” that the images are unrealistic. The tutorial for merging exposures mentioned earlier will help us see the proper balance.

Another major difference with architectural photography and interior real estate photography as compared to the other common types of real estate photography is that these spaces may not be owned by the person seeking the images. So as a photographer, we should make sure we and our clients have permission to make the images and use them.

Interactive Spherical Video Tours

^{photo bymiodrag ignjatovic via iStock}

This is a very specialty niche of real estate photography. It’s most often used by the business occupying the space or the building being imaged. It is generally made with wide angle or fisheye lenses, nodal point panorama mounts, and GUI or other specially designed software. 

A prime potential client for this type of real estate photography could be a hotel, restaurant, healthcare facility, or an entertainment venue. There is a growing market for this type of real estate photography. In essence, you’re providing an in person remote visit of the business.

Though these are referred to as videos, they are actually pieced together from scores or hundreds of images and blended together into a short video or a series of images. The images are interactive in that a viewer can drag their mouse pointer to move the point of view of the panoramic image.

What Real Estate Photography Should You Offer to Clients?

^{photo byPeopleImages via iStock}

The most common types of real estate photography are residential and commercial real estate photography. You might find it more rewarding to offer some of the other types, either as an extra service you can provide or as a specialty niche for your own real estate photography business. Use the real estate photography tips outlined in this guide to help you determine the types of real estate photography you wish to offer.

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography Services You Should Offer
• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos

 

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^{photo by chuckcollier via iStock}

As the saying goes, you only have one chance to make a good first impression.

In real estate, that first impression is often the photos that potential buyers see when they search property listings online.

Given the importance of exterior photos, it’s necessary for you to take steps to ensure your images are of the highest quality and make that all-important first impression a good one.

In this tutorial, we offer a variety of tips that will help you compose eye-catching and engaging exterior photos of real estate.

Be Mindful of the Time of Day

^{photo by hikesterson via iStock}

The time of day you’re shooting might very well determine how you frame the image as well as the shooting position you take when composing the shot.

For example, the image above might have been better suited for a shot in the afternoon or evening, when the sun would be entering the shot from the left side of the image. This would have eliminated all of the shadows that extend into the frame from the mature trees behind the photographer. The result might have been a cleaner shot with fewer shadows to distract the viewer.

As another example, if you’re taking exterior photos in the early morning or late evening, your shadow might stretch into the foreground of the shot.

To mitigate this issue, you might compose a tighter shot by zooming in and eliminating some of the foreground, or you might try switching positions to photograph the property from another angle entirely.

Bear in mind as well that you might need to make multiple trips to a property at different times of day to get the best shots. While the front of the property might look wonderful in the early morning, early afternoon light might be more appealing for photos of the back of the home.

Quick Tip: Photographing properties on cloudy days is sometimes advantageous. The clouds act as a giant diffuser, and the softer light means less harsh shadows cast by architectural elements like eaves and covered porches. Likewise, cloudy days also minimizes the sun’s glare off of the property’s windows.

Learn More:

• Basic Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Exteriors
• What You Need to do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo

Find Unique Angles That Enhance the Property’s Visual Appeal

 ^{photo by alabn via iStock}

 In many cases, the featured image of a property listing is one taken of its exterior from directly in front. However, this is not always the most ideal angle from which to shoot.

When you take an exterior photo from head-on, you often find that the driveway or sidewalk dominates the foreground. And while leading lines are certainly a good thing in many photographs, in this case, you probably want to avoid highlighting concrete or asphalt in your photos.

Instead, try composing images from the front corners of the property, as shown above. Doing so not only highlights the yard space but it also gives the home more depth. This is especially important for homes with a front porch as this angle highlights its depth much more effectively than a head-on shot.

Quick Tip: Vary the height from which you shoot as well. A perspective from below eye level or above eye level might generate a more pleasing photo.

^{photo by YinYang via iStock}

Though the images you take of a property’s exterior should reflect what the property actually looks like, that doesn’t mean that you can’t work to minimize distractions.

That is, work to compose your shots such that things like garbage cans, air conditioning units, gas mains, storage sheds, and other unsightly elements are hidden from view to the extent possible.

For example, if the neighboring property isn’t especially appealing, you can compose a shot in which you fill the frame with the desired property, as shown above.

As another example, if the owner of the home shown above placed their garbage cans on the left side of the home, shooting from the opposite corner would hide them from view. In that regard, minimizing distractions is essentially all about finding the right angles and perspective to keep undesirable elements out of frame.

Quick Tip: Work with the property owner or listing agent to ensure that the property is spotless before you take photos. Walkways and driveways should be clear of leaves, dirt, and other debris. The lawn should be freshly mowed. If there are children that live in the home, toys should be picked up from exterior spaces. Patio and lawn furniture should be clean and neatly arranged as well. 

Learn More:

• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Camera Bag?
• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography

Highlight Unique Features

 ^{photo by ElenaMorgan via iStock}

Not everything about the exterior of a home is featured most effectively in a wide view.

Instead, if the property you’re photographing has unique features - be that architectural elements, interesting materials like stone work, or amenities like a pool or a beautiful garden space - be sure to get in close so prospective buyers can get a better feel for those elements. 

 ^{photo by Django via iStock}

In instances in which a property has a beautiful view, it’s advisable to present that view in context.

That is, as you can see in the image above, this property has a wonderful deck with beautiful landscaping that enhances the view of the ocean. Rather than stepping to the property’s edge and taking a shot of the ocean on its own, a photo from this vantage point offers some context to the view and makes it much more impactful.

Quick Tip: In instances in which there is a lot of dynamic range in the scene, consider bracketing your exposures and merging them in HDR software to retain detail in all elements in the shot.

How to Photograph a Home’s Exterior

^{photo by Solidago via iStock}

Composing exterior photos of homes is all about telling potential buyers a story - while each image should be able to stand on its own, ultimately, you’re creating a collection of images that serve as a tour of the property for a potential buyer.

Of course, telling the best visual story of a property requires a lot of planning and forethought - like cleaning up the property beforehand. Additionally, considering the time of day and lighting will help you get the most pleasing photos of the property’s exterior.

By experimenting with angles, you will not only have more interesting compositions that grab people’s attention, but you can also minimize distractions and mask unsightly features as well. This is also important to remember when composing shots of a home’s unique and interesting features.

If you can do these things, you’ll be much better equipped to create eye-catching photos that make a good first impression.

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^{photo by hikesterson via iStock}

Photographing the interior spaces of a property can be a challenge for a variety of reasons.

In some cases, you might find very difficult lighting conditions in which the room itself is rather dark but the windows are very bright.

In other cases, space might be at a premium, which might force you to get creative with how you take the shot.

In addition to these potential hardships, you also have to think about things like the angle from which you shoot, the eye level, and perspective.

In this real estate photography guide, you'll learn how to address these issues in order to create beautiful interior photos.

Consistent Lighting is Key

 ^{photo by Jennifer_Sharp via iStock}

 A primary challenge for indoor real estate photography is lighting.

It’s important that the lighting in each room is consistent. That is, if you photograph the kitchen with the lights on, you might find that the image has a yellowish color cast due to the color temperature of the light bulbs.

 ^{photo by KatarzynaBialasiewicz via iStock} 

 If you then photograph the living room with no lights on at all and instead rely on natural light, the two images will look disjointed.

To get around this issue, you can either turn all the lights on or off as you photograph each space so you have a consistent color temperature.

Perhaps a better solution is to fix white balance issues in post-processing.

You can fix white balance in Photoshop, Lightroom, and other programs in a matter of moments, and it will give each room in the home that consistent color temperature that’s so important for creating a cohesive collection of images.If you aren’t sure how to correct white balance, consult the video above by Nathan Cool.

Learn More:

• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography
• What You Need to do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo

Bracket Your Exposures to Overcome Difficult Lighting

 ^{photo by MilianEXPO via iStock}

As mentioned earlier, you will often encounter rooms in which there is a very wide dynamic range - the windows will be very bright and the room itself will be very dark.

In this situation, it’s best to bracket the exposures and blend them together to get one well-exposed image throughout.

Doing so is a simple matter of utilizing your camera’s Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) feature to take several images of the room, each at a different exposure level.

Quick Tip: If you’re unfamiliar with bracketing exposures, view our in-depth tutorial on camera settings for interior real estate photography. 

 ^{photo by asbe via iStock}

The advantage of using this technique is that it’s very fast - there’s no need to set up lighting equipment on location. Instead, it takes just a few moments to bracket the exposures, and a few moments again in post-processing to blend the exposures together.

Likewise, this technique is also much more budget-friendly because there’s no need to buy artificial lighting gear in the first place. Instead, you can rely on natural lighting, which often generates a more pleasing look anyway.

Quick Tip:It’s best to use a tripod and a remote shutter release for interior photography. Doing so will minimize camera shake and help you get sharp images.

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Pay Attention to the Height of the Camera and the Shooting Angle

 ^{photo by JamesBrey via iStock}

 In most situations, photographing the interior spaces of a property is best done at a normal eye level.

After all, the point of photographing these spaces is to give potential buyers an idea of what the property looks and feels like, and you can do that most effectively by shooting from an average eye level.

There are exceptions to the rule, however.

For example, if the property you’re photographing has an interesting view from the living room windows, you might need to raise the level of the camera in order to capitalize on the view.

 ^{photo by ShutterWorx via iStock}

 Another thing to bear in mind when taking interior photos is the angle from which you shoot.

Again, it’s best to compose your images with the camera as level as possible, as this will ensure that vertical and horizontal lines in the space appear straight.

If you tilt the camera up or down to a degree that’s too great, those straight lines will appear to be bowed and the room will look off balance.

Learn More:

• Professional Real Estate Photography Kit: What’s in the Camera Bag?
• Real Estate Photography Tips for Consistently Great Photos 

Don’t Take Photos From Just One Spot in the Room

photo by hikesterson via iStock

While it’s important to have consistent lighting, camera height, and angles, it’s also important to vary the positions from which you take photos of each room.

In smaller rooms, this might be a challenge - often the only spot with enough room for your tripod is in the doorway.

 photo by hikesterson via iStock

But to the extent possible, move around the room so you can provide potential buyers with multiple viewpoints.

It’s also important to vary the look in the shots. That is, don’t rely on only wide-angle views.

 photo by hikesterson via iStock

Instead, get some close-up shots of interesting architectural details and features like fireplaces.

Quick Tip: By combining more intimate images of a room’s details with the wider views of the room, you will give potential buyers a more detailed understanding of what the room looks like and feels like.

How to Take High-Quality Interior Photos

When photographing the interior of a home, your job is to help potential buyers envision themselves living in the space. 

To do so, it’s best practice to have consistency between the photos you take in each room, both from a lighting standpoint and a composition standpoint. 

As noted earlier, it’s also important to give potential buyers both micro and macro views - the small details that show off the personality of the home as well as the larger views of entire rooms.

Doing so not only helps you highlight the uniqueness of the property, but it also proves invaluable for helping buyers see themselves in the space. The more they can do that, the more likely they will be to put in an offer.

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^{photo by ucpage via iStock} 

I’ve made my fair share of real estate photography mistakes in my career. We all have.  

While some of these mistakes are mistakes we all need to make in order to learn, there are a good number of real estate photography mistakes I see rookies make all the time that are so cringe-worthy. 

Below, I offer a quick list of some common real estate photography mistakes that you need to avoid at all costs. 

Mistake #1: Catching Flash Shadows in Your Photos

^{photo by Studio Peck LLC via iStock} 

Using a flash for interior real estate photography is a mistake, if you ask me. 

Why?

Well, aside from the expense of buying lighting gear and the time it requires to set it up for each shot, flashes can leave harsh shadows in your photos if you aren’t careful.

A better option is to use natural light, create bracketed exposures, and merge them together.

As you can see in the images above and below, this creates a seamless look without any ugly shadows from a flash.

^{photo by HRAUN via iStock} 

What’s more, merging bracketed exposures gets you a well-exposed image throughout - note how the room itself is beautifully bright and that the detail is retained in the window. 

Without bracketing and merging, you’ll often find that the interior space is dark and the window is well-exposed or the window is completely blown-out and the room is well-exposed.

So, by using this technique, you avoid all kinds of problems, not just ugly flash shadows! 

Mistake #2: Not Learning the Necessary Business Skills

^{Photo by zeljkosantrac via iStock}

It's one thing to understand how to take quality real estate photos.

It's another thing to understand how to run a photography business - and a successful one, at that.

Ideally, before you dip your toes into the world of real estate photography, you'll take the time to learn the requisite photography and business skills. And a great way to do that is by learning online from the best in the business!

I recently came upon Real Estate Photographer Pro, and was impressed from moment one by the sheer volume of materials from which you can learn how to be a successful real estate photographer.

As mentioned above, you need to learn photography and business skills, and that's precisely what you do in this course.

With more than 80 video lessons on everything from marketing to camera settings to post-processing, this is truly a one-stop-shop for learning all-things real estate photography.

And it isn't some kind of one-and-done learning experience, either - there are dozens of downloadable assets and you get full lifetime access to the course, too.

That means that you can learn at your own pace, reference course materials when you need a quick refresh, and learn new skills as you go for the duration of your career.

With Real Estate Photographer Pro at your side, there's nowhere to go but up!

Mistake #3: Giving Away Extras for Free

^{Photo by Derek Thomson on Unsplash} 

There are a lot of photographers that give away work for free, myself included. 

But there’s a difference between giving away an add-on - say, sky replacement in the primary exterior photo - and giving away all of your work for free.

There are many photography tutorials that tell you that working for free is a great way to generate a client list. I have to disagree. 

If you start out working for free, you’re not only making zero money, but you’re also conditioning clients to expect your work to be cheap.

Then, as you gain experience and begin to raise your rates, even low rates will seem high compared to the free services you used to offer.

Working for free undervalues you and your work. Don’t do it!

In the video above, True Homes Photography discusses different real estate photography pricing structures.

It helped me out a lot when I found it. Hopefully it will do the same for you!

Learn More:

• Building a Real Estate Photography Business: Permits, Finances, and Insurance 
• Getting Started in Drone Photography for Real Estate 

Mistake #4: Using All of Your Income to Buy New Gear 

^{Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash} 

Photographers are passionate about their careers. You need to be passionate in order to run your own business, but you also need to be passionate when you work in an industry that traditionally undervalues your work.

So, it can be difficult to not direct this passion into the latest and greatest photography equipment. 

I was discussing this article with a friend who is a graphic designer. We were primarily talking about gear acquisition syndrome, which is when you basically take your entire paycheck and put it back into new equipment for your business. It’s a dangerous game to play!

^{Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash} 

She gave me a good metaphor for this problem. Up until 2015, the university she works for required all of their employees to upgrade their computers every 2 years since equipment was just that much better with every new edition. 

The university ended their policy in 2016. The new policy is to use the equipment you have until it absolutely falls apart (or your skills outgrow the equipment).

Photography gear is not improving at the rate it has been for the past century. I still use a Canon 5D Mark II for goodness sakes! 

Unless you truly need new equipment because the equipment you have can’t do something you need it to do (like, shooting 4K video), then you should stick with what you have.  

Use the extra money to invest in marketing or to put in retirement instead. 

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Mistake #5: Getting Cocky

^{Photo by Marco Xu on Unsplash} 

I had been working as a real estate photographer for two years before I was asked to photograph my first million dollar home.

It was a huge deal for me. I couldn’t stop talking about it for weeks and I didn’t sleep the night before at all.  

But I have to say the shoot went off without a hitch despite my nervous energy about photographing a very expensive home.

After that, I got a little to big for my britches. I actually turned down a few jobs for “lesser” properties because I was convinced other million-dollar homes were right around the corner.

It’s one thing to be confident in your abilities. It’s another to be cocky about it.

When you find success, don’t let it get in the way of continuing to learn and grow. Be confident, but be humble too. No one like a photographer that’s a jerk, so if you want to score more real estate photography jobs, keep yourself in check, put your head down, and work hard!

Learn More:

• Basic Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Exteriors 
• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Interiors
  

 

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^{photo byYinYang via iStock}

Though the exterior photos of a property will likely be the first ones that prospective buyers see, it’s often the interior shots that compel them to request a showing or put in an offer. 

The interior of a home is where the story of the property is told - where they can envision themselves having family dinners, playing with their kids in the family room, and enjoying a soak in the bathtub in the master bath. 

But getting high-quality interior photos of properties is much more than just pointing your camera and pressing the shutter button.

Instead, to get the best-quality images, follow these interior real estate photography tips.

Beware of Using Ultra-Wide-Angle Lenses 

^{photo by gerenme via iStock} 

First and foremost, you want to avoid using wide-angle lenses that are too wide.

Lenses in the 10-12mm range often offer a fisheye look - with distorted and warped lines (the example image above is a panorama, not a single wide-angle shot, but it demonstrates how lines can appear warped). This is not what we want when photographing interior spaces!

Instead, use a wide-angle lens that allows you to capture most of the room in a single shot, but has less distortion - say, in the range of 24mm (or around 14-16mm on a crop sensor camera).

There are some caveats to this, however.

First, distortion is an issue with any wide-angle lens, so some measure of lens correction in post-processing will be needed for barrel distortion and chromatic aberration, even if you shoot at the narrow end of the wide-angle range, like 24mm.

Secondly, there are a variety of rectilinear lenses that go as wide as 10mm. These lenses are specifically designed to minimize or even eliminate the barrel and pincushion distortion that make straight lines appear warped. In that case, you can go much wider than you could with a traditional lens and still get stick-straight lines.

It’s important to have a lens that’s quite wide in your bag so you can get whole-room images in a single photo. That’s difficult to do with a 24mm lens, so shop around for a wider one - particularly a rectilinear lens - to add to your bag.

^{photo by DenGuy via iStock} 

Where ultra-wide lenses create images that are distracting with all that distortion, regular wide-angle lenses allow you to highlight the space in the room, include foreground interest, and capture a view that gives the room a feeling of more space and dimension, as shown above.

Learn More:

• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography 
• How to Photograph Bedrooms to Enhance Their Appeal 

Interior Photography Composition Tips 

^{photo by Bulgac via iStock} 

When composing interior photos, it’s helpful to get back to the basics of photography to find tricks that can help you capture the most pleasing shots. 

Leading lines, for example, give the image improved depth while also helping guide the viewer’s eye through the shot and around the room.

In the image above, the lines of the wood floors help move your eyes toward the back of the room, which gives the impression of greater depth.

Also rely on the rule of thirds to create photos that are well-balanced and have good proportion.

As shown above, primary features in this photo - the light fixtures and bar among them - adhere closely to the rule of thirds grid.

The resulting image is quite balanced. Notice how the large countertop area doesn’t overwhelm the shot, even though it takes up quite a bit of the frame.

 ^{photo by alabn via iStock}

When composing photos, think about whether the shot warrants more foreground space or more background space.

For example, if a room has beautiful flooring, you want to highlight that by dedicating more of the composition to the foreground. If, on the other hand, a room has an intricate ceiling, shift the eye level upward to give more space to viewing that detail. 

As shown in the image above, this change in eye level needn’t be severe - just a slight increase in the height of the camera allowed the photographer to include more of the coffered ceiling and range hood. 

Though these are simple tips, they can have a profound impact on the quality of interior photos!

Quick Tip: When altering the eye level of the camera, strive to maintain the camera at level. Tilting it up or down can cause straight lines like walls to appear as though they’re tilting.

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Creating Depth in Interior Photos

^{photo by hikesterson via iStock} 

Homebuyers love space, and by creating depth in your images, you can give them the impression of space in your photos. 

As mentioned before, leading lines are an excellent tool to use to create depth and dimension in your interior photos.

But there are other tricks you can use as well.

^{photo by YinYang via iStock}

For example, by incorporating a foreground element - like the couch in the image above - you create layers of interest for the viewer’s eye to inspect as they look around the image. 

In this case, the couch in the foreground, the ottoman behind it, the dining table in the midground, and the kitchen in the background give this shot incredible depth. The fact that the view out the doors and windows is on full display certainly helps as well.

It’s this kind of intention - with staging, furniture placement, and the perspective from which you shoot - that will result in the most pleasing photos of interior spaces. 

Learn More:

• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Interiors 
• What You Need to Do Before Taking a Single Real Estate Photo 

Maximize the Impact of Interior Spaces With a View Outside

^{photo by asbe via iStock} 

As explained earlier, creating images with depth will give buyers a better impression of the size of the rooms they’re looking at in your photos. 

One of the best ways to do that is to ensure that the viewer’s eyes can travel beyond the room.

One of the most common difficulties you’ll encounter when photographing interior spaces is that windows tend to be blown out, as shown above. Naturally, this overexposed box does nothing for creating depth in the shot or showcasing what the view from this room might be.

^{photo by hikestersonvia iStock}  

Fortunately, the fix for this issue is quite straightforward.

By bracketing the exposures and merging them together, you can create a photograph that’s well-exposed for the shadows, midtones, and highlights in a room.

The result, as you can see above, has far greater visual appeal than the previous image.

In this case, the view out of the window is crystal clear, and allows our eyes to travel further into the photograph.

With that said, this technique, paired with the other interior real estate photography tips outlined earlier, allows you to tell a better story about the property, one that highlights space, depth, and the view!

 

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 ^{photo byAleksandarNakic via iStock}

If you’ve been in the real estate business for very long, then you know the importance of incredible real estate photos. 

People want to see their new potential houses before ever contacting you, especially with the rise of websites like Zillow. So, if the photos of their new potential houses are of poor quality, then they’ll probably immediately move on to the next potential house. 

And, in a time like ours, you can’t be losing leads just because you didn’t use a great real estate photographer.  

So, this DIY real estate photography list is for you.  

Table of Contents

• Let the Photos Speak For Themselves
• The Benefits of Hiring a Professional
• Understand the Basics

Let the Photos Speak For Themselves

 ^{photo bySDI Productions via iStock}

Visuals are 43% more persuasive than written words. Even before the advent of photography, marketers knew to create prettier type fonts if they were going to sell their products.

But, we have now come to expect a certain type of quality in our photography as consumers, thanks to rapidly increasing technology. 

This is especially true of the real estate industry. A full 86% of homebuyers state that the listing photography is why they decide to come view a home. So, why do so few realtors choose to work with professional real estate photographers? 

If you feel like you could use some help learning the best strategies for creating clean real estate photos, try Real Estate Photographer Pro. 

Real Estate Photographer Pro was created by a real estate photographer who got fed up learning all of the tricks of the trade for himself, so he decided to create a course where he collected all of the tips he could. 

The course includes video tutorials, a members-only Facebook page with live Q&A sessions held on a weekly basis, and hundreds of downloads of presets and templates.

In other words, not only does this course provide you with all the learning opportunities you need to grow your business, but it also has loads of support tools to help you along the way.

 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Reading:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional 

 ^{photo by jacoblund via iStock} 

DIY real estate photography can only get you so far, as can repeatedly Googling, “real estate photography tips.”  

There are a ton of benefits of hiring a professional real estate photographer. Here are a few:

Properties with professionally-taken photos sell 32% faster

Real estate photographers know how to work with a small, cluttered property

You won’t need to purchase specialized photography equipment

 ^{photo by PeopleImages via iStock} 

Of course, hiring a professional real estate photographer also means that the property will take longer to list. You’ll need to find a professional in your area that you trust and schedule them. Depending upon the market in your home city, it may take a few weeks.  

Additionally, professional real estate photographers will run you anywhere from $100-$500, depending upon the specificity of your request and the background of the photographer you hire.  

So, we’ll list some beginner real estate photography tips below if you do decide to do a DIY real estate photography shoot. 

Learn More:

• Critical Real Estate Photography Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
• Introductory Real Estate Photography Tips

Understand the Basics

 ^{photo by SDI Productions via iStock} 

If you’re going to do a DIY real estate photography photoshoot, then you’ll need to have a basic understanding of photography tips for realtors.  

Here’s a quick and dirty version for you. 

DIY Real Estate Photography Tips

^{Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash} 

Declutter. Make sure personal items are removed from your shots, and the home is clean. 

Use natural lighting. If possible, never use artificial lighting. Artificial lighting will throw off the color of the lighting in your shot and will require a ton of work in your editing software. A better option is to bracket your exposures and merge the images. This generates a composite image that is well-exposed throughout. 

Take all your photos from eye level. This is the easiest way to ensure that the house is accurately represented in your photos. 

How to Choose Your Shots

^{Photo by Humphrey Muleba on Unsplash} 

You’ll need to build your shot list before going to your property to photograph it.  

Typical real estate photography shot lists include:

• 5-6 photos of the outside of the home from different angles
• 3-4 photos of the backyard
• 2-3 photos of each bathroom
• 2 wide shots of each bedroom
• 2 wide shots of the kitchen
• 2 wide shots of the living room
• 1 photo each of any special features 

Just make sure to showcase anything special about the home. Custom millwork, fireplaces, the view...all are well worth a photo!

Staging 101

^{Photo by The Honest Company on Unsplash} 

You’ll want to get rid of all clutter, like we talked about earlier. You’ll also want to get rid of personal items (especially if they are political in nature). People want to see themselves in a home and they won’t if other people’s belongings are in the photos. That’s why staging is so important. 

Also, make sure that you clean anything that could be considered a pet peeve. Make the beds and make sure the sheets aren’t wrinkled. Clean the windows thoroughly. Put the toilet seats down. These are super simple tasks that can have a profound impact on how your photos look. 

How to Choose an Editing Software

^{Photo by Kevin Bhagat on Unsplash} 

I’d be joking if I said that choosing an editing software isn’t mostly about finding something in your price range. 

Photoshop and Lightroom are both the most popular real estate photography editing softwares. However, Photoshop is around $250 while Lightroom is $120 a year. Both editing softwares require monthly or yearly memberships. 

Instead, I’d recommend something tailored specifically to real estate like Photomatix Essentials RE. It’s $79, so you can save money over Photoshop and Lightroom, and it has special presets for real estate photography that can help speed up your workflow too. 

Learn More:

• How to Set Your Real Estate Photography Pricing
• How to Market Yourself as a Real Estate Photographer

 

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^{photo byRyan Herron via iStock}

Real estate photography is a profitable business open to many skilled photographers. We have many articles covering real estate photography tips and also a lot of articles covering drone video tips. So, we’re combining these thoughts as some useful drone tips for real estate photographers.

Using drones for real estate photography can put you ahead of the curve in finding clients since there are many photographers without drones or don’t yet know how to use a drone for real estate photography. 

If you have or are planning to acquire a high quality drone, here are a few drone photography tips for making good images to include in a real estate photography package or service.

Use a High-Quality Drone

Quality for drones involves more than camera resolution, it also covers the flight and control characteristics of the drone. First off, though, you want the camera and lens to be able to provide video footage and still images on par with the camera you’re using for the regular photos. 

By on par, I mean being close enough for online imaging to not show a definite difference in quality. So, if you’re using a Full Frame or APS-C DSLR or mirrorless, you won’t need an exact match of sensor, but you want one that is better than the cameras included in hobbyist style drones.

DJI Mavic drones like the DJI Mavic Air 2 with a ½” sensor and DJI Mavic 2 Pro with a 1” type sensor in its Hasselblad camera. Both are reasonably priced for professional photography with the Mavic Air 2 coming in at a little over half the cost of the Mavic 2 Pro.

Intelligent Flight Modes

 ^{photo byFototocam via iStock}

Part of the quality of the drones for real estate is how well they fly and how smooth the control of the drone is. Many of the better drones have specialty flight modes that are very usable to ensure higher quality images and video.

A wobbly flight means poor quality photos, just as if you had poor technique for holding your DSLR causing unsharp images. Intelligent flight modes such as what is found in the DJI Mavic drones provide smooth and even control of the flight and shooting the photos.

Learn More:

• When To Take Outdoor Photos of Real Estate
• Top Drones for Real Estate Photography

Shoot In HDR Mode

 ^{photo bygolubovy via iStock}

If your drone has the mode available, HDR will provide the most balanced exposure for the aerial scenes being pictured. HDR is High Dynamic Range photography, a method of bracketing several frames taken at the same time and then merged in post processing in order to capture good detail in highlights, mid range tones, and the shadows.

Here is an excellent YouTube videoexplaining how to use HDR for real estate photography. 

I consider this one of the top drone tips for real estate photography because you should already be shooting in HDR for real estate photography. The bracket and merge technique of HDR photography has many advantages for all types of real estate photography from residential and luxury residential to commercial properties. 

So if you’re using the bracket and merge technique for your ground based images and interior images, you want the drone photos to have the same great looking detail across the entire dynamic range of the scene and the entire package of images.

Follow the Rules

 ^{photo byRemus Kotsell via iStock}

One of the most important drone tips for real estate photographers is to meet all the requirements for drone operation in your area and follow all the safety protocols. For drones of a certain size, this will include the regulations for drone flight and registration. In some jurisdictions, this will involve testing and licenses. 

Since using drones for real estate photography is likely part of a business venture, you will also want to have the proper insurance coverage to protect yourself against any liability claims, both personal and property.

How to Take Real Estate Photos: Post-Process for a Natural Look

 ^{photo byRobert Ingelhart via iStock}

Even though we are using what some may consider to be an artistic technique, HDR, for our real estate photography, the end results we’re after should have a natural appearance. The bracket and merge technique can supply us with beautiful, full range images, but we want to keep the colors and details as natural and true to life as possible. 

We may be presenting the property in the best light, but the images should remain realistic, accurately portraying the real estate property. Cleaning up the images is a good idea, but major alterations might prove to be problematic in the long run. 

It’s a good idea to post-process your drone images to the same standards used in the rest of the images. In other words, the color balance, sharpness, and exposure values from both cameras should complement each other instead of being obviously and glaringly different. 

Offer Pricing Packages

 ^{photo bygrinvalds via iStock}

In order to get paid for using your drones for real estate work, it helps to offer a variety of pricing packages that include drone images, beauty shots, and twilight images. Adding these services to your pricing packages, either one at a time or as multiple combinations, can create interest in them and possibly result in more clients opting for them.

Take advantage of these drone tips for real estate photographers to learn how to use a drone for real estate photography and to improve your techniques using a drone in order to supply the best images for your real estate clients which will give you more profitable success in this fascinating field of professional photography.  

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography Gear List
• Post-Processing Tips for Real Estate Photography

 

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^{photo bySDI Productions via iStock}

The housing market all across America is incredibly hot right now, which means you could be finding yourself in a spot where you’re needing tips for photographing real estate.

Whether you are selling your own home, or you’re starting to photograph real estate as a business, you need to follow some basic requirements to make sure that your photos are of a high enough quality to attract plenty of potential buyers.

If you’ve ever been on the other end of purchasing a house, then you know just how big a deal photos of properties are. I’ve personally passed on plenty of homes, whether I was looking to buy them or even just rent them, because the photos were cluttered, poorly lit, or worse, nonexistent. 

Tips for Photographing Real Estate: Strictly Use Natural Lighting

^{photo byhikesterson via iStock}

This is one of the better known exterior real estate photography tips, but I think you can and should apply it to indoor real estate photos as well. You should always use natural lighting.

Of course, natural lighting just looks better than artificial lighting, but if you use artificial lighting you’re also setting yourself up for disaster while editing your photos later.

Think about it. If you use artificial lighting, then the chances are that each light bulb will be a different brightness and different color than other light bulbs in the house. This means you will have to go in during the editing process to try and make all of the lighting throughout the house look as if it is the same color.  

Besides, artificial lighting can be harsh, create deep shadows, and it requires that you invest in a lighting system that you then have to set up and take down for each room in the house.

A much easier solution is to utilize HDR photography techniques. By bracketing the exposures, you can blend multiple images together to create an image that retains the details of the room throughout the dynamic range in the scene - including the view out of the windows! See how easy it is in the video below:

Setting up your camera to take bracketed exposures is simple and straightforward, too. And as the video above shows, the results are well worth it!

Tips for Photographing Real Estate: Beware of Distortion

^{photo byCardmaverick via iStock}

ost photographers will use some type of a wide-angle lens when photographing real estate because wide-angle lenses make the space look larger. This isn’t always necessary, but if you’re shooting a rather small home, then it can make the home look more open and more appealing.  

But, one thing that you have to consider is the fact that wide-angle lenses also distort the exact thing that the photographer is trying to sell: the house.

A wide-angle lens will distort features of the room, particularly at the edges. So, if you’re photographing a dining room that has a round table, and you use a wide-angle lens, the table will appear to be oval in shape.

Additionally, objects nearer the camera will be exaggerated in size while objects further away will be smaller than they actually are.

To help mitigate distortion, move the camera back as far as you can and zoom the lens in a little bit. If you use a full frame camera, try to keep the angle of view at 18mm or wider, at a minimum. If you’re using a crop sensor camera, don’t go wider than 12mm.

Learn More:

• The Importance of Quality Real Estate Photos
• Homeowner Tips for Spring Real Estate Photography

Tips for Photographing Real Estate: Keep Your Camera Low

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A lot of real estate photographers recommend that you take real estate photos from an eye level or around 5.5 feet. This is so that each of your photos accurately represents what an average person will see when they’re walking through the house.  

While this is a good recommendation, I do not always shoot at an eye level of 5.5 feet. I typically shoot my real estate photography closer to 4.5-5 feet in children’s rooms because the furniture is lower to the ground. Conversely, in areas like bathrooms, I bring the eye level up so potential buyers can see the countertops and fixtures on the vanity. 

I’d say err on the side of having the eye level a little lower in most situations. This allows you to show potential buyers more of the flooring and less of the ceiling. And by and large, buyers care much more about what they’re walking on than what’s on the ceiling.

Tips for Photographing Real Estate: Photograph Small Details, Like Furniture

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I was photographing a house sometime last year with one of those clients who is very hands on. He was there the entire time I was shooting. At times, he was trying to direct me. I would normally find this quite annoying, but he and I have a good working relationship and he has been flipping houses for decades, so he typically knows what he’s talking about.

Still, I was taking a photograph in the living room and was trying to frame the couch that had just been set up by the stagers. My client started telling me that I didn’t need to focus on the furniture, because the furniture wasn’t being sold with the house. 

I personally believe that this was a huge mistake on his part, firstly because he spent thousands and thousands of dollars to stage that house, and secondly because photos of furniture in real estate photography help people to imagine themselves in that space.

I always recommend that you take the time to take photos of all the details of a space, even if some of those details aren’t for sale. It helps build a story of the home - one that potential buyers can better envision themselves being a part of.

Tips for Photographing Real Estate: Use a Tripod

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I always find it really frustrating when a homeowner takes a ton of time learning how to photograph their homes for sale, reading all about spring cleaning tips for real estate photography, and then they don’t use a tripod while they’re shooting the photos.

It honestly doesn’t matter if the house looks incredible if the photos you’re going to take of the home aren’t. 

By using a tripod, you’re giving yourself a greater ability to take high-quality photos. You won’t have to worry about handshake, plus to utilize HDR techniques like bracketing exposures, a tripod is essential for getting multiple exposures that are framed up in the exact same manner.

Use these tips to improve your real estate photography, and I think you’ll find that the homes you photograph have more interest from potential buyers.

Learn More:

• DIY Real Estate Photography Tips for Realtors
• Budget Friendly Real Estate Photography Gear

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It’s hard to sort through real estate photography tips online because you’re never quite sure what competing information to listen to, and this is especially true when it comes to grabbing the “perfect shot,” because the “perfect shot” is different to everyone.

But, there are some real estate photography basics just about everyone agrees on. In an attempt to boil down all the information floating around online, I wrote this real estate photography tips list for people just starting out in the trade. 

But, don’t thank me, thank Mango Street for creating the awesome video on which I based this list. It’s filled with real estate photography tips for shooting interiors, but more importantly, it’s only a few minutes long, so even if you’re cramped for time, you can catch their tips. 

Check out the video above, and for more details, keep reading below! 

Table of Contents:

• Shoot From the Hip
• Bring Props
• Use Natural Light
• Use a Wide Lens
• Join a Real Estate Photographer Class

Shoot From the Hip

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This is one of those photography tips made popular in street photography. But you can use a version of it to take better real estate photos, too. 

With street photography, you’re literally shooting from the hip - just holding your camera low and snapping away. 

Shooting from the hip in real estate photography is a little different in that it refers to shooting from hip height with your camera on a tripod. 

Doing so allows the room to appear neutral with natural-looking lines. For instance, if you shoot from eye height, the image can have odd angles and look as though you’re looking down into the room rather than across it. 

In the image above, this issue is rectified by shooting at hip height. Notice how the vertical lines are parallel with the edges of the frame - just what you want!

Quick tip: Always use a tripod to ensure you get a perfectly sharp image. Even if you feel as though you have steady hands, they aren’t as steady as a tripod!

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Shooting from hip height can also have the added benefit of making a room appear larger. 

When people are shopping for properties online, they typically want large spaces. This is especially important with high-dollar or corporate clients. 

In the image above, dropping the eye level to hip height allows more of the incredible view to be taken in by potential buyers. Since views often sell properties, this is a simple trick to both improve your photos and make a sale more likely.

 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Reading:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

Bring Props 

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One of the hardest real estate photography tips to listen to is this: view your furniture as people.  

Now, I understand that doesn’t make sense right off the bat, but in real estate photography, the furniture is an important subject. If you’re switching to real estate photography after having worked in another photography niche, then you’re going to need to get used to viewing your furniture as one of the stars of the show.

But, sometimes the star of the show needs makeup. For instance, a coffee table without a book can look pretty bland. Or, a shelf without any plants just sort of looks like a boring shelf. 

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I always recommend real estate photographers bring a few books, small plants, neutral-colored throw blankets and pillows to their shoots to liven up any particularly boring shots. 

Though many realtors ask their clients to stage their properties (or stage the property for them), this isn’t always the case. It never hurts to have a few eye-catching accessories in your trunk to bring a little more interest to your interior real estate photos. 

Quick tip: Composition works the other way around as well. Did the homeowner forgot some dish soap by the sink? Remove it. Is a dog bed in the corner of the room making your shot look messy? Put it in a room you’ve already shot. Adding accessories can benefit your shots, but so too can decluttering!

Use Natural Light

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Real estate photography interior photos that use artificial light almost always look less welcoming. Artificial light can cast harsh shadows on walls and ceiling fixtures and mess with the color temperature of your shot. 

As such, it’s important to shoot during the most bright time of day (typically between 10am and 3pm), that way the property is as filled with light as possible. 

But using natural light doesn’t just offer the benefit of looking better. It’s also free! 

Why would you want to lug around expensive lighting equipment when you can just rely on natural light while also getting a better result? 

If you use HDR techniques and bracket your exposures, you can merge them together in post-processing to create a final image that is well-exposed throughout.

Doing so means you don’t have to worry about blown-out highlights or blocked up shadows. Instead, the images you create showcase the room’s features and help you put the property’s best foot forward. 

If you’re not sure how to merge bracketed images together, check out the tutorial video above for a quick primer. 

Learn More:

• Critical Real Estate Photography Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make
• Real Estate Photography Staging Tips

Use a Wide Lens

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While it’s great to have a wide variety of lenses to choose from, you’ll probably find yourself reaching for two lenses the most often: either a 24mm or 35mm and your nifty fifty.  

The 24mm or 35mm is just wide enough to capture an entire room without being so wide that the room starts to look warped and distorted. This is a great option for exterior photography as well because it allows you to highlight the property in the context of its surroundings. 

You can use your nifty fifty to snap close-up images of details you love about the property - interesting architectural details, custom features, and the like. 

Granted, these focal length recommendations assume that you’re shooting with a full frame camera. If you use a crop sensor camera, you’ll need to take its crop factor into account.

Join a Real Estate Photographer Class

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Real estate photography is a high stakes game because one client can make or break your career.  

With that being said, you should exert additional energy into learning everything there is to know about how to photograph interior spaces, but moreover into learning everything there is to know about real estate photography as a whole. 

Fortunately, others have learned the ins and outs of real estate photography through trial and error so you no longer have to.

I joined Real Estate Photographer Pro based on the recommendation of a friend and I’ve never looked back.  

Real Estate Photographer Pro has a ton of features like video tutorials, a members-only Facebook group, downloadable pictures, templates and presets, and, most importantly, access to a live Q&A every week. This course is basically a networking seminar and a certificate all wrapped into one. 

Plus, if you purchase a membership and don’t love it as much as I do, there’s a 30-day money back guarantee. With no risk to you, why not give it a try?

You might just find that the tips you learn with Real Estate Photographer Pro help take your business to the next level. 

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography: A Beginner’s Guide for Getting Started
• Budget-Friendly Real Estate Photography Gear

 

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Fall or autumn may be full of intense colors where you are or things may be more subtly colored, but it’s a good season for outdoor photographers of all types. Fall photography tips for real estate can benefit from the opportunities this season presents.

How to take good exterior real estate photos is a top concern for real estate photographers regardless of the seasons, so you can use many of the real estate photography tips for fall as general exterior real estate photography tips for shooting any time of the year.

The Colors!

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The colors of the leaves and other plants is one of the most appealing aspects of any type of fall photography, real estate photography included.

Much of the coloring will be trending towards the warm end of the color wheel. Red, orange, yellow, and all of the various hues and combinations such as rust, burnt ombre, and so on. 

An amazing photographic opportunity also exists with the juxtaposition of the cooler colors along with those warm shades. Examples could be including the deep blue sky or a large swath of reddening leaves with spots of green from trees that have yet to turn or from evergreens. Vice versa works just as well, spots of warmth inside a mostly green view.

A polarizing filter is a very useful tool for creating these vivid color contrasts or for deepening the saturation of whatever colors dominate the view. A circular polarizer can eliminate glare, creating the deep blue skies that look so pretty with autumn trees and also removing glare from the leaves, allowing the true colors to shine through.  

It’s not merely the trees that can have intense colors, wildflowers, grasses, shrubbery, can also exhibit an amazing array at different times during the fall season. Keep your eyes open for pretty views that can be incorporated into your exterior real estate photography. 

Afterwards, go out and shoot some personal images for your portfolio or just for fun. I love fall photography for all sorts of imaging opportunities, including outdoor portraits and macro photography.

Composition

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Real estate photography composition tips follow the basic photography tips in that we primarily want to capture a balanced view of the subject. 

For the exterior views during fall season, one method used by real estate photographers is to treat the house as a portrait subject. Some portraits look great as a straight-on frontal view, similar to the posing used for ID pics.

Straight-on curbside views present the property in a manner that lets people see exactly what and where the property is and are an essential image in real estate portfolios and listings.

As an extra view, consider posing the home as you would a ¾ view portrait. It’s similar to moving the camera position over a bit and asking the portrait subject to turn their shoulders.  

With a house, moving just a little bit to one side of the property or the other and including a slight angle of a second exterior wall accomplishes the same effect. While still realistically showing the property, this view is more like showing it off than a straight-on curb shot does. Being able to include a bit of fall color will also add extra appeal. 

Learn More:

• Anatomy of a Good Real Estate Hero Shot
• Basic Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Exteriors

Bracket and Merge HDR

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The bracket and merge HDR method is one of the techniques used by many real estate photographers for capturing realistic views of the properties that show detail in the highlights, midrange, and deep shadows of the exposures.

Bracket and merge HDR is every bit as usable as a method of how to take good exterior real estate photos as it is for interior images. It can be especially useful for blending the extra colors in order to make them appealing without overwhelming the property itself.

Check out this YouTube tutorial explaining the technique and how it is used for real estate photography in general.

Less Is More

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We have to consider the question, what’s being sold? Is it a residential real estate property or artsy images of fall colors? The answer for real estate photography is obvious, it’s the property. So, we add this idea to our autumn photography tips for real estate, use the colors available but showcase the property.

Fall foliage colors can enhance the property, but the focus of the imaging is to showcase the property to potential buyers. Showing the beautiful scenery around the home can definitely add curb appeal, but a house exists all year long, so we want to present it both realistically and in the best possible way.

Offer Extras

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Here is where we can add in some gorgeous images of the beautiful colors on the property. A high-level perspective, from an extension pole or a drone, is one method we can use to showcase the fall colors in the neighborhood or throughout the property.

A nice hero shot could also take full advantage of the autumn foliage that may add scroll-stopping viewer appeal. Using the bracket and merge HDR method will allow us to fine-tune the images to their best potential.

Many times we use HDR for creating twilight views as a hero or beauty shot, but in the fall season, Golden Hour may be a better choice. With twilight, the cool sky colors might compete with the warm plant colors. In some cases, this contrast might be useful. During Golden Hour, the scene’s color temperature is naturally warmer and we can use that to enhance the autumn view. 

Use our fall photography tips for real estate as a starting point for crafting realistic views of the property in general and for creating beautiful extra images such Golden Hour hero shots and high vantage point views that have instant eye appeal.

Learn More:

• Composition Tips for Photographing Real Estate Exteriors
• How To Photograph Real Estate in the Winter

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Like many other professional photographers and photography teachers, I get asked a lot about choices for types of cameras for real estate photography. It’s a valid question to be sure. A good portion of those asking also wonder about full frame vs crop sensor cameras in their real estate photography gear options.  

So, let’s take a look at some of the important factors is picking the right cameras for real estate photography, talk about some pros and cons regarding full frame vs crop sensor cameras, and also some important features of cameras in order to take advantage of basic to advanced real estate photography tips.

What Camera Do You Have Now?

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My first replies to the questions about cameras for real estate photography and full frame vs crop sensor cameras are invariably questions for them. I like to find out what camera they already have, what type of photography they do now, and what is their budget and business plan?

More often than not, the person asking me is already an advanced photographer with a decent camera and some investment in other photographic gear. What turns out is that the camera they already have is really nice and likely usable for real estate photography. There's no point in buying a new camera if you already have a good camera for real estate agents.

However, some of you may have a really good camera but the camera isn’t an optimal choice as cameras for real estate photography. This is usually due to resolution and / or features. In these cases, an upgrade may be in order. So, what resolution and features are important?

Recommended Features and Quality

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If you are desiring to upgrade your camera and want to know what features and quality are required, I like to highlight the benefits of prosumer level cameras and lenses. The resolution of many newer cameras, even entry level cameras, are more than enough for real estate     photography.  

It’s the advanced features and higher levels of durability that tend to make prosumer models better cameras for real estate photography over entry level cameras, bridge cameras, and smartphones. 

Obviously, we want to have interchangeable lenses as a basic camera type and feature. That could mean either a DSLR or mirrorless. It could also mean any one of three different sensor formats. More on lenses and sensor size in a minute.

Another very important feature is the ability to bracket exposures. The reason why this is a vital feature is because we can create outstanding realty images with an HDR merge program and several bracketed exposures.  

Bracketing and merging is a basic operation for high quality real estate photography. It’s HDR or high dynamic range photography that allows an image in a listing to accurately portray the property with excellent detail. Here is a very informative tutorial for using HDR in real estate photography. You may also enjoy this YouTube video explaining the subject of HDR merging.  

Learn More:

• Beginner Real Estate Photography Tips
• How To Get Started In Real Estate Photography

Real Estate Photography Equipment: Full Frame Vs Crop Sensor

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All other things being equal, the larger the sensor, the better imaging capability it has, especially in low light sensitivity. The thing I like to stress when discussing full frame vs crop sensor is that all other things are rarely equal.

The megapixel count, type of pixel, generation of camera image processor, anti aliasing filter (or not), and other technical issues factor into any consideration of what sensor size is better for your own situation.

Even though it might make sense to simply invest in a larger format sensor, we also need to keep in mind that costs will increase. And not just the camera cost, full frame lenses are often significantly higher priced than similar lens types for crop sensors. 

Besides the Full Frame 35mm format, the other two digital formats that can work well for real estate photography gear are APS-C and MFT.  If you already have a system in one of these three formats, then the cameras for real estate photography you could look at will include cameras of these formats.  

You might also decide the camera you’re currently using is what you will use to start real estate photography. A prosumer level camera in any of these three formats will be very usable and capable. 

Prosumer simply means that it is designed as a higher level camera that entry level cameras but not the full fledged top-of-the-line pro model in the camera brand. Prosumer cameras are built more rugged and have advanced features useful for paid or other serious photography. 

Pros and Cons of Full Frame Vs Crop Sensor

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Before I give some specific new camera suggestions for your real estate photography gear, let’s quickly highlight the advantages of the three formats, especially as they relate to choices of cameras for real estate photography. 

Full Frame Pros:

• Higher image quality possible
• Excellent low light capabilities
• Most models are prosumer or higher level

Full Frame Cons:

• Camera prices are high
• Lens prices are also high
• Image files can be very large

APS-C Pros:

• Very high image quality
• Lighter weight and smaller size overall
• Many very reasonably priced camera and lenses

APS-C Cons:

• Crop factor limits wide angle usability
• Crop factor also affects depth of field 

MFT Pros: 

• Smallest and lightest prosumer and pro models
• Most have excellent video
• Common lens mount for lots of lens choices

MFT Cons: 

• More extreme crop factor
• Prosumer models tend to cost more than comparable APS-C

Camera Recommendations

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Now for the fun part, suggestions of what cameras for real estate photography! I’ll list a couple of ideas for each format. Check out their features and quality and then look for something similar in your preferred brand.

You’ll notice that I haven’t discussed the options of DSLR vs mirrorless. Primarily because it is really more about full frame vs crop factor than mirrorless vs DSLR when discussing real estate photography gear.

Full Frame Cameras:

• Nikon D750 - Compact DSLR, 24.3mp sensor, vari-angle LCD viewscreen, exposure bracketing, built-in Wi-Fi.
• Sony Alpha 7 III - Compact mirrorless, 24.2mp sensor, exposure bracketing, 4K video.

APS-C Cameras: 

• Canon EOS 90D - DSLR, 32.5mp sensor, exposure bracketing, vari-angle viewscreen, 4K video.
• Fujifilm X-T3 - Mirrorless, 26.1mp sensor, exposure bracketing, vari-angle viewscreen, 4K video.

MFT Cameras: 

• Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mk III - Mirrorless, 20.4mp sensor, exposure bracketing, vari-angle viewscreen, built-in Wi-Fi, 4K video.
• Panasonic Lumix G9 - Mirrorless, 20.3mp sensor, exposure bracketing, vari-angle viewscreen, 4K video.

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Please check out our other articles for other ideas on cameras, lenses, accessories, and other real estate photography tips.

Learn More:

• 5 Tips for Gorgeous Real Estate Photos
• Best Lenses for Real Estate Photography

 

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Now more than ever, Realtors and real estate photographers are using drones to create both still images and videos of properties.

Not only does the perspective from above offer an excellent view of the entire property, but it also allows you to highlight the location of the property, the proximity of neighbors, amenities, streets, and so forth.

You can even use a drone to take photos and videos inside a property, which helps create a dynamic marketing portfolio that can help get the property sold faster.

If you’re new to using drone photography for real estate, consult the article below for some tips on how to get started.

Benefits of Using a Drone for Real Estate Photography 

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Since the vast majority of home searches begin online, a drone is a perfect tool for a real estate photographer to capture the attention and imagination of potential buyers.

Using a drone, you can:

• Show interesting architectural details
• Give viewers an overview of the property
• Highlight million-dollar views
• Explore the surrounding area
• Help potential buyers envision themselves living on the property 

And that’s just the start.

While still photos and videos taken from ground level can be very well done and engaging to potential buyers, drone footage can help you elevate the quality of the portfolio of images you create. Pairing the two together is an ideal approach. 

Step 1: Get a Drone for Real Estate

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Today, there are dozens and dozens of drones that could be used for real estate photography. All that selection can be a bit overwhelming, though.

When shopping for a drone for real estate, considering which features are useful can help narrow the options. Features to look for include:

• Camera quality - You want a drone with a high-resolution camera (i.e., 20-megapixels) that offers 4K video capabilities with a high frame rate (i.e., 8 fps).
• Flight time - Most top-end drones are capable of 25-30 minute flight times, which should be sufficient for most properties.
• Control range - Some drones only have a range of several hundred yards, which can inhibit your freedom to get high-angle or wide-angle photos and videos of a property. If possible, get a drone that has a range of at least one mile just to be safe.
• Stability - A drone with a built-in gimbal or gyroscope will help keep it level for sharp photos and smooth videos. Some drones are so stable that you can get bracketed exposures as well.
• Safety features- Many drones have anti-collision systems and fail-safes that return them to home when the battery is low. These features are particularly important if you’ll be using them in populated areas.

Below is more information about three drones that fit the criteria above. 

The DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 gets high marks from real estate photographers for its 20-megapixel camera, its ability to shoot 4K video at 60 fps (which is great for slow-motion video), its 30-minute flight time, its multi-directional obstacle avoidance system, and its range of well over four miles. 

The DJI Inspire 2 is another solid option for real estate photography. It has a one-inch, 20-megapixel sensor that is capable of recording video at up to 6K. Its dual battery system enables flight times of up to 27 minutes while its self-heating technology allows you to fly in cold temperatures. With multiple intelligent flight modes, you can create sweeping, cinematic videos of properties with the touch of a button. 

A final option is the DJI Mavic 2 Pro. Perhaps the best feature of this drone is the Hasselblad 20-megapixel sensor that has an adjustable aperture from f/2.9-f/11 and an ISO range up to 12,800. The camera supports 10-bit 4K video capture and has 10-bit Dlog-M color profile, which gives it enhances dynamic range. With a flight time of 31 minutes, a range of more than five miles, and an object avoidance system on all sides, this compact drone is ideal for real estate applications.

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Step 2: Learn the Regulations for Drone Flights & Practice Piloting Your Drone

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Before you take flight with your drone, it’s necessary to familiarize yourself with the regulations governing drone flights.

Bear in mind that these regulations vary from country to country, and even municipality to municipality. Therefore, don’t assume that the flight rules that apply in your area apply in a different town or city.

If you’re in the United States, you must obey Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rules when flying your drone, such as deferring to other aircraft. Likewise, you must register your drone with the FAA before you undertake flights.

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Once you’ve become familiar with flight regulations, practice your drone flying skills in an open area away from homes, businesses, roads, and other areas where property and people are found. An open field with broad sight lines is ideal. 

To begin, simply learn how to fly and maneuver the drone. Learning the controls as well as the limitations of the drone will take a bit of time and practice.

Once you’re comfortable flying, then expand your practice into taking still photos from various angles and altitudes. Do the same with video as well.

Step 3: Master Drone Photography Composition

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The obvious advantage of having a drone for real estate photography is that you can highlight property features in a unique way.

But there’s more to it than simply hovering the drone over the backyard pool.

Instead, it’s necessary to work on the composition of your shots to best showcase the property’s features.

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For example, if a home has a fabulous backyard, a high, wide-angle shot might be just the trick for showing off the yard in its entirety.

Then, pair that still shot with one from the opposite side of the yard to give potential buyers a view from another angle.

Additionally, many drones have automatic flight path features that you can program via GPS. That means you can select a flight path for the drone and create a video tour of the features you wish to feature.

Step 4: Understand the Limitations of Your Drone’s Camera  

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Just like your smartphone, DSLR or mirrorless camera, your drone’s camera can’t do everything perfectly. You may well find that you need to fine-tune the photos you take from the air in post-processing to get the best results.

For example, if you’re shooting from a drone on a day in which there is very strong sunlight, you might find that the camera can accommodate the highlights or shadows, but not both.

This occurs because the dynamic range - the range of light intensities from dark to light - is too much for the camera to handle in a single image.

To get around this issue, you can bracket the exposures and take 3-5 identical shots, each of which is taken at a different shutter speed. That is, take one shot that’s exposed for the shadows, another identical shot that’s exposed for midtones, and a final shot that’s exposed for the highlights.

Then, you can merge the exposures in a program like Photomatix Pro to create a single image that has beautiful details throughout the shadowed and highlighted areas.

Wrapping It Up

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As noted earlier, mastering the art of drone photography for real estate requires that you have the right gear, that you practice and familiarize yourself with local drone regulations, that you concentrate on creating well-composed shots, and that you perfect your images in post-processing.

If you can commit to this process, you’ll be in good shape to create gorgeous photos and videos of real estate using a drone.

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The holidays are coming in hot, and for many of us, finding gifts for the photographers in our lives is a tough task. 

Photographers can be a finicky bunch. We’re loyal to certain brands. Many of us already have an ocean of photography gear, too.

So what do you buy the photographer on your list with a budget of $50?

We’ve curated a list of top options that will hopefully make your holiday shopping a little easier.

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: H&Y 37-49mm RevoRing

One of the most innovative photography gadgets of 2020 is also one of the most inexpensive!

A couple of months ago, H&Y unveiled RevoRing, which is a variable step ring. This is so innovative because it eliminates the need to carry a bunch of individual step rings to make filters and filter systems work with different lenses.

Instead, the photographer on your list can have this one variable step ring in their camera bag and use it to adapt their filters to a variety of lenses.

This particular RevoRing is 37-49mm in range, giving your favorite photographer lots of leeway in terms of which filters they use with which lenses.

It’s dead simple to use too - just twist the RevoRing, attach it to the lens, and it’s ready to rock!

There simply aren’t that many truly innovative photography gifts for under $25, but RevoRing certainly fits the bill.

If you want to surprise your loved one with a gift that is unique, functional, and will legitimately help them improve their photography workflow, look no further than RevoRing!

Learn more about the H&Y RevoRing

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: CanvasHQ Print 

One of my favorite gifts to give (and to get, while we're at it) is a big, beautiful print.

Personally, I like canvas because of the texture the canvas gives to the print. Besides, a canvas print is something that will continue to give joy to the person that receives it for years and years to come!

Now, I know what you're thinking...canvas is so old-school.

But if you order your canvases from the right printers, you can get something that is beautiful, well-made and looks modern, even if the substrate is perhaps a bit old-school.

I have tons of canvases in my home, the vast majority of which are fromCanvasHQ.

These are some of the best canvas prints I've ever purchased. The sharpness of detail, the color accuracy, and the overall build quality of these prints is next-level good.

Part of the reason for this is the materials CanvasHQ uses. We’re talking archival-grade canvas, commercial-grade inks that are water and UV resistant, and kiln-dried pine frames to keep everything straight and true.

But CanvasHQ isn't just tops in the quality department...

They have excellent customer service that makes you feel heard and as though you're the only customer they have to worry about at that moment.

These guys are committed to getting it right, so if something doesn’t go as planned, you won’t be hung out to dry.

If you have questions, they’ll answer them. If you have a problem, they’ll fix it. If you need assistance with uploading your photo or even picking the best finishes for your canvas, they’ve got your back. 

In the video above, you can see how one of my CanvasHQ prints stacks up against similar prints from other printing companies. I think you'll see why I'm so loyal to CanvasHQ!

Start shopping for your favorite photographer today on CanvasHQ.

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black

The GoPro Hero 8 Black is an awesome camera for still photography and videos. It’s functionalities and flexibility are undeniable, and with a wide array of add-ons, mods, and accessories, you can extend the usefulness of this camera even further.

If your favorite photographer has a GoPro Hero 8 Black, a great holiday gift idea is the GoPro Light Mod.

This little guy connects easily to the Hero 8 Black via the Media Mod (sold separately) or it can be attached to multiple GoPro mounts and other accessories for off-camera lighting.

 

It has four levels of brightness up to 200 lumens so you can easily highlight the subject with crisp light.

As you’d expect, the light is built to tough GoPro standards and is waterproof up to 33 feet. The built-in rechargeable battery offers up to six hours of runtime, so whether the photographer in your life is shooting stills, videos, is working underwater or above, they’ll have reliable, clean light to help them achieve their creative vision! 

Learn more about the GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Artbeat Studios 11x14 HD Metal Print

Nothing says happy holidays like a gorgeous metal print, especially when the person you’re buying for is a photographer! So why not surprise the photographer on your list with an incredible HD metal print from Artbeat Studios?! 

Metal is a gorgeous substrate for all manner and type of photos. The crisp, clean detail and modern look is just what the doctor ordered for highlighting a beautiful image.

Artbeat Studios’ HD metal prints are so impressive in part because the image is heat infused directly into the metal. The result is unsurpassed resolution and color vibrancy.

What’s more, Artbeat Studios uses Chromaluxe® brand aluminum sheets. This brand of aluminum has a 3x better permanence than Kodak Silver Halide Prints and resists fading for more than 65 years. So not only is an HD metal print a great gift for this holiday season, but it’s a gift that will keep on giving for decades!

You can customize the look of the print by choosing different finishes, surfaces, and mounts. Additionally, you can choose from two different hanging systems and two different mounts. The result is a breathtaking and custom print that your favorite photographer is sure to love!

Learn more about Artbeat Studios’ HD Metal Prints

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Octopus.Camera OctoPad

If you’re rushing around trying to find that perfect gift for your favorite photographer, you might consider the Octopus.Camera OctoPad as an excellent choice.

The OctoPad offers what many other stabilization devices don’t - it doesn’t collapse under the weight of gear it’s supporting and it doesn’t slide around, even if it’s placed on a smooth or an uneven surface thanks to its weighted non-slip mat design.

The OctoPad has a built-in male 1/4-20 inch threaded bolt for attaching accessories and a high-capacity removable ball head that also has an adjustable 1/4-20 inch threaded male bolt.

That means that not only is the OctoPad well-equipped to stay in place, but it can also support a wide range of gear, from a GoPro to a smartphone to a light or microphone.

There’s even a built-in cable strap to keep cables from getting in your way and a clip grommet for attaching a lanyard to easily carry the OctoPad.

What photographers want in a gift is something that’s versatile and functional, and the OctoPad is definitely both. Best of all, it’s well below the $50 threshold, so you can give an awesome gift without busting your budget!

Learn more about the Octopus.Camera OctoPad

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

If the photographer on your list has a bunch of accessories for their camera, an Ikan Stratus Cage is all but a must.

And to make the Stratus cage even more functional, you can give the gift of a 15mm static lens support this holiday season.

The support attaches to the non-rotating part of a lens and helps support its weight.

With 7/8-inches of vertical leeway, this gadget can support a lens in a number of positions.

It's easy to use, too - one of the 15mm rod mounts is open and angled, so it can be slid onto the rods from above or from the front.

And at $34.99, it's a bargain gift as well!

Learn more about the Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Holdfast Camera Leash Leather Wrist Strap

Not every photographer wants or needs a neck strap or camera harness, so why not give them the gift of a tough, useful, and gorgeous leather wrist strap? 

The Camera Leash by Holdfast is impeccably made and comes in a variety of materials, including bridle leather, water buffalo leather, American bison leather, and python skin. There are also several colors available to suit your favorite photographer’s specific tastes.

This strap is multi-functional, too.

Use it to carry your keys and attach them to a belt loop. Secure a water bottle to your backpack. Use two of them together to carry a third camera on the Holdfast MoneyMaker harness. There’s few products under $50 with that much functionality!

Plus, these things look absolutely incredible with fine details that scream, “I’m handcrafted!”

It’s a photography gift that your favorite photographer is sure to love. 

Learn more about the Holdfast Camera Leash

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount 

Does the photographer on your shopping list like to go out and adventure with their GoPro or other action cam?

I have the ideal gift idea for them - the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount.

This ingenious gadget is a comfortable grip for shooting handheld video as well as a handy tabletop stand (or a stand for any horizontal surface for that matter).

Furthermore, it has an integrated elastic cord so you can lash it to stationary objects (i.e., a lamp post) for super steady hands-free recording.

The mount has 360-degree movement so you can capture smooth video and easily position it for the ideal still image as well.

When used as a tabletop stand or lashed to a vertical surface, its four rubber feet keep it in place for anti-slip performance.

Perhaps best of all, it weighs just 4 ounces and fits in your pocket, so your favorite photographer can always have a stabilizing mount with them for their GoPro activities.

Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Snaptiles

If you’re in need of a killer photography gift, look no further than Snaptiles. Snaptiles are a patented Magnetic Photo Tile that is 8”x8”x1” and super lightweight.

This innovative system uses a single wall mount with a built-in level to anchor a central print to the wall. Then you can snap together the other tiles onto the first! The wall mount uses four adhesive strips that don’t damage the wall, yet offer all the support that’s needed to display up to 12 tiles. Just make sure you press down firmly for 10 seconds. You can also push in the 4 included thumb tacks for additional support, then mount up to 30 tiles on the first tile! Not a bad tradeoff for 4 little pin holes in your wall.

The process is simple: just attach the wall mount to the wall, mount the anchor tile to it, and then begin to create an array of mixed tiles by adding additional Snaptiles.

Each tile connects with strong magnets, so there’s no worry of the tiles sagging or slipping.

Best of all, though, this system enables you to swap images out as you get new photo tiles, rearrange them in the display, and create different shapes with an array of images.

It really couldn’t be any easier!

The images are printed on a premium SBS Acid Free archival paperboard to give you long-lasting durability. On top of that, the UV protective lamination on the tiles has a beautifully soft touch.

I just ordered 25 of these photo tiles for my son’s room. He loves art and he loves building, and I think he will love putting his Snaptiles together (with my help of course!) on his bedroom wall.

This isn’t just a great last-minute gift, but it’s also a fun project you can share with whomever you give them to. It’s a win-win!

Learn more about Snaptiles

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials

Ask any photographer, and they’ll probably tell you that the toughest part of photography to master is exposure.

All too often, you get photos that have highlights that are too bright or shadows that are much too dark. 

But by using the power of HDR photography - high dynamic range - photographers can combine multiple exposures into a single shot, thereby getting a well-exposed image throughout.

Photomatix Essentials by HDRsoft makes that process super easy with dozens of HDR settings and presets for getting the perfect HDR photo.

HDRsoft has even incorporated multiple HDR styles to give photographers further control over how their HDR images look. Truly, creating eye-catching photos has never been easier! 

PLUS...HDRsoft is giving Photomatix Essentials away at the moment as part of their Quarantine Giveaway. You can’t get cheaper than free!

Learn more about HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials 

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Amazon Gift Card

Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?

Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?

Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you have given them carte blanche to get what they want, they'll be stoked!

With an Amazon gift card, they can put the card amount towards whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!

As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card.

Learn more about Amazon gift cards

 

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^{Photo by SDI Productions via iStock}

If you're looking for the ideal gift for the photographer on your holiday shopping list, but you have a smaller budget of $50, don't worry - there are plenty of gift ideas for photographers for 2021.

In our latest collection of gifts for photographers, we have all sorts of useful gadgets that any photographer will love.

From a camera wrist strap to photo restoration services to beautiful metal prints, you can't go wrong with these options!

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Artbeat Studios HD Metal Print

If you ask me, one of the best gifts for photographers is a print of one of their favorite photos. It's a great way to honor their craft while also giving them a gift that truly keeps on giving!

And I know what you're thinking...metal prints for under $50 must be pretty low quality. Happily, though, that's just not the case!

Artbeat Studios is known as an industry leader for high-quality metal prints. One of the reasons for this is because Artbeat Studios’ HD metal prints have the image heat infused directly into the metal. The result is unsurpassed resolution and color vibrancy.

Metal is a gorgeous substrate for all manner and type of photos, too. The crisp, clean detail and modern look is just what the doctor ordered for highlighting a beautiful image.

What’s more, Artbeat Studios uses Chromaluxe® brand aluminum sheets. This brand of aluminum has a 3x better permanence than Kodak Silver Halide Prints and resists fading for more than 65 years. So not only is an HD metal print a great gift for this holiday season, but it’s a gift that will keep on giving for decades!

You can also customize the look of the print by choosing different finishes, surfaces, and mounts. One of the newest additions to the options list is the textured matte surface for a true fine art look. 

Whatever options you choose, the result is a breathtaking and custom print that your favorite photographer is sure to love that won't bust your budget!

Learn more about Artbeat Studios’ HD Metal Prints

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Holdfast Camera Leash Leather Wrist Strap

If you really want to impress the photographer on your list, you might think about gifting them a beautiful (and functional!) camera strap.

A prime option is the strap shown above and below - the Holdfast Camera Leash.

As you can see, this camera strap is made of the finest materials, including high-quality leather and stainless steel hardware. There are multiple colors to choose from as well, so you can customize the look of the strap to best fit the photographer on your list.

This strap is multi-functional, too.

Use it to carry your keys and attach them to a belt loop. Secure a water bottle to your backpack. Use two of them together to carry a third camera on the Holdfast MoneyMaker harness. There’s few products under $50 with that much functionality!

Plus, these things look absolutely incredible with fine details that scream, “I’m handcrafted!” - because they are! They're individually hand-tooled and painted in Oklahoma.

It’s a photography gift that your favorite photographer is sure to love!

Learn more about the Holdfast Camera Leash

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Octopus.Camera OctoPad

One of the best gifts you can give the photographer on your list is versatility, and that's exactly what the Octopus.Camera OctoPad delivers.

You can use the OctoPad with a camera, a light, a GoPro, a microphone - you name it! And unlike many other small stabilization devices, it doesn't collapse under the weight of the gear.

Instead, it offers a sturdy, stable base for photo and video equipment. It doesn't slide around, either, because of its non-slip mat design.

The OctoPad has a built-in male 1/4-20 inch threaded bolt for attaching accessories and a high-capacity removable ball head that also has an adjustable 1/4-20 inch threaded male bolt.

There’s even a built-in cable strap to keep cables from getting in your way and a clip grommet for attaching a lanyard to easily carry the OctoPad.

The functionality, size, portability, and price of the OctoPad are just too good to pass up. If you want to truly impress your favorite photographer this holiday season, serve up an OctoPad!

Learn more about the Octopus.Camera OctoPad

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: GoPro HERO9 Black Protective Housing

While GoPros are ruggedly built, having a little added protection will give your favorite photographer additional peace of mind that they can capture the action without worry about their camera.

This case was purpose-built to keep water, mud, dirt, and other debris from contacting the GoPro. In fact, it's waterproof down to 196 feet, so if the photographer on your list has deep-sea diving on their schedule, this GoPro accessory is a must!

The cover offers a skeleton backdoor that gives easy access to the touchscreen. It also enables improved audio capture.

The flat glass lens ensures that users can still get high-quality, sharp images whether they're above or below the water.

Likewise, they'' be able to see what they're doing thanks to the accessibility of the front LCD screen, even with the cover on.

And since it's an official GoPro accessory, you know it will fit the GoPro HERO9 like a glove!

Learn more about the GoPro HERO9 Protective Housing

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Snaptiles

A unique gift idea for the photographer on your holiday shopping list is Snaptiles.

Snaptiles are a patented Magnetic Photo Tile that is 8”x8”x1” and super lightweight.

What makes Snaptiles so unique is that they use a single wall mount that enables you to hang multiple prints without having to put tons of holes in the wall. Here's how it works:

• Place the wall mount on the wall and use the built-in level to anchor a central print to the wall.
• Then you can snap together the other tiles onto the first! The wall mount uses four adhesive strips that don’t damage the wall, yet offer all the support that’s needed to display up to 12 tiles.
• Just make sure you press down firmly for 10 seconds. You can also push in the 4 included thumb tacks for additional support, then mount up to 30 tiles on the first tile! Not a bad tradeoff for 4 little pin holes in your wall.

Each tile connects with strong magnets, so there’s no worry of the tiles sagging or slipping. Instead, they'll give your favorite photographer a clean, crisp photo display to enjoy year-round.

Best of all, though, this system enables you to swap images out as you get new photo tiles, rearrange them in the display, and create different shapes with an array of images.

It really couldn’t be any easier!

The images are printed on a premium SBS Acid Free archival paperboard to give you long-lasting durability. On top of that, the UV protective lamination on the tiles has a beautifully soft touch.

Aside from being well-made and easy to install, Snaptiles offers you the chance to enjoy designing wall displays with the photographer on your list. The manner in which you hang the tiles is really limited only by your imagination. It's a fun way to hang out and enjoy each other's company!

Learn more about Snaptiles

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: PhotoRepairPro

Why not give the gift of making old new again this year?

If the photographer on your list is anything like me, they likely have tons of old photos in boxes in the basement or the attic. Some of those photos have probably seen better days, too.

That being the case, a great gift idea is to have a photo restored to its original glory!

For $34.99, you can give your favorite photographer a repaired photo, including an online proof, a JPEG download, and two 5x7 prints of the image. You even get free shipping on the prints!

No matter if the original image is faded, has creases, or needs to be colorized, PhotoRepairPro has your back.

What's more, they'll improve portraits by removing glare from eyeglasses, smoothing skin, or even changing the background.

There are simply a wealth of possibilities for breathing new life into old memories!

Learn more about PhotoRepairPro

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials

Ask any photographer, and they’ll probably tell you that the toughest part of photography to master is exposure.

All too often, you get photos that have highlights that are too bright or shadows that are much too dark. 

But by using the power of HDR photography - high dynamic range - photographers can combine multiple exposures into a single shot, thereby getting a well-exposed image throughout.

Photomatix Essentials by HDRsoft makes that process super easy with dozens of HDR settings and presets for getting the perfect HDR photo.

HDRsoft has even incorporated multiple HDR styles to give photographers further control over how their HDR images look. Truly, creating eye-catching photos has never been easier! 

Learn more about HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials

Gifts for Photographers under $50: Pre-Owned SanDisk 32GB Extreme PRO 300MB/s SDHC Card

Every photographer needs reliable memory cards, and multiple memory cards at that! 

With MPB's great deals on pre-owned memory cards, you can help the photographer on your list ensure they have the storage capacity they need without spending an arm and a leg.

This SanDisk Extreme PRO SDHC memory card offers up to 300MB/s transfer speeds and shot speeds up to 260MB/s. That kind of speed is what photographers demand!

These cards aren't just ideal for photography, either...

They offer sustained video capture of 30MB/s with up to 128GB of full HD video and cinema-quality 4K video.

In other words, these cards will give photographers the uncompromising performance they demand.

Learn more about the SanDisk Extreme PRO 32GB SDHC Memory Card

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

If the photographer on your list has a bunch of accessories for their camera, an Ikan Stratus Cage is all but a must.

And to make the Stratus cage even more functional, you can give the gift of a 15mm static lens support this holiday season.

The support attaches to the non-rotating part of a lens and helps support its weight.

With 7/8-inches of vertical leeway, this gadget can support a lens in a number of positions.

It's easy to use, too - one of the 15mm rod mounts is open and angled, so it can be slid onto the rods from above or from the front.

And at $34.99, it's a bargain gift as well!

Learn more about the Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support

Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Amazon Gift Card

Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?

Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?

Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you have given them carte blanche to get what they want, they'll be stoked!

With an Amazon gift card, they can put the card amount towards whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!

As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card.

Learn more about Amazon gift cards

 

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 ^{photo byEricVegavia iStock}

If you ask me, there are not enough business tips for real estate photographers readily available online. I’ve found in my personal experience that real estate photographers are especially cutthroat due to the difficulty in entering the industry.

But, I’ve always believed that you get what you give and we should all welcome beginners to the real estate photography game, especially in a real estate boom like our country is currently dealing with. There’s plenty of jobs to go around. 

With much effort, I’ve decided on my five most important business tips for real estate photographers that you can read all about below.  

Table of Contents:

• Build a Foundation of Photography Knowledge
• Set Yourself (and Your Clients) Up For Success
• Allocate Time for Marketing
• Don’t Give Too Many Freebies
• Get Paid in a Timely Fashion

Build a Foundation of Photography Knowledge

 ^{photo by Poike via iStock} 

Marketing yourself in any industry is difficult, but marketing yourself in an art-forward industry is impossible without art knowledge to begin with. 

There are conventions, networking groups and industry-leader discussions for almost every industry, yet the photography industry is lacking these basic tools for photographers looking to break into real estate photography.

It seems that business tips for real estate photographers are few and far between and most real estate photographers had to figure out how to do it themselves. 

Thankfully, I recently came across a site that truly helps you build the basics of real estate photography

Real Estate Photographer Pro is an excellent resource for photographers of all skill levels. It helps photographers in the real estate industry connect with other real estate photography professionals, learn how to edit their photos with the perfect templates (that you can directly download from the site), and learn all of the basics from traditional classroom-like videos.

In fact, this site even hosts weekly Q & A’s with a group of real estate photographers who make upwards of $1 million a year. This type of mentorship is something that is not easy to come by in such a dog-eat-dog industry, and it’s also something I still appreciate today, years into my career. 

It’s important to remember that you won’t get very far in the industry without direct connections - the type of direct connections built directly into this course offering. 

Set Yourself (and Your Clients) Up For Success

 ^{photo by kate_sept2004 via iStock} 

We all know clients can be… particular. But, these clients are especially particular when they are high-powered realtors.  

And by “particular” I mean trying to get whatever they want out of you. Out of all of my real estate photography business tips, I think this is the most pertinent: you need to stand your ground and set clear goals and clear expectations. 

This way you won’t disappoint your clients, but you also won’t disappoint your family by constantly working overtime for someone who is too demanding. 

 ^{photo by Kerkez via iStock} 

Before you even form your business, you should be thinking about the exact terms you want to set in your contract. 

Contracts are the most important way for you to communicate the reality of your work to your clients, whether they’ve never worked with a real estate photographer before or whether they have hundreds of times. 

You should also think of the contract as more of a process than a piece of legalese that is “one and done.” While the legalese may save you from a court date in the future, you should also have all of the information in your contract broken down into easy-to-understand text that you can send in an email.

For example, important parts of the contract you may want to reiterate include: your net terms (when you need to be paid by), your fees for additional photos, editing work, and last minute requests, and exactly what types of photos and how many of them your client can expect by the end of their transaction. 

This will save you - and your client - a lot of frustration down the road. If there are any real estate photography tips you need to be worried about, it’s this one. 

Learn More:

• The Importance of Learning New Skills as a Photographer
• 6 Tips for Improving Your Photography

>

Allocate Time for Marketing

Focal Point Photography LLC has an incredible video about viral marketing on Facebook, and while this information is useful it isn’t as useful as making sure you set aside time each week for marketing. 

I oftentimes find that real estate photographers forget to market because they’re so caught up in all of the different aspects of running a business. Once your real estate photography career is established enough to keep you busy full time, the tendency is to stop networking, to stop social media marketing and to stop tracking your marketing efforts at all. 

^{photo by Chainarong Prasertthai via iStock} 

But, while you may have a full schedule, you could be shooting for bigger and better clients, but you’ll never get there without a concerted marketing effort. 

Concerted marketing means not only having a marketing tactic, but tracking this tactic through the weeks to determine what platforms have worked for you and which have not. 

Real estate photography marketing can be intimidating for newcomers, though, which is another specialization that Real Estate Photographer Pro can help you with. They’ve done it before, so you don’t have to. 

Don’t Give Too Many Freebies

^{photo by Zerborvia iStock} 

The next time I see someone include freebies in their list of business tips for real estate photographers, I may lose it.

Freebies devalue our work. They devalue the industry, and they devalue you as an individual. You spent time learning your art, just like a nurse or a professor, and need to be compensated fairly, no matter if the market is oversaturated or not. 

One frustrating thing that I see given away for free all the time is additional editing work.

This video by Pro EDU Photography Tutorials shows you how retouchers price their work, so that you can base your own editing work off of it.  

Clients will always ask you if you could just edit one last thing out of a photo, or if you could do something last minute before they hand the photos off tomorrow morning, and when you give an inch they might take a mile.  

Appreciate your work for what it is - work - and price it accordingly. 

Related to this issue of editing work is this - don’t make it so hard on yourself.

^{Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash} 

You often hear in other genres of photography that you should strive to get the shot right in-camera, that way the editing process is more about enhancing the beauty that’s already there and less about trying to correct mistakes. The same holds true for real estate photography.

One of the most common challenges for real estate photographers is overcoming dynamic range problems - in other words, photographing rooms that are a little dark, but have super bright windows.

When you try to photograph a room like this in a single shot, you’ll find that the camera either exposes for the bright windows, thereby leaving the room underexposed, or exposes for the room, thereby leaving the window overexposed.

The solution to this problem is simple, though - bracket your exposures and merge them together!

The video above offers a nice demonstration of how bracketing works. It literally takes a few seconds to set up, but it will save you all kinds of time on the back end of things. 

Instead of having one frame, you’ll have multiple shots of the room, each at different exposure levels. Then, you merge those shots together for a final image that is well-exposed throughout.

Not only does this get you a better-looking image, but it also saves you tons of time - you don’t have to try to bring down the highlights or bring up the shadows to see the detail in the room. It’s there already!

Get Paid in a Timely Fashion

 ^{Photo by Matthew Kwong on Unsplash}

For some reason, I never see payment clearly discussed in lists about business tips for real estate photographers...and it is frustrating.

For one, I don’t understand why so many real estate photographers are stuck in the past. It is 2020. You should have at least 5 ways for your clients to pay you for your work. 

Use technology to your advantage so that your net 60 terms can come down to a net 30 or, hopefully, net 15. 

I personally use PayPal, Venmo, Square, Google Pay and Zelle’s QuickPay to receive payments. 

And if you are one of the many real estate photographers who have yet to join the technology revolution, there’s no need to fret because Sleeklens did a video covering the two most popular: PayPal and Square. 

It takes about 5 minutes to set up an account on both of these sites and your client will never be upset with more options. 

Alright, that’s all for our business tips for real estate photographers. Take this advice, build a better business, and enjoy seeing your business flourish!

Learn More:

• How to Take Gorgeous Interior Real Estate Photos
• Critical Real Estate Photography Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make

 

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 ^{photo by hikesterson via iStock}

It’s human nature to make snap decisions in new situations. And though we’re told not to “judge a book by its cover,” when it comes to real estate, this happens all the time.

First impressions matter and they matter a lot. If a home looks great on the outside, but the inside is a messy disaster, potential buyers will simply turn around and walk right back out the front door. Learn more about photography ideas at home on our website PhotographyTalk.com.

Many people are visual learners, so they need to see the potential that a home offers. That’s where staging comes in. 

Whether you’re a real estate photographer, a realtor, or selling your home on your own, these home staging tips will get the property well-prepared for photos.

Home Staging Tips: Start With Decluttering

 ^{Photo by Alvaro de la Rica on Unsplash}

You can show off all the amenities a home has to offer if potential buyers can’t see anything through the clutter and mess. That’s why decluttering is an important first step.

Some people take decluttering to mean that they need to all but move out of the home while it’s for sale. This is simply not the case!

Instead, decluttering is all about paring things down. This includes removing personal items (like family photos) and replacing them with art. Doing so helps remove some of the owner’s personality from the home and helps potential buyers see themselves living there.

^{Photo by Timothy Buck on Unsplash}

Removing unneeded furniture pieces is also an important step. This is particularly important if the home has smaller rooms because the more furniture there is, the smaller the rooms will appear in photographs.

Likewise, it’s a good idea to declutter closets and cabinets and remove any items that won’t be needed for a while (like winter clothes from a closet when it’s summer). Again, this helps give the impression that there is ample storage space in the home rather than overstuffed closets and cabinets.

Quick Tip: Also declutter kitchen counters, credenzas, and other horizontal surfaces. In the kitchen, find a place for small appliances inside cupboard, that way when photos are taken, there appears to be more counter space.

How to Prep a Home for Photography: Clean, Clean, Clean

^{photo by rina88w via iStock}

 Once the process of decluttering is complete, it’s time to clean the home.

Cleaning the home before photos are taken is absolutely critical, especially in the kitchens and bathrooms.

Real estate photos - good ones, anyway - will be clear, bright, and sharply in focus. That means that fingerprints on appliances, water spots on bathroom mirrors, and dirty clothes stashed in a corner of a kid’s room will be on full display. You can also view another post about photography projects.

 ^{photo by akurtz via iStock}

Kitchens and baths shouldn’t be the only areas that get a deep clean, though.

If possible, have carpeting in the home professionally cleaned or do it yourself by renting carpet cleaning equipment. Other flooring like tile or hardwoods should be swept and mopped, or in the case of hardwoods, swept with a microfiber cloth to pick up dirt, dust, and other debris. 

All the windows and glass doors in the home should be cleaned (both inside and out). Dust the window sills and jambs, and dust blinds and vacuum drapes.

Quick Tip: Wipe down door knobs, appliances, light switches, and any other surfaces that are touched often and are likely to become dirty.

Staging a Home: Let There Be Light  

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That being the case, all window blinds and curtains should be open to flood the home with sunlight.

To supplement that natural light, turn on every light in the home - even during the daytime. This will help give the interior spaces of the home an open, bright and inviting feel. Besides, the more light, the larger the spaces will feel.

Quick Tip: Ensure you get well-exposed interior photographs by bracketing the exposures and merging them in post-processing. Doing so enables you to produce final images that show all the necessary details in a room from shadows to highlights.

Don’t Overstage the Property  

 ^{Photo by Rhema Kallianpur on Unsplash}

Staging a home for photos is not the same as redecorating the home. That is, in most cases, homes simply need to be freshened up to put their best foot forward, not completely redone.

With that in mind, adding a few key accessories to rooms throughout the home will do wonders for making it more appealing. You can also check another post about photography at home.

In the living room, new throw pillows with bright pops of color will liven up seating areas. A vase of flowers on a fireplace mantel will draw attention to the fireplace while making the room smell nice too.

^{photo by dit26978 via iStock}

The dining room can be staged for a meal, with place settings and napkins positioned at each seat. A centerpiece to add height to the table is a nice touch that can showcase the size and space of the room.

In the bathroom, clean, crisp, white towels will give the space a spa-like feel. New bath mats can freshen up the floor as well.

Bedrooms will benefit from beds that have freshly cleaned linens and a perfectly made bed. Again, add pops of color with pillows or fresh flowers in a vase on the bedside table. 

Quick Tip: A little color goes a long way in real estate photography. Resist the urge to go overboard with color, and instead have just one or two pops of color in each room, preferably on or near a feature to which you’d like to draw the attention of potential buyers.

Final Thoughts: Staging for Real Estate Photography

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Staging a home for photos is a process that must begin well before you take photos. And while decluttering, cleaning, and staging the home for impact will take time, in the end, the payoff is huge.

Staged homes tend to get more traffic from potential buyers, and some studies even show that staged homes sell for more money.

That makes staging a critical aspect of real estate photography, and shouldn’t be considered optional.

With the bulk of homebuyers starting their searches online, it’s important that real estate photos are top-notch. By following these simple home staging tips, you will be able to help showcase properties in a way that makes them attractive to buyers.

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^{photo byKatarzynaBialasiewicz via iStock}

Spring is one of the best times of the year for real estate photography. The snow is melting, so yards look prettier. Flowers add a pop of color to homes that are otherwise drab (I’m looking at you, HOA-enforced suburbs). Plus, people are more willing to move because the weather is nicer so there are a ton of people on the market for a new house.  

Homeowners need tips for photographing real estate too. Your real estate photographer can’t do much if you have piles of trash in your yard or windows that nobody can see through. If you are selling your home, here are some great spring cleaning tips that homeowners can do to help make their homes look as beautiful as possible in real estate photos. 

Make Sure Your Roof Is Clean

^{photo byghornephoto via iStock}

This is one of the more difficult spring cleaning tips for real estate photography, so don’t be ashamed to ask for help if you need it. 

You’ll need to either power wash your roof or sweep it to get all of the leaves and debris off of it. If you have large, mature trees in your yard, this may be the last step you want to take to prevent more leaves from falling. 

And, after you sweep your roof, make sure to clean out the gutters as well. It’s fine details like this that are going to make your real estate photography more appealing than anyone else’s in your neighborhood.

 

Recommended Real Estate Photography Reading:

• The Business of Real Estate Photography: A Comprehensive Guide to Starting your own Real Estate Photography Business
• Photographing Real Estate Interiors and Architecture: A Comprehensive Guide to Equipment, Technique and Workflow for Real Estate Photography

 

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What to Do About the Driveway 

^{photo by welcomia via iStock} 

Hose down the driveway and your walkways while you’re at it. As cute as your children’s chalk drawings are, they probably won’t add much value to your home. 

Roll up your garden hose and put it away.  

You’ll also need to hide your trash cans. This one is a little more difficult since they’re large and you can’t simply stuff them in your junk drawer. Either ask your neighbor to hold them for you for the day or move them as the photographer works. Either way, nasty trash bins aren’t going to do photos of your property any favors.

Learn More:

• 3 Real Estate Photography Cameras to Consider for 2020
• How to Take Gorgeous Interior Real Estate Photos

Don’t Forget About Landscaping

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A lot of tips for photographing real estate leave out what I think is the most important portion of your house’s exterior: the landscaping.

Firstly, rake any leaves lying around in your yard that are decomposing. They may be cute in the autumn, but by this point they’re all dead.

Secondly, think about bringing some new life to your house by planting flowers or other bright plants. 

Thirdly, re-mulch your flower beds (if you have them). Flower beds make for a beautiful photograph when they strongly contrast with the other colors in your yard, which means you need brand-new mulch.  

Some Miscellaneous Tasks

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Clean your windows. I can’t reiterate this point enough. People don’t typically include this item in their exterior real estate photography tips because it’s also so important for photographing the inside of your home, but dirty windows are a huge turn off. 

You’ll also want to powerwash the siding on your home, especially if your home is painted a bright color. 

Finally, get rid of cobwebs hiding in the corners. Nothing says welcome home like spider webs all over the front porch! 

Taking Photos Yourself? Make It Easier!

^{photo by baona via iStock} 

If you’re taking photos of your home on your own, there are plenty of things you can do to make the final results much better.

Aside from having the right gear and a shot list for the interior and exterior spaces, you need to understand how to use natural light to get the best shots 

If you head outside and take photos of your home in the middle of the day, you’ll find that the sunlight is very intense. This results in bright highlights and deep shadows that distract from the charm and beauty of your home.

To get around this, you can bracket the exposures and merge them to create a composite image that’s well-exposed throughout.

In the video above, you can learn how to bracket exposures quickly and easily. The tutorial focuses on interior real estate photography, but the process is the same for photographing exteriors.

Merging these images together can be a quick and easy task as well.

In the video above, you can see how to merge images using Photomatix Pro. Again, the tutorial is for interior photography, but the process is the same for shooting photos of the exterior.

Using this approach, you will be empowered to take far better photos of your home, and the better the photos, the more interested buyers you will have!

Learn More:

• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Interiors
• Best Camera Settings for Real Estate Photography Exteriors

 

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Here are some post-processing tips for real estate photography to help you be comfortable with how to edit real estate photos. We’ll include several editing tips for real estate photography plus how to improve your real estate photography workflow. 

Editing real estate photos can be surprisingly simple when the images are shot properly in the first place, so we’ll start with that tip first.

Shoot In RAW Format

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Whenever shooting with any sort of editing in mind, I find it’s best to shoot in RAW file format. RAW files hold much more exposure information than JPEGs, especially in regards to shadow detail.  

Also, RAW files are uncompressed, so you are working with the entire image detail provided by the camera's sensor. As with most other photographic, audio, or video work, it’s a preferred practice to record in the highest quality available and then edit down the file quality and size to the need for the job at hand. 

In addition to recording in the RAW format of your camera, you might also check if you can record in a higher bit depth. This helps to increase color depth and the dynamic range of the exposure. In 12-bit RAW, each sensor pixel can record 4,096 steps or levels, while a 14-bit RAW file can hold 16,384 steps in each pixel. Quite a difference.

You’ll probably never need to deliver a full resolution image file to a realty client, but as I said earlier, when learning how to edit real estate photos, or any photos actually, it’s a good practice to capture in the highest quality available and then edit down to whatever image file type and size is preferred.

Bracket and Merge Method

^{photo byLucas Ribeiro Avila via iStock}

The HDR technique, also known as the bracket and merge method, is one of the preferred methods of capturing the image files for editing real estate photos. It adds a little bit to your real estate photography workflow, but it actually saves time in the long run by easing up the time spent editing real estate photos.

To see how to edit real estate photos with the bracket and merge HDR method, check out this excellent YouTube video explaining the method and workflow. There’s a nice tutorial here you can follow, too. 

This technique of bracket and merge HDR is also a very valuable tool for many other genres of photography. You can play around with the settings a lot for an artsy rendition or process for a natural look and feel. 

Learn More:

• What Makes Real Estate Photos Look Good?
• The Challenges of Real Estate Photography

Color Balance For a Natural Look

^{photo byluchschen via iStock}

Since you’re post-processing with a program that blends bracket and merge image files for editing real estate photos, you’ll want to keep an eye on the color balance and naturalness of the final image output. 

Besides the adjustments for contrast and several styles of presets, the color balance is a very important consideration. 

When blending the HDR image files for real estate photography, there will be several different color temperatures in each image. An incandescent lightbulb has a warm color balance, window light isn’t as warm but can vary depending on the time of day but is often going to be much cooler, more like the temp of skylight or open shahid. Flood and fluorescents have yet another color temperature. 

Blending it all together is controlled by program controls for color, blending modes, and contrast levels. The exposure values get blended in these steps as well, making the bracket and merge post-processing program an essential part of the real estate photography workflow.

Remove Noise

^{photo byalengo via iStock}

The last step, or near the last step, of how to edit real estate photos, whether using bracket and merge processing, RAW files or JPEGs, but before sampling down to the image type and size for delivery, is to remove the digital noise from the finished file.

Many programs have an automatic setting for this which really simplifies the real estate photography workflow for processing, although you can input any value you want at this stage.  

A word of wisdom, the presets built into most post-processing programs are very well balanced, we can actually do too much adjusting to the different aspects of noise removal when we start adjusting on our own.

Final Steps

^{photo byCOMiCZ via iStock}

The final steps in our workflow are resizing and compressing to the resolution, file size, and file type needed for delivery to either your client or to your own MLS listing site if shooting as a real estate agent for your own listings. 

Be sure to keep the full resolution processed image files for accessing later on as necessary. 

Learn More:

• Real Estate Photography Staging Tips
• Photography for Realtors

 

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