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When the time comes to sell or rent a property there are multiple checklists involved of what needs to happen prior to showing to potential buyers/renters. Although photography and the likes of photographs in general is subjective, there are key elements that are necessary to standardise the home photography process.
You might think that the basic equipment alone would be a huge investment, but need not worry! You can more than likely, successfully, photograph areas of your home with the minimal equipment you have—if you work with appropriate lighting. Lighting is, after all, the basis of any photographic practices. From the proper equipment, to 'setting' and working with lighting and furniture arrangements, we have a great list compiled for you to help you get started on your first in-home photography shoot for showing!
First and foremost, prepare the house! What a lot of homeowners do is hire 'stagers,' professionals or designers that can come in for weeks or months at a time, with rented furnishings and decor to make the house look to the best of their ability!
Now, this can be somewhat expensive depending on your area, and what you're particularly looking for. Most homeowners can manage to do this themselves, however if you're showing before a previous tenant has moved, this can be difficult, as the current homeowners belongings will still be present. It is best to take photographs of a property in-between tenants as you can stage the property correctly and to it's full potential.
Think about everything from new and clean furnishings, to making open space and don't forget the furnishings and great decor! The smallest details will make or break this experience for potential buyers!
Here is a great example of a properly prepared bedroom that is ready for showing—look at how the lighting works in the space with the perfectly made bed and accessories!
The basic equipment you will need to shoot photographs of your home is a camera (preferably a good quality DSLR,) a good flash and if you can get your hands on some reflectors to highlight certain elements that is great too.
A lot of photographers like using wide-angle lenses when shooting larger spaces in homes—this is a great idea, however, remember that wide-angle lenses can prove to be a bit deceiving in that they will distort the overall view of the room.
The most important 'basic equipment' you will need is the right lighting—and this can be achieved with a combination of both natural and artificial lighting working together with your angles.
When photographing any space in your home, open the sheers and curtains and let natural light flood the room. Choose particular times to photograph your space, most photographers see the evening hours just before sundown as the right time—when the light is less bright and seems to have an orange hue to it.
In order to find this ’right time’ to take pictures, look at the clock for a few days and study the time from abut 15-20 minutes before the sun sets each night, watch how the light hits certain elements of the room and be sure the right areas are highlighted. If you have great bookshelves and furniture, like pictured here, choose the brightest time of day (usually around noon, when the sun is higher) to accentuate the whole room!
This dining area was shot with the perfect lighting features that highlight just the right areas of both the kitchen and the dining room. If you pay to have great highlight features in your home, make sure you let them be seen in your photography session!
Some tips we can provide are as follows:
Open all curtains and sheers, use as much light as possible before you decide to use any artificial lighting
Make sure hardwood floors and all areas are thoroughly dusted—natural light tends to show dust in both the air and on furnishings
Try as much as you can to keep everything simple and minimal, even slightly overdoing it will cause a space to look too cluttered
Take shots of larger rooms from a corner or diagonal angle—for rooms with architectural elements (dark beams and windows) take shots from a straight view as to let the elements show
Here is a larger living room shot from a straight forward angle that properly displays the versatility of the room!
If all else fails, you feel overwhelmed, or the picture quality is below what you expected—it is best to hire a professional or ask a photographer to come along. After all, the way you display and represent your home could be the difference between someone deciding to buy or rent, and this is serious business.
We all have looked at homes online to either rent or buy, and you often wonder how many great properties you've decided to forego because the pictures were pixelated, or bad quality, or the staging made the place look like a mess. A professional should be able to help you out with this for minimal costs. Also try to find inspirations online and in home magazines as well!
Last, but definitely not least, photogrpahing the exterior of your home should always be included when trying to appeal to potential buyers and renters. Of course, here you must work with the weather and climate of your particular region, and if need be, you can use pre existing photographs from warmer and sunnier times. Just make sure when using older photographs that they are still a truthful portrayal of the property.
If you choose a picture from nicer weather and are showing in the fall or winter, make sure before you let potentials enter the home that you explain how beautiful the property can be in the summer months. Be knowledgeable about the exterior elements, such as the roof, existing plants and any issues that have occurred with previous homeowners! And don't forget to tell them about newer additions that can raise the property value!
