31 July 2019

HOW TO SHOOT A HOUSE FROM START TO FINISH

Introduction

There’s no doubt, photographing an entire property from start to finish can feel like a daunting process. You might have a small window of time to capture every area of the house, finding the right angles can seem like an impossible task and the pressure of showcasing the property to its potential can all get a bit too much.

These are common challenges people within the real estate industry face every day, and our co-founder Brad Filliponi was no different when he was a real estate photographer. But don’t despair, Brad has taken the time to put together a video demonstrating a property shoot from start to finish and highlighting his top tips to ensure you nail your property marketing.

In this blog, we will deconstruct Brad’s video and look at what it takes to prepare and shoot a property from the perspective of a photographer and how to make the most of their time when shooting your next listing. To demonstrate this, we will be photographing this beautiful four-bedroom, two-bathroom home worth $625,000.

Preparing The Home

Preparation is key when it comes to saving time and ensuring the photographer can get straight down to what they do best. We have a pre-photography checklist which is a must-read for anyone looking to get their listings prepared for a shoot.

 “It is the small details that can make all the difference when photographing a property. A good photographer will have a good eye for detail,” Brad Filliponi.

It might sound simple but removing your shoes when you enter the property will stop you from traipsing dirt into the home that may be obvious in the photos. While we are at the front of the house, take the time to open any windows as it frames the image of the façade better and open the front door.

Clutter can have a big impact on the overall feel of the finished shoot. To ensure the home feels clutter-free, hide any remotes, remove any unwanted items from dressers or bedside tables and leave the bedside table lights turned off if only one works.

While we’re in the bedrooms, it’s important to ensure the bedding is neat and the cushions are straight. In the bathrooms and ensuites, center the tapware, remove any excess towels and bath mats and hide all the shower items. We can also remove the photographer’s reflection from shower screens using our Image Enhancement edit.

Showcasing appliances is important so be sure to remove any tea towels or oven mitts and turn on the range hood light. Always try and hide any electrical cords where possible and switch on any lights and turn off any ceiling fans throughout the home.

Generally, it’s good practice to open any sliding doors and windows but be sure to pull down blinds to the top of the neighbors’ fence to block any distracting views. Outside, take some time to remove rubbish bins, toys, and accessories. Don’t stress too much if there’s outdated furniture around the pool, photos are usually taken from a wide-angle and they won’t be the feature.

Shooting The House

Whether you’re the one actually taking the photo or not, these tips will help ensure a great outcome from the shoot.

To create a sense of space, keep the doors wide open and shoot at eye level, sometimes this won’t be possible but it’s a great way to give perspective. Don’t be afraid to shoot from multiple angles to give options during editing and work from front to back of the home so you know where you’re up to.

Turn the flash on (except when shooting the bathroom) and shoot brackets to get multiple exposures of the one shoot. We have a blog on bracketing here if you’re unfamiliar with how to do this in a property.

It’s a great idea to include part of the front door when shooting the entryway to better frame the shot and try to include as many areas as possible in one shot to allow buyers to see more from fewer images.

There’s no doubt clutter-free is best, however, we can remove unwanted items using our Item Removal edit.

For that amazing hero exterior shot, use your hand for shade if the sun is out to ensure the light doesn’t affect the image. And before you leave, do one last walk-through to check you captured everything.

“Bracketing is your best friend in real estate photography,” Brad Filliponi.

Conclusion

Presentation is everything when it comes to perfectly capturing the magic of your listing. It’s the little details that make all the difference. Take the time to make the small changes and your marketing will soar to a whole new level.

If you have any questions about preparing or shooting a property, contact us and we can provide tips to get you where you need to be.

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