SHOOTING REAL ESTATE: OPEN OR CLOSED DOORS?
For many real estate photographers, it’s a burning question: to open the doors or not to open the doors? Some may think it’s a futile conundrum, but whether or not you open the doors in a home can actually make all the difference in the outcome of the photos.
The Short Answer...
Yes, you should open the doors.
Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Doors that hide clutter, personal belongings, or toilets are best kept closed, but otherwise, the simple act of opening a door can enhance the look and feel of a photo in a huge way.
Keep reading to find out why you should open those doors nice and wide at your next photo shoot.
Give a Sense of the Layout
Real estate photography should always aim to showcase the home to its full potential, but it can also provide useful context for potential buyers. Shooting a property with open doors can give the viewer a sense of how the rooms connect with each other. Closing them cuts off the important stuff.

Create an Open and Spacious Feel
Take any room from feeling closed off and stagnant to spacious and enticing by simply opening the doors. Doors to outdoor entertainment areas and backyards should be opened to add depth and give the impression of that desirable indoor-outdoor living flow.

Make it Warm and Inviting
In both real life and real estate photography, an open door is essentially an invitation to look further. Opening doors works wonders to extend a warm welcome, particularly for external shots of the home where you can see the front door. With the front door wide open, viewers can envision themselves entering the home after a day at work.
Level Up Your Photos
Opening doors is a simple action that is sometimes so easily overlooked while on a busy photo shoot, but it can make a lasting impression on potential buyers. It’s one of the first steps you can take to make your images go from run-of-the-mill to unforgettable.
For more tips on taking your own listing photos, learn how to shoot a property for under $20 and the 9 items that are hurting your listing.
New to BoxBrownie.com? Sign up now and receive 4 edits free. No credit card is needed.
RELATED ARTICLES
Want to know the dos and don'ts of using sky replacement in real estate photography? Learn how to ethically market property photos using this editing technique. Discover what's allowed, what's unethical, when to use it, and how it can benefit your property listings.
READ MOREPictures are worth a thousand words – and a whole lot of trust. Read to discover the ways real estate professionals can leverage photography to establish and strengthen client trust.
READ MOREAs you make your New Year’s resolutions, hit refresh on your property photography skills by resolving to not let common errors hold back the potential of your property listings. Explore our blog to discover frequently occurring photo blunders and learn how to fix them for stunning results.
READ MOREOur co-founder and professional photographer Brad Filliponi will answer all your photography questions. Discover expert tips, tricks, and techniques to enhance your real estate photography skills and capture stunning images.
READ MOREWinter, spring, summer, fall – this edit has it all! Our Season Change edit is back, now part of our Virtual Renovation service. Digitally swap seasons in your property photos to boost curb appeal, keep listings fresh and more. See how your listings can shine in any season!
READ MOREIn this blog, we put the two latest market-leading smartphones head-to-head when it comes to real estate photography. Who will come out on top? The Apple iPhone 12 or the Samsung GS20? Check out this blog to see which smartphone we recommend when shooting your latest listing.
READ MORE