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
We are sharing our secret tips on how to take professional images for bedrooms. These might be the key tricks to getting your next listing sold faster!
READ MOREUsing a house currently on the market, our Co-founder Brad Filliponi is going to demonstrate how to shoot a property using his key tips to help sell a home quicker.
READ MOREThe list that keeps on giving. Our enormously popular Pre-Photography checklist is intended to be used with every new house a photographer must shoot. Here we’ll show you how it can save bundles of time and pave the way to much stronger marketing materials. Discover why the checklist has become our most downloaded document.
READ MOREWant your pool photos to stop the scroll? Make a splash with these 9 edits that create standout, summery vibes — boost your listing’s appeal, attract more buyers or renters, and get it sold or rented in no time.
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 MOREElevate your real estate game with Virtual Staging using your iPhone and the SnapSnapSnap app. Brad, our co-founder and photography pro, shares his top tips for setting up, capturing, and editing stunning visuals that will make your listings irresistible to buyers.
READ MORE