Capture Tips
Here are some helpful pro tips for capturing great real estate photos, gathered from expert real estate photographers. Whether you're a real estate agent, home owner or an actual photographer, these techniques will help you capture images that we can make even better.
Natural Lighting Is Best
We will work with your photo no matter how dark or underexposed it may appear. However, the more natural light you can let into a house the better the photo will look. Opening curtains and blinds is always better than using only light from lights and lamps. If you have an issue with glaring sun or a directionally bright light, use your finger to block it and we will automatically detect and remove your finger.
Steady As She Goes
New phone technology and many cameras now have built in stabilization. But the darker a space is, the harder it is for these features to work. If you are capturing photos in a dark space, brace your elbows to your sides and keep both hands on your phone or camera. Stay perfectly still until it is finished capturing. If there is some slight blurring we will automatically detect and correct it for you.
Using Wide-Angle When Its Appropriate
For most cases the wide-angle setting on your phone or camera will work great. If you feel like your photo is too distorted on the sides, you may want to shoot at 1x (no zoom). Exterior photos of the house look better at 1x as the wide angle can capture too much space around it. Wide angle is good for exteriors when showcasing the yard or close up features. Really wide homes will look better with wide-angle zoom.
Shoot at the Right Height
Position your phone or camera at chest height (approximately 4-5 feet) for the most natural perspective. This height mimics how people naturally view a room when walking through. Shooting too high makes rooms feel small, while shooting too low creates an unnatural perspective. Keep the camera perfectly level - no tilting up or down. In kitchens try to always keep it above the bottom of the cabinets.
Shoot from Corners and Doorways
The best vantage points are usually room corners and doorways. Corner shots show two walls and give the best sense of room size and layout. Doorway shots show how spaces flow together. Include 2-3 walls in each shot when possible, and shoot looking into rooms rather than out of them to show destination spaces.
Remember, great real estate photography starts with great capture techniques. Even the best AI editing tools work better when you start with well-composed, properly lit photos. Apply these tips consistently and you'll see a significant improvement in your listing photos.