You know what they say: “A picture is worth a thousand words.” In real estate, it might just be worth thousands of dollars, too. Whether you’re a real estate agent, a homeowner listing your property, or a photographer diving into the housing market, understanding how to capture great photos can make or break your listing.
That’s why high-quality, well-composed real estate photography isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must. This blog has 8 real estate photography tips that can help elevate your listings, attract more buyers, and ultimately lead to quicker, better sales.
1. Use the Right Gear (but Don’t Overthink It)
You don’t need a Hollywood production setup to take great real estate photos. But the right tools can make a world of difference.
Recommended gears:
A DSLR or mirrorless camera with manual settings.
A wide-angle lens (around 16-24mm for full-frame cameras) to capture more of the room.
A sturdy tripod to avoid blurry shots.
Optional: External flash or light reflectors for dark rooms.
If you’re just starting, you can use the best quality settings on your iPhone and get professional-quality pictures. Or if you are already a very successful realtor and have money to invest, you can go for the latest model with a good wide-angle lens and always shoot in high resolution.
2. Lighting Can Make or Break a Shot
Natural light is your best friend in real estate photography. Aim to shoot during the day, ideally mid-morning or early afternoon, when sunlight is soft but plentiful.
Pro tips:
Open all curtains and blinds to let natural light flood in.
Turn on all interior lights to even out shadows.
Avoid shooting directly toward windows unless you know how to handle exposure correctly.
You can consider using HDR mode (High Dynamic Range) or bracketed exposures that you can blend during editing.
3. Declutter. Then Declutter Some More.
Even the most beautiful homes can look messy in photos if there’s visual clutter, and as a realtor, it is your job to make sure that your buyers don’t see this.
Before you start shooting:
Remove personal items like photos, toys, or fridge magnets.
Clear kitchen countertops and bathroom counters.
Tuck away cords, remotes, trash bins, and anything that distracts the eye.
The goal is to help buyers imagine their life in the space. And that’s hard to do when your cat’s litter box is front and center.
4. Mind the Angles
Shooting from the wrong angle can make a room feel cramped or distorted.
The best angle? Eye-level or slightly below eye-level, about 4 to 5 feet off the ground. This perspective keeps the lines of the room straight and natural.
Extra tip: Always shoot from the corners of a room rather than straight-on. This gives depth and makes the space feel larger and more inviting.
5. Shoot in Landscape Orientation
Real estate platforms and MLS listings typically use horizontal images. Shooting in landscape format ensures your photos fill the frame and present well online.
Of course, you can take a few vertical shots for social media stories or Instagram reels, but your primary gallery should be landscape for maximum visual appeal.
6. Capture the Flow of the Home
Don’t just take random shots of each room. Think like a buyer walking through the house.
Start at the entrance, then move through the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, and finally the backyard or balcony. This helps create a narrative that makes it easier for buyers to visualize themselves in the space.
Bonus tip: You can include transition areas like hallways, staircases, or reading nooks, they add character and help buyers understand the layout.
7. Virtual Staging is Your Superpower
Sometimes, even after all your efforts, a room still feels “meh.” That’s where virtual staging can transform your listing.
You can digitally furnish empty rooms, add décor, or change wall colors—without spending a rupee on physical furniture. This not only helps buyers visualize the potential of the space but also creates a more engaging browsing experience online.
Just be transparent. Let buyers know if an image is virtually staged, and never digitally alter the structural reality of the property.
Use Smart Tools Like Deco to Stay Ahead
Photography is just one piece of the real estate marketing puzzle. But when done right, it can significantly influence buyer interest, shorten listing time, and even increase selling price.
If you’re looking to go a step further and virtually stage or design your spaces online with ease, check out Deco. It’s an intuitive platform that lets you experiment with different interior looks, stage empty rooms virtually, and enhance your listings with beautiful, customized visuals.
Ready to transform your listings?
Experience the power of AI-driven virtual staging with Deco.
