From A Photographers Perspective

Checking those Corners

Everyone likes the photos to reflect the actual floor space available in a room. The best way to make sure that happens is to do a "corner check."

Does the photographer have easy access to at least two opposing corners in each room to be shot? What features of the house will the photographer see from those viewpoints?

Imagine the photographer standing in the corner, composing the photo. Are there any large objects within two to three feet of the photographer which might partially block their view of the room? (dresser bureaus, large floor plants, stereo equipment, bookcases, etc).

Sometimes large pieces of furniture cannot be moved, such as a dining room china cabinet! But moving smaller piece, plants and other accessories can allow for the photographer to capture as much visible space as possible. Definitely attractive to the potential buyer!

When Less is More...

The perception of space and roominess is a great selling point. For some tips on how to show rooms through images with this in mind...

Less is More

Make sure counters in bathrooms and kitchens are bare, with only a few accent pieces. Remove magnets from the refrigerator, and check to see that there is as much open floor space in each room as possible (consider picking up small floor rugs, hiding trash cans, and removing extra chairs from the dining room).

The goal is twofold:

1) to draw the viewers attention to the physical features of the home and

2) to create images that show the room or space at its largest size.

I have on occasion taken photographs of very lovely homes filled with beautiful antiques and gorgeous furniture of every shape and size. Unfortunately, while these homes were very pleasing to the eye, it did not translate to the camera. The final images looked busy--too much information! And unfortunately the actual marketable features of the rooms were often difficult to see.

Too Much Space

Ideally we want to make it easy for the potential buyer to imagine how their furniture will look in each room. But in some cases, too much empty space can be a bad thing, a vacant house, for example. When the potential buyer looks at photos of empty rooms, the sense of proportion/ perspective is more difficult to visualize.

In these instances, consider adding a small table, or a couple of chairs to the room. A large potted plant in a corner, a book case, or a rocking chair also can fill that empty space. Watch out for those broad and curving countertops. They will show better with a vase of flowers or a brightly colored bowl of fruit. Something simple to add interest to the scene is what you are looking for.

Some Staging Standards

Producing Quality Real Estate Photography takes a team effort. Staging is crucial to getting those beautiful interior and exteriors!  Below are a few things you may want to consider when getting ready for your photography shoot.

Time of Day for Your Photo Shoot

Often the entire shoot must be completed in 30 minutes or less. Based on this limiting factor, typically the best time of day for a realty photo shoot is between 10am and 2pm when the sun is at it's highest and the most natural light is available for the widest variety of shots. 

Looking for a great main exterior shot of the front of the house? Consider doing this photo separately either in the morning or late afternoon to take advantage of natural sidelighting which can create depth and drama in an image.

Lighting the Room

Are drapes pulled back and blinds open? Lots of ambient light often helps to improve the overall quality of the picture. Typically, the more natural daylight in the room, the better your photographs will look. Sunrooms are a great example of this. The only exception to this rule occurs when you have intense morning or late afternoon sunlight streaming into the room through multiple windows or through one small window. It may be best to close or adjust the blinds for more diffuse interior lighting in these cases.

Each situation is different and photographers use different work methodologies, so it is best to discuss this particular instance with your photographer at the time of the shoot.

For information on rates and availability contact Sue at (410)259-2213 or sue@izardphoto.com.