The Front of House photo is the most important. Take numerous shots from different angles and distances. Time of day may be critical depending on solar exposure. Sometimes you can frame the shot with foliage. Minimize driveways and garages unless they are sensational.
Turn all the Interior Lights on, day or night.
Consider the Time of Day even for interior shots. Some homes simply do not show well in morning photos. Some homes get too much late afternoon glare.
You will probably need to Return for a second, or even third, photo session.
When Bright Light is blasting in from a window and you absolutely must shoot in that direction, and you can’t diminish the glare with blinds or curtains, try this. Point the camera to a non-glare area of the room, let the automatic exposure adjust for a few seconds, then quickly swing the camera up where you need the shot and click the shutter before the camera readjusts to the bright glare of the window. This works most of the time with inexpensive digital cameras when set to automatic.
Take photos from the Corners. This works especially well in living rooms, dens, family rooms, and bedrooms. Corner shots often result in interesting angles and typically make a room look a bit bigger,
Bathrooms. Good luck. Nothing works very well in small bathrooms. Maybe there is interesting tile work, or a garden tub. Do not photograph toilets.
Angles and Elevations are typically more interesting than straight-on shots. High angle shots (from a staircase, balcony, or even a ladder) can yield spectacular photos. Low angle shots, likewise, can be effective, shooting up stairwells or at interesting upper story features.
Kitchen shots generate buyer interest. Take Multiple Kitchen shots from lots of different vantage points (including high angle). If tactful and easy, clear most of the “stuff” off the counter tops so that the kitchen looks brand new.
Avoid Gilding the Lily. Photography that makes the house look much better than it actually is . . . will backfire when buyers arrive and are disappointed in the reality.
But, a couple of Artsy-Fartsy shots never hurt anybody. Try using arches or doorways to frame shots. Shoot past beautiful art objects to provide a rich depth of field. Get closeups of lovely features, man-made and natural. A photo of the owl who lives in the tree, or the otters who swim in the cove, or the sunset from the deck, or the pretty elm-lined street, or the intricate carving on the balustrade are nice to sprinkle among the more informational photos.
Photo by Cheryl Taylor.
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