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What is property photography? Beginner tips and the best ideas for property photoshoots

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Property photography

If you have a keen eye for design and you know how to capture it on camera, property photography could be for you. However, property photography (real estate photography) consists of several subsections, and it can be difficult to know where to start. 

If you’re stuck for property photography ideas, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we will go over:

    • Types of property photography
    • Property photography guide
    • Property photography techniques
    • Property photo tips

 

Property photography exterior

 

Types of property photography

To give you an idea of what work might suit you, here are the types of property photography.

Residential property photography

Residential photography is the photography of residential properties. Examples of property photography you see on a property website are residential. Residential photography covers apartments, single-family homes, townhouses, multi-family buildings of two to eight units, and luxury properties. Residential photographers would be expected to shoot the exterior and interior of the property and may be asked for aerial shots.

The clients for this kind of work are typically estate agents, as well as the odd private seller. It is easiest to find residential photography work as properties are regularly going to market. Creating a good relationship with an estate agent is a good idea because they are likely to think of you when they need their next property photographed.

Commercial property photography

Commercial property photography is the photography of commercial properties such as offices, warehouses, and shopping centres. As with residential property photography, commercial property photography clients are typically estate agents.

Architectural photography

Architectural photography is similar to residential and commercial property photography, but architectural photography specifically focuses on the design and flow of a space, its structure, functionality, and construction quality. The clients of architectural photography are architects, civil engineering firms, contractors, and designers. 

Interior photography

Property interior photographers primarily focus on the interior design of a property. Rather than focusing on the property’s structural design, this more editorial approach to property photography looks at the aesthetic makeup of the property. The photographer looks to capture the colours, textures, and furnishings of the property. The clients for interior photography could be architects, interior designers, magazines, estate agents specialising in luxury homes, staging companies, and property owners. 

 

Property photography interior

 

Property photography guide

Most likely you will start off getting work as a residential property photographer, as this is the most abundant kind of property photography. If you’re unsure of where to start, we have a standard guide for property shoots, which covers most properties. If any rooms are particularly large or attractive, they may warrant more shots, but you can always consult with your estate agent beforehand to get an idea of what they want. Your essential shot list should consist of the following:

    • 2 wide-angle shots for each bedroom
    • 2 wide-angle shots of the kitchen
    • 2 wide-angle shots of the living room
    • 1 photo of the bathroom
    • 1 shot of any feature e.g. garage, utility room, cellar, pantry
    • Up to 3 photos of the back garden
    • 1-2 exterior shots of the house

 

Property photography techniques

Here are some essential photography techniques every property photographer should know.

Shooting straight

One of the most crucial elements of property photography is creating flattering images of the property. When you shoot at a slight angle for other kinds of property photography it might not matter, but when you do this for property photography it distorts the angles and lines of the property, making the images look off. Therefore, it’s very important to keep your camera straight when practising any form of real estate photography.

These kinds of pictures are great if you want to include them in your CRM for real estate, as clients will be able to view properties in detail.

 

Use wide-angle lenses

Wide-angle lenses are a must-have in your photography kit when it comes to property photography. Wide-angle lenses are beneficial as they are good at creating flattering images of tighter spaces, as they have the effect of making rooms look wider and more spacious. 

 

Lighting techniques

Lighting is an essential component of property photography. You should always have flashes in your kit when shooting a property, as you never know what the lighting conditions are going to be like. A property may not have enough windows limiting the natural light, which calls for artificial lighting. You may need to turn on the house lights, which can have a pleasant homely effect, but sometimes even lightbulbs don’t produce a flattering light. 

Therefore, you should always have a flash with you. However, flashes can look quite harsh in property photography, especially if you can’t bounce the light well enough. Having a light modifier with you can help to make the light softer.

When considering all the above, keep in mind that natural lighting is the best lighting, and artificial light should not be used unless necessary – except in bathrooms.

 

Video sells more properties

 

Property photo tips

    • Make sure you know where the property is. To make sure you are on time for the shoot, plan ahead and look at your route to the property in advance.
    • Take backup gear. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so it’s a good idea to make sure you have extra memory cards and spare batteries or your charger.
    • Format your memory card before the shoot.
    • Take a wide-angle lens with you. Wide-angle photos are particularly beneficial for property photography as they portray rooms well.
    • Take a flash and light modifiers with you. Flashes are very important 
    • You only need one photo of the bathroom. Bathrooms are usually the least interesting rooms for people looking to buy properties, so you don’t need to waste time taking too many photos of the bathroom unless it is especially large and decorative. 
    • Walk through the property when you arrive. Before you start taking photos, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the design and flow of the property, and then take the pictures accordingly. 
    • Declutter the property. When clients know that the property is going to be photographed, it is usually tidied, and maybe even staged. However, there is the possibility that the property is not tidy. Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that surfaces are generally cleared and there isn’t any clutter in your shots.

 


We hope you found our property photography advice useful.

If you require a professional property photographer, book with Splento. Splento photographers in London are experts in property photography, from interior shots to images of exterior structure, aerial and 360° photography, and virtual tours. Contact us today to enquire about your property shoot.

 


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