Almost every single Real Estate agent has a digital camera. Taking shots of your property is one of the foundations of selling Real Estate. It is amazing however that for a profession that relies on the digital camera, that many agents have little knowledge on how to utilize it effectively. To take the best shots you don't have to be a professional photographer or have the most expensive camera. Taking good images of your property is as simple as following some of the techniques and tips below.

*** PICTURES SAY A THOUSAND WORDS *** Keep in mind the classic adage that a "picture says a thousand words" whenever you go out to shoot a property. Focus on angles and photos that show capture the essence of your property. These images are going to the MLS, website or other media to be viewed by potential buyers. Make sure the shots you get are the best they can be.

*** SET YOUR CAMERA *** Don't leave your camera on the default settings. Make sure to read the manual or have your tech-savvy friends/family members set the camera for optimal settings. Have your camera shoot in the highest quality it can. This way you will get the best shots you can get. Stay away from pre-set camera filters since they can interfere with the natural colors of the property. If you want to use filters you should do so with imaging software on your computer and not with the camera itself.

*** PREPARE BEFORE HAND *** Before heading out to the property always be prepared. Make sure your camera battery is charged and the memory is cleared up for the shots you are going to take. Have a rough idea of what pictures you want to take and at what angles. Carry some cleaning supplies with you so you can clean up any minor mess or dust inside. Bring a snack and some water so you aren't tempted to cut your shoot short due to hunger or thirst.

*** SNAP AWAY *** Don't be shy with the camera. Make sure to take plenty of shots for every area you are planning to showcase. Most camera memory can hold plenty of images at the highest display settings. It is much better to have too many photos than not enough.

*** AVOID THE FLASH *** There are very few circumstances where using the flash on a property shoot is appropriate. Therefore you should avoid using the flash on a property shoot whenever possible. Using the flash for interior shots can wash away the natural colors of the room and often gives a false perspective on the layout of the room itself. Always use interior lighting and the natural lighting from the windows to brighten up your shot. If your pictures turn out a little dark, try using some toggling the brightness with some photo correction software.

*** BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS *** A bright, sunny day is the best day to take property photos. There will be plenty of light to capture the outside of the house and it will help illuminate interior shots. Windy, cloudy, overcast and especially rainy days are never good for taking photos of your property. It may be a hassle, but come back to shoot the property later when the weather clears.

*** CAPTURE THE HOUSE NOT THE ROAD *** When shooting the outside front of your property, make sure not to capture the road or sidewalk. Not only does it eat up space in your image that could otherwise go towards showing the house, but it also detracts from the house shot in general. Just make sure to prop your camera up and focus on the house.

*** TRY THE SOFTWARE *** Most digital cameras come with their own image software. Although these programs are no where near as powerful as professional software such as Adobe Photoshop, they may still have useful tools to help make your shots looks better. They are often made user-friendly as well. Try some tools that feature Auto-Contrast, Auto-Color and Auto-Levels. If you feel up for some experimentation try opening some of the advanced sliders and modify various elements such as brightness, contrast, color balance and hue saturation.


We hope these tips will help you on your next property shoot. Keep them in mind whenever you plan on providing images for the MLS, your personal website or a Real Estate Video Pros photo tour/gallery.