As we discussed in last week’s post, What makes a great property listing? Photos are a key element and one which it’s well worth taking some time to get right. That’s why we’ve come up with five tips to help you focus your efforts in the areas that will make the difference when it comes to producing photos that make people click on the ‘Enquire’ button.
- Include a mixture of different types of photos
Whether you’re photographing a new build apartment or a traditional villa, make sure you capture plenty of different types of photos. They should not only give a good idea of all aspects of the property but also tell the story of what it’s like to live there. Capture shots that give a good overview of each room as well as the details of features that are likely to be popular. And plan some lifestyle shots too, a table laid up for a nice dinner on the terrace, towels thrown over two sun loungers by the pool. Think about the kind of images that might show what a wonderful life a buyer could expect.
- Improve your photos with lighting and filters
Lighting is one of the most important elements when it comes to taking great photos. Remember, many potential buyers are looking forward to a move to a sunnier climate, so photos taken with a blue sky in the background and a terrace flooded with sunlight are far more likely to attract attention than those taken in the rain. Similarly, if you’re photographing the property’s interior, make sure you use artificial lighting to brighten dark corners and ‘warm up’ the rooms.
And if your photos aren’t looking quite as bright as you hoped when you look at them on the PC back in the office, don’t be afraid to make a few adjustments using easily available apps and filters. This is not about being untruthful or creating an image that doesn’t reflect reality – that would only backfire when it came to showing someone around the property. Instead, adding brighteners or filters is simply a way of helping the property to show itself off in its very best light.
- Dress the property to impress
Just as carefully chosen clothes on mannequins in a shop window help to shift stock of these items, so dressing a house so that it looks lived in and loved will help to bring it to life and make it more appealing to viewers. When we’re searching for properties, we’re naturally drawn to homes that we can imagine ourselves being able to move straight into. That’s why placing vases of flowers in strategic places, adding a bowl of fruit to the kitchen table or plumping up sofas with comfortable cushions all work so well to create that cosy “can’t wait to move in” effect.
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- Don’t neglect the basics
It may seem obvious, but it’s always good to tackle the basics. When you’re photographing a property, make sure you’re not in such a rush that you forget to cast a critical eye around first. Move that pile of papers that are toppling over on the kitchen table, remove the empty coffee cup from beside the chair, hide the cleaning products in the bathroom and check the toilet seat is down.
These few simple jobs won’t take a moment but getting rid of mess and distractions can make all the difference when it comes to creating stand-out pictures. You could even take it a step further by asking the seller to paint over scuff marks or replace broken tiles before you arrive – all of which will help when prospective buyers begin to look round in person too.
- Think about how you’ll be using the photos
If you plan to include photos in your email newsletter or directly on social media to help advertise either the property or your services, think about the types of images that would work well and throw a few of those into the mix too. What about some bright flip flops sitting on the terracotta tiles that surround the sparkly turquoise waters of the pool? That’s not an image that you’d use in a property listing, but as an eye-catching Instagram post, for example, it would be a stunning way to catch the eye and introduce new followers to your agency.
Note: It is polite to ask permission before using photos other than in the direct marketing of the property.
We look forward to seeing the photos you come up with in your property listings in the near future.