Avoid these common photography mistakes and step up your real estate photography game! 

According to the National Association of Realtors, 97% of buyers use the Internet to find a new home, and 90% of home buyers consider photos the most useful feature of real estate property listings. Hence, in the real estate industry, professional photography of properties has become more important than ever. 

Whether you are a real estate photographer or agent, shooting properties requires expertise in photography and real estate properties. 

To avoid common photography mistakes, read on for 9+ mistakes you ought to avoid when shooting properties.

9+ Common Real Estate Photography Mistakes to Avoid 

With no further delay, here are 9+ common photography mistakes to avoid when shooting real estate.

Knowing about these and how to avoid them will help save you a lot of time and frustration while ensuring captivating real estate photography.

1. Not Using a Wide-Angle Lens

common photography mistakes

Avoid using your phone or camera’s regular lens, while photographing a property. Instead, use a wide-angle lens, which will capture a wider area of the room, making it look bigger than it is. 

The wide-angle lens also makes it easy to photograph tight and small spaces, allowing prospective buyers to get a better sense of the property.

2. Not Shooting Properties With Proper Lighting

common photography mistakes

There is nothing worse than poorly lit photographs, especially when it comes to real estate photography. 

Proper lighting of properties is as important as highlighting the best features of a property. Hence, ensure you shoot the property during the day when natural light is at its peak. 

This will provide ample natural light to fill up space, capture shadows, and put forth the natural features of the property.

If a property doesn’t have enough natural light, create it artificially by using a flash or lamps. A lack of proper illumination can lead to dull and unappealing images that look unprofessional. 

By taking your time to correctly light your space, you will create vibrant and attractive photos that showcase the property’s best features.

3. No Proper Planning Before Shooting

common photography mistakes

Another common photography mistake is beginning to shoot properties without planning or preparing for the shoot.

Arrive relaxed and ready to take the perfect shot by having a clear plan and schedule. 

Plan out which rooms or locations you will shoot first, and the best angles and perspectives that enable you to make the space look as inviting as possible.

4. Taking Too Many Photos or Not Enough Photos

Furthermore, another critical mistake is taking too many photos or too few photos. 

If there are too many photos of a property, the buyer may get lost and lose interest, and if there are too few, the buyer may need more detailed information to make a decision. 

The best practice is to showcase the most important spaces that convey all the necessary features of the property.

5. Not Using a Tripod

common photography mistakes

Avoid one of the most common photography mistakes of not using a tripod. A tripod provides stability and reduces motion blur, producing a sharp and clear image. 

Using a tripod also enables you to adjust the camera’s height, which lets you capture rooms in a way that highlights the property’s unique features.

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6. Not Paying Attention to Composition

Composition refers to the visual arrangement of elements in the picture. It is essential to have a good composition while taking a photo. 

The composition of an image should be aimed towards making the space look as inviting as possible. 

Therefore, it is important to ensure that elements like colors, objects, angles, and perspectives are arranged in such a way that it enhances the property’s best features.

7. Not Cleaning the Property Before Shooting

Before virtual decluttering
Messy Room

A clean and organized space is essential while shooting properties. Ensure the property is clean and organized before beginning to photograph it. 

Remove all clutter and minimize the number of objects in a room to present a spacious-looking living space.

8. Incorrect Camera Settings

To achieve the best image quality, you need to have your camera’s settings adjusted correctly. Failing to do so can make you lose the details and textures in the photo. 

Make sure to adjust the white balance, aperture, and ISO to suit the lighting condition, distance, and the property’s attributes.

9. Ignoring the Exterior

Real Estate Photo Editing by PhotoUp
Real Estate Photo Editing by PhotoUp

You don’t just need to focus on the interior when shooting properties. Exterior shots can create a strong visual impact, as first impressions are made at the property’s front door. 

Capture the property’s curb appeal by showcasing the outdoor area, including any landscaping, driveway, or porch. 

Using a drone is an incredibly effective way to capture the exterior in a more detailed manner.

10. Using Unedited Photos

common photography mistakes

Editing can enhance your final product. Real estate photo editing, such as cropping, exposure correction, color correction, and leveling, can help improve a photo and make it stand out from the others listed online. 

While you should aim for a natural look, pictures are not always true to life, and a little bit of editing can go a long way in creating an inviting and attractive presentation. 

We recommend outsourcing your editing to a professional real estate photo editing service like PhotoUp to ensure high-quality images.

This will also help you save time you can spend on shooting more properties and develop fruitful relationships with clients. 

It’ll be a game-changer for your real estate photography business!

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Try it today with 10 free edits from three professional photo editors.

Conclusion

Selling properties through high-quality photographs is more important now than ever.

Despite advancements in technology that have allowed us to take good photos, poor photography mistakes can deter buyers from purchasing the property. 

By avoiding common photography mistakes, you can produce high-quality photos that showcase properties in the best light possible. 

Next time you photograph a property, keep in mind these ten mistakes to avoid, and you’ll be sure to wow your clients with stunning images of their properties.

Before you go, take your photography to the next level with PhotoUp’s professional real estate photo editing service

Sign up for a free PhotoUp account today, and ensure top-notch real estate photos that are sure to impress your clients! For a limited time, you even get 10 free edits when signing up for an account.

We hope this blog post helped you avoid the most common photography mistakes when shooting real estate. If you enjoyed this post, you may want to check out the following resources:

Stina Pettersson

Professional Blogger

Stina is an entrepreneur, digital marketer, and professional blogger who's passionate about real estate photo editing, being outdoors with her pup, and sweaty gym sessions. She loves the written word and has been writing for publications like Forbes and Thrive Global. Originally from Sweden, she's called South Florida her home since 2013.

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