Real Estate Photography

What weather is best for real estate photos?  Sunny, blue sky days are best for regular listing photos. Nicer skies can be edited in if necessary, but sunshine is the most important factor.

When do you take twilight photos? Typically twilight photos are taken as the sun is setting up until total darkness. All interior and exterior lighting is on and makes for a magnificent  photo of your home.

Can you photoshop something out of the photo? Any time I can remove the item naturally it is better, but sometimes that's not possible. I will try to take different angles to avoid something like a dog crate, stack of boxes or a bad patch of grass.  I try not to misrepresent the property by changing something from it's original look such as removing powerlines or an air conditioner unit.

How should I prepare my home for a photoshoot?

      INTERIOR

• Deep clean before calling to have photos taken. 
• Remove everything from kitchen and bathroom countertops except a few decorative items. This ensures the space appears larger and prospective buyers can envision the space as theirs.
• Remove all items from shower or bathtub area. Clean, neatly folded towels are wonderful.
• Replace burned out lightbulbs. Turn on all lights including lamps, accent lights etc.
• Open all window treatments. Make the room as bright as possible. Don't forget to clean the windows.
• Remove and store any extra furniture. This is one of the most difficult requests, but it makes a huge difference.  The home will look much larger.  Just remember, less is more. 
• Remove all rugs and runners when possible. It helps to make the room look bigger.
• Turn off all ceiling fans, TV and computer screens.
• Make all beds neatly and straighten pillows. Remove any excess pillows. Remove items from under the beds if possible.
• Remove all artwork and magnets from the refrigerator.
• Remove all personal items and photos from every room, again this ensures the potential buyer can view the space as theirs.
• Put all shoes and clothing in the closets out of sight.
• Clear all dressers and nightstands of everything except a lamp and a 1 or 2 decorative items.
• Remove all pets, pet beds, food/water dishes, toys, kitty condos, kitty litter etc.

     EXTERIOR

• Clean up yard and make sure lawn is neatly trimmed.
• Sweep off patios, porches and sidewalks.
• Remove cars and trash cans from driveway. 
• Open up patio umbrellas.
• Consider air fresheners or fragrance diffusers, especially if you own pets or are a smoker.  

     BONUS PROJECTS

• Powerwash home, sidewalks, driveway and pool areas. 
• Freshen up gardens with new mulch, new colorful flowers and remove weeds. 
• Touch up or repaint areas as needed. 
• Have carpets/floors professionally cleaned. 
• Hire a home stager to give your home that extra pizazz.  
• Wash the Windows
• Declutter the whole house, invest in bins or a storage pod.