How to take photos to sell or rent a home

What makes good photos for selling or renting a property

When selling a property, having quality photos that make potential buyers want to visit is essential. Photos should attract attention and spark interest in your listing on real estate platforms.

To achieve this, it’s crucial that the photos are high quality and provide an accurate representation of the property. Great photos can help sell a property faster.

If you’re unsure how to take them, we’ve provided some details below, though the best approach is to rely on a professional, such as the real estate agents at Engel & Völkers.

Can I use my smartphone to take photos of my home?

If you decide to take the photos yourself, the choice of device is important.

Nowadays, smartphones are equipped with high-quality cameras that can achieve great results for this purpose. However, using a professional camera and lenses will always yield better results.

Make sure your phone’s rear camera has excellent features to ensure high-quality results.

Tips for taking photos to sell or rent your home

Once your device is ready, follow these tips to take photos that will help sell your property:

Organize and clean the house

First impressions matter. Ensure the property is tidy and clean to create a positive impression. Remove any clutter or misplaced items, such as keys, books on tables, or jackets on chairs, to avoid visual distractions.

Practice home staging

Home staging involves preparing and decorating the house to make it more appealing to buyers. It’s not just about tidying up but creating a story. According to Forbes, this is the secret to selling a home.

Decorate key spaces in a way that helps potential buyers imagine themselves living there. Use furniture, decorative elements, and color schemes to inspire them, making your property stand out.

If you’re unfamiliar with this strategy, it can be challenging to implement without the help of a professional agent, like those at Engel & Völkers.

Use natural light

Natural light is your best friend for real estate photography. Identify the times of day when your property benefits most from natural light to take your photos. This enhances the appearance of the spaces and makes them more attractive.

In addition to finding the best time, make sure to take the photos with the curtains open to allow more natural light into the property. A well-lit home is one of the most valued aspects when buying or renting a property, alongside energy efficiency and the usable square footage.

Keep in mind that you should avoid taking photos directly facing the windows, as the result can be ruined by overexposure caused by excessive light.

Avoid artificial light

Natural light often eliminates the need for artificial light. If additional lighting is required, use professional equipment like ring lights or studio lights to enhance brightness without compromising image quality.

Use a tripod

A tripod is a useful tool to ensure straight, steady photos. It also helps you maintain consistent framing if you need to retake any shots.

Choose the best angles

It is important to carefully choose the angles from which you take the photos. Ideally, opt for spots in the room that provide a comprehensive view of the space and accurately showcase its layout.

To achieve this, it’s recommended to take photos from the corners of the room, starting from one side and then the other. This approach allows potential buyers to get a realistic sense of the room’s size.

Additionally, make sure to take photos at eye level, as this reflects the natural perspective we typically use. Shooting from angles that are too high or too low can distort the room and compromise its realistic appearance.

Use a wide-angle lens

One of the features offered by cameras—and one you should definitely use—is the wide-angle lens. This allows the space to appear larger without curving or distorting the image.  

Remember to use the wide-angle lens from the corners of the room to capture the entire space and make the image look more realistic.  

Frame your shots properly

Most cameras include grids or guides to help you align your shots. Use these to ensure your photos are straight and well-framed.

Take multiple shots

Take several photos of each angle to ensure you capture the best version. Review your shots later to decide which ones are the most effective.

Highlight the views

Another aspect that helps sell a property through photos is showcasing the views. If your home is located in an area with an attractive landscape—or features that might interest buyers—don’t hesitate to take a photo from the window or terrace. This can draw the attention of buyers looking for a property in that specific area or with those characteristics.  

Views and location are two highly significant factors that can even increase the value of your property.  

Include exterior photos

Don’t forget to photograph the building’s exterior and surrounding area. This gives buyers a sense of the property’s location and condition.

Seek professional help

If you feel overwhelmed by all the information or if the results aren’t what you expected, hiring a professional can be a great option. A reputable real estate agency has agents who can guide and advise you while also taking the best photos to sell or rent your property quickly.  

Having a member of the Engel & Völkers team assist you throughout this process allows you to enjoy the peace of mind of not having to worry about anything and the confidence of knowing you’re in good hands.  

How to choose photos to sell or rent your home

Once you’ve taken the photos to sell your property, it’s time to select the ones that will be featured in your listing and capture the interest of potential buyers. To do this, you can follow these criteria:

Choose the most attractive photo as the cover image

As we’ve mentioned before, a picture is worth a thousand words. If you want your property to stand out and grab attention above the competition, we recommend selecting the most beautiful photo as the cover image. This will ensure more views and generate interest.

Be generous with the number of photos

To attract attention and encourage visits, provide as many high-quality photos as possible. This allows potential buyers to get a clear idea of the property and decide if they’re truly interested.

Avoid overediting

Your smartphone may have apps or software that allow you to edit photos easily. While it’s useful to enhance brightness or make minor adjustments, it’s best to use these tools sparingly if you’re not a professional.

Overediting without proper knowledge can result in unrealistic images of your home, creating a false impression.

Complement with a video

In addition to photos, you can add a short video showcasing parts of the property or the entire home. However, achieving a professional look is crucial. If you can’t achieve the desired quality, it’s better to skip the video or seek professional help.

A professional makes all the difference

As we’ve already mentioned, a professional photographer or real estate agent has the expertise to take high-quality images quickly and effortlessly.

If you want professional results, valuable advice, and to save the time it takes to do it yourself, don’t hesitate to contact the Engel & Völkers team. We’ll be happy to assist you and make the process easier for you.