When we say we have a keen attention to detail - agents don’t fully appreciate what that means. Of course, it implies your media is going to be visually appealing and retain buyer’s attention; but it also means we don’t miss the small things that can make or break a picture. We aren’t too proud as professional real estate photographers to do some arranging around the home to ensure it shows its best. Let’s dive into some of the most common “quick fixes” that put the finishing touches on an already staged home.
Curtains and Blinds
This is the first thing we observe when arriving on location, and may just take the cake for the most important thing. The highest quality real estate photos rely on as much natural light entering the space as possible. We never use flash, as it looks too artificial, so harnessing any available light is a huge help. To do this, we fully open blinds/shades and pull curtains all the way to allow light to flood the space. It also aids in showcasing those beautiful southwest Montana scenes that attract so many buyers.
Interior Lighting
Taking in all the natural light through windows is one thing, but we turn on all the lights in the home as well for a few reasons. First, a bright home will always be more inviting than a dim one. It ensures no detail is lost in the shadows while at the same time embracing the natural contrast of the home. Since we exclusively shoot what’s called HDR Photography, there is no need to worry about anything being overexposed or underexposed. Additionally, we like the look of having bedside lamps or other light fixtures turned on.
Pillows and Throws
We view each room before even touching the camera to ensure pillows are properly placed, and smaller blankets used as decor appear natural but intentional. What does this mean? Common areas such as the living room should look inviting and ironic as it sounds - not “lived in”. Cushions are never wrinkled or covered in prints, and pillows are always fluffed and deliberately placed in the most aesthetic fashion. Throws may either be folded neatly, or draped naturally. Sometimes we forget we actually practice real estate photography and not home staging, but you’d be surprised how often the two act as one.
Depersonalizing
This is a tough one for many sellers, but truly is a “trust the process” moment. If we arrive and still see family photos on the fridge, personal memorabilia, or other identifying features; we remove it. It is difficult for incoming buyers to imagine themselves living in a home that so clearly reflects the current occupancy rather than the potential of another. Anything that makes the home easier to market to others is beneficial to all parties involved. We recommend sellers swap family photos with neutral art, maintain their common areas, and utilize garage space or a storage unit for personal belongings during the selling process. If it isn’t removed - we will remove it either on site or through virtual staging.
Bedrooms and Bathrooms
Let’s be clear, we are not here to clean the toilets, but we’re always happy to arrange and polish things up. This may look like pulling the sheets on bed to remove wrinkles and straighten any imperfections, temporarily putting toiletries in drawers, or decluttering bedside tables. Your buyers are going to spend over 30% of their time in these spaces. The way we see it, that's a pretty important area to make attractive.
The scope of our pre-shoot work doesn’t stop here, but it truly does depend on the individual space and its needs. One thing is for certain, though; we are not the real estate photographers that are too good, too proud, or too egoistic to do anything but push some buttons. If the space needs attention, it will get ours within reason.