Author: Claire Wright

As a property owner or a realtor, it is likely to have a property photoshoot.

There are many available real estate photography companies out there but choosing the best one is a challenge.

Are you wondering why it is the case?

Well, it all stems from the fact that quality is not predetermined. You need to check what a company offers before signing a deal.

However, it is not the case with HD Estates.

Here, we ensure that quality exceeds your expectation by having a professional portfolio that showcases our previous projects.

And how do we make it possible?

It is simple! We have built a team of professional and competent real estate photographers that produce stellar, studio-quality images and videos for years.

This credibility, alongside hard-working individuals, makes us the number one real estate photography company in Seattle.

Five Reasons to Choose Us

We claim to be the best in Seattle based on evidence – it is not just a bluff.

Our work speaks for our company’s reputation, and it is our leverage over the others.

So, if you are still not convinced why we should be your next photographer, we have listed these five reasons for you to evaluate and ponder.

Quality Over Quantity

For us, getting clients is not a race.

We do not accept clients just to deliver sub-standard images.

Instead, we prioritize quality over quantity. After all, nothing beats a well-done job by our dedicated photographers and videographers.

Not Your Typical HD Photos and Videos

When we say it is not typical, believe us. We take pride in taking “Hollywood” quality photos and videos.

Our award-winning photography all started with the single idea of making professional property photography art that represents residential real estate stunningly and innovatively.

Hence, we provide the highest quality HD Photography for Real Estate, which is supported by our clients’ testimonials worldwide.

Constant Innovation

Learning is a continuous process, and we take this seriously.

We are proud to have innovation in our DNA through studying new market trends and technology, and our offerings now include:

• Matterport 3D scans
• Aerial photography
• Drone videos
• Property websites

Share Valuable Information and Recommendation

At HD Estates, we believe in our clients’ visions and goals.

However, we ensure to take the extra mile for any project we do for them by imparting helpful insights about the project.

Any information related to photography and videography that we think can add a difference to your final images.

Transform Your Listings

Do you have previous listings that did not have any conversions?

Well, in this case, it is not always because of the properties’ prices. Sometimes, it is about the materials you used.

We have reiterated this several times now – never use images that are not compelling enough to please the eyes.

In connection to the previous point, we help you transform your listings by letting you understand first the concepts and principles behind property photography.

And you know what is the bonus here?

We give you the best listing images to use so you can leverage your listings over the others.

So, what do you think?

There is no undermining of your decision here. We want you to evaluate based on objective insights.

After all, we have backed our claims with works that speak on behalf of our services.

In the end, we hope that you can see the value we offer and how it can make a difference in your life as a property owner or realtor.

Do you have some questions about getting the best real estate photos and videos?

Get started or call us at 206-453-5291!

As a real estate photographer, you follow specific settings that you deem worthy and useful for your craft.

Perhaps, you are still doing the basic settings, but over time and with the ever-changing technology, you would realize that there is so much to learn and understand with your camera settings.

Today, you can use hybrid settings if you want. You just need to follow traditional settings and give it a tweak using expert camera settings recommended by professional photographers.

It won’t hurt to try, so experiment with it while you can!

Your settings for indoor real estate photography will depend on the purpose. Hence, it only makes sense that you also ask about it beforehand to prepare what settings to use.

Take a look at the following recommended indoor photography settings.

• Brightness is essential. Adjust the camera’s brightness by changing the ISO. The best value to use is usually between 200 to 400.
• Use a considerable camera aperture value such as F/4 or F/2.8.
• Always use the camera’s manual mode.
• The shutter speed should be 1/60 second but never use a value lower than 1/50 second.
• Make use of external flash.
• Focal length setting also matters, so you should check it out before taking any shots.
• Ensure you have the correct values for exposure mode, focus mode, image format, and white balance because these settings do wonders for your images.

Take note that the recommended settings above are only suggestions. You always have the freedom to work with backgrounds that work for you.

Besides the settings, we also want to share some tips that can help you capture incredible images of real estate properties.

Specifically, these tips are more applicable for an indoor photo shoot, so, likely, you cannot use them when doing outdoor shots.

Here are five things to remember:

Understand what ISO is

The thought is simple: ISO is related to brightness.

So, if you want images that look stunning and not dim, you should know the perfect ISO setting to use.

It helps to be aware of the ISO limits and capabilities you can use depending on the day’s time (e.g., daytime or nighttime).

Use natural lighting

Natural lighting such as the one from the sun is more advantageous than using artificial lighting.

Most expert photographers would tell you the same because daylight looks natural and brighter than whatever flashes or artificial lights you use.

Moreover, it yields beautiful soft light that makes the images look attractive.

Hence, if the property has got large windows, then be thankful – you have plenty of ways to let that natural light come in.

Familiarize manual mode

Most cameras today have automatic and manual modes available.

There is nothing wrong with using the automatic mode, but it is better to know how the manual function works since not all automatic settings yield the best shots.

Moreover, the manual mode lets you control all basic settings such as shutter speed, ISO, EV, and aperture.

Use a reflector

The reflector is an expensive piece of equipment but great for daytime or nighttime. It provides the best powerful lighting anytime and anywhere.

Do not use overhead lighting

Avoid overhead lighting because it casts unwanted shadows.

Although these shadows can be edited later on, the process is quite tedious, so it is best not to have shades in images beforehand.

Conclusion

In the end, we hope that you make use of the suggestions in this article.

Remember that the perfect camera settings are subjective and what may work for others may not work for you.

In this case, it is best to discover the settings that will work for you one step at a time.

Doing interior real estate photography is a lot of work compared to any usual photoshoots.

As a real estate photographer, you need to ensure preparations have been done beforehand so that you can shoot the most stunning images of the property.

Part of the preparations is checking the place before the agreed photoshoot date and devising a plan that works best for you.

For one, you know that doing interior photography for a property is different from an exterior photo shoot.

Given this, it makes sense to learn some professional tips on interior real estate photography.

Here are seven (7) proven techniques that expert real estate photographers use in every interior photoshoot.

Turn on the lights

This is the most important thing to remember whenever you are shooting a property’s interior – turning all the lights on.

Doing this will make the room brighter and reduce the differences between the inside and outside.

You can include table lamps, overhead lights, and even concealed lighting, perfect for kitchen shots.

Also, be consistent.

Do not turn on the lights in one room only; it should be the lights from all the rooms.

Use ISO 400

Choosing ISO settings for interior shots is a deal-breaker. It is a must.

Remember the basic principle of ISO.

A low ISO means a longer shutter speed is needed just to get the right exposure. However, this can yield blurry images once the camera is moved accidentally.

Moreover, a high ISO setting may produce more noise than you prefer, but the trick is to choose in the middle because it reduces the likelihood of both problems.

And you know what? ISO 400 is the best one to use.

Hence, if you usually use auto ISO, it is best to turn it off to set it to the recommended ISO 400.

Use the manual mode

Manual mode allows you to choose the shutter speed.

This means you can adjust it to create the average exposure of your bracketed sequence, which is useful in HDR merging.

Also, it ensures that the aperture and ISO remain the same in all the bracketed shots so it will not look unnatural and odd.

If you are wondering what setting should be changed during HDR shots, here is the answer: it should only be the shutter speed.

Doing this will give you a range of photos with different exposures, making them ready for HDR merging.

Focus on the interior, not the window

Although natural lighting is preferred, there are times that it does not work the way you expected.

For example, direct sunlight is a good source of natural lighting, but if it is too bright, it will ruin the camera’s auto-exposure making the images look too dim.

You can avoid this by focusing only on the interior.

Get a bright, well-lit image by setting the camera to Aperture Priority first. Then, point it at an area that is away from the windows.

Choose the best HDR camera

The key to great HDR shots has well-lit bracketed exposures.

This will often require taking at least five bracketed photos in two exposure value (EV) steps or nine bracketed photos in one-EV steps.

But what if your camera cannot bracket exposures in more than one value?

It is simple. Just make sure to set the camera to take the maximum number of bracketed shots it can.

Set the rooms

As part of the basics, you should tidy up the property, especially the rooms.

Declutter and remove any unnecessary furniture and fixtures that may not add aesthetics to the shots.

It is best to turn the space into a minimalist area because it can make it more sophisticated and look spacious.

Sometimes, what seems to be a quick session turns out lengthy because you have not prepared the rooms yet.

Alright!

These are the seven pro tips you should know and practice.

What do you think? If you have some other tips to share with other photographers out there, let us know!

The real estate photography industry is further divided into other niches, such as hotel photography.

For one, you may wonder how and why, but it is pretty simple: real estate is not all about houses and lots, condos, or apartments, which are all residential; at times, commercial real estate properties like hospitals and hotels also need the spotlight.

When photographing hotels, there are many factors to consider – angles, gear, lighting, levels, and even the architecture lines.

So, if you plan to venture into hotel photography, here are eight (8) tips from the experts.

A wide-angle lens is a must

Just like interior real estate photography, using a wide-angle lens is highly recommended.

Aside from this, you need to combine it with a full-frame sensor camera, meaning it has an image sensor that is the same size as the sensor of an analog camera. The most significant advantage of this camera is having a no crop factor.

Avoid going too wide

So, even if a wide-angle lens is recommended, it is still best not to go too wide.

Here’s one tip: don’t go any wider than 24mm.

Most hotels prefer that you use only lenses not wider than 24mm because it can create a false sense of space, making the image look deceiving.

Use correct lighting

Again, it is part of the basics.

Lighting is an essential part of getting the best hotel images.

As a photographer, you know that using artificial lighting should be avoided as much as possible.

However, it is different from hotel interior photography. You need artificial lighting if natural lighting is not enough.

Most professional interiors photographers use strobes as their method of artificial lighting. This method uses a trick wherein the artificial lights become unnoticeable by the viewers.

Check the aperture

Use your camera at an aperture of f8 or smaller, which in photography means higher numbers such as f9 or f11.

Combining a small aperture with accurate focusing can result in ultra-sharp images that are must-haves in the hotel industry.

Composition is key

In architectural and interiors photography, your vertical lines must always be straight.

Simultaneously, if you are producing a one-point perspective image, both vertical and horizontal lines must be straight.

Following the simple rule of composition will yield fantastic images that can be used to boost hotel listings.

Go at a low level

Well, this meant going on a low level instead of the usual eye-level photography.

When shooting from a lower position, your eyesight creates a dramatic sight that can make the image more interesting.

Moreover, shooting low will make any furniture or elements in the frame look less distorted.

Use a level

You must use a level for hotel and interiors photography.

If you can pull this off in your shots, your images will look more professional than amateur. Most modern cameras have a built-in level, so there is no excuse for crooked architectural lines in your pictures.

Never forget the tripod

Regardless of the property type, most interior photography requires a longer shutter speed.

Now, you must ensure that the camera will not be shaken or moved to avoid blurry images during this time.

There are still other uses for a tripod aside from this, such as easy panning and taking of panoramic shots.

Are you now ready to shoot your first hotel photography gig?

Make use of these eighth tips and see the wonders yourself.

Above anything else, remember that you may not get everything right in the beginning. However, it should not discourage you.

Instead, keep trying and practice when you have time. Good luck!

At times, doing the usual interior and exterior real estate photography is already challenging.

How much more if it is drone photography?

Most photographers share the same dilemma regarding aerial or drone shots, primarily because it is a lot more complicated than the usual photoshoot.

So, if you are also one of those who want to learn how to do aerial photography the right way, this article is for you.

Drone Photography Defined

From the name itself, drone photography, also known as aerial photography, involves taking real estate images and videos at a higher altitude.

Technically, this is challenging since it will require you to use a flying drone at a high altitude.

Despite this, you should recognize that this alone can leverage your property listings.

Here’s why.

Compelling aerial photography showcases unique aspects of the property that is impossible to capture at ground level.

For example, you can take good pictures of the property and the adjacent area in a regular shot but not the significant landmarks and stunning landscape and the rest of the neighborhood.

Yet, with aerial photography, this is possible.

Your Guide to Aerial Photography (4 Steps Only)

Are you excited about how to do drone photography the right way?

Here is a quick and simple tutorial for you.

Buy the right drone

Even without a guide, you can buy a high-quality drone that is perfect for aerial photography.

Always consider your budget, though. If you’re on a smaller budget, there are drones for up to $1400. At this rate, you should be able to buy a good drone to do the work.

It is still costly compared to others but is still relatively cheaper compared to other brands.

One brand you can check is DJI drones.

Master the set-up process

This one is subjective as it depends on the kind of drone you have.

In this tutorial, let us use the DJI drone as an example.

The very first step is to pair it with your smartphone.

Then, download the app from the App Store or Google Play.

Input the following settings:

• Set up the drone for a single shot
• Set the image ratio to 16:9
• Leave the white balance on automatic mode.

One pro tip is to check first if the lens is clean before launching the drone. This can prevent having blur images.

Moreover, pay attention to the GPS calibration. It’s critical to ensure you have proper control of the drone during the flight time.

Learn how to shoot properly

This is the exciting part, but make sure the environment around is free from any power lines and trees.

Launch the flight by pressing the controller toggles in an opposite diagonal direction once you have checked that the path is clear.

Play with the camera angles until you get the shots you wanted.

Make sure to have many shots so you can choose which one is the best to use.

Edit Your Shots

Editing your shots is a must. Do not upload unedited images.

If you are on a tight budget, you can try using some free editing apps, just like Snapseed and VSCO.

The paid ones offer more functionalities and are best if you want more professional-looking photos.

But, if you want to edit by yourself or hire someone you know, that is all fine.

What matters is the result!

Are you now ready to upgrade your listing photos?

Try including some great aerial photographs and see how it can leverage your business.

With many real estate photography companies available, the choice is all yours. Boost your listings with compelling images that people seek and want.

Also, if possible, try incorporating real estate videos too in your listings. It will give interested buyers more reasons to take a look at the property.

In photography, learning is forever.

Having the necessary knowledge is not always enough to compete against others. You need to have an edge – a forte that you can nurture.

There are two things to consider: your niche and skills.

So, first, focus on your niche, then next, slowly develop the skills.

One of the most admired skillsets in photography that you should concentrate on is the lighting aspect.

For one, clients do not want to see dull real estate images.

They hire real estate photographers to get the best images, not crappy ones.

Hence, try your best to learn the craft of shooting captivating real estate images with the aid of proper lighting.

But first, let us define lighting in the context of photography.

Lighting Defined

Lighting in photography is also known as photographic lighting, which practically means perfect scenes to be photographed.

With a working knowledge of how lighting works, you will take control of your photography techniques.

So, here’s a simplified explanation.

First, you need to remember that a photographic image is created only by capturing light reflected from the scene.

The rule of thumb: dark objects absorb more light and reflect less into the camera, while bright things reflect more light.

This process is known as the picture’s brightness, with colors defined by the reflected light’s wavelengths and frequencies.

Therefore, objects with different hues reflect different wavelengths and frequencies and affect the picture’s looks.

4 Real Estate Photography Lighting Techniques

Master Natural Light

Natural light is the best source of lighting for interiors, especially if you have large windows.

Just slide your curtains and take good images of your property.

Here are some more tips for shooting with natural light:

• Choose the best hour of the day. It’s usually around midday, but it depends on the property’s location and the sunrays. So, take note of this before starting the session.
• Avoid shooting interiors at sunset, when the light quickly changes color. Doing so will just make the photos look dull.
• Open all the blinds. Make the sunlight fill the room as best as possible.
• Turn off every light in the room. One of the most significant advantages of turning the lights off is that you avoid color casts.

Use a Flash to Mimic Natural Light

Sometimes, the light in a room can be dull and flat.

However, you can improve this by mimicking natural light.

This is simple to do. All you need is to imitate natural light from a definite direction by pointing the flash on the wall to get a soft large diffused light coming from that direction.

Use HDR While Maintaining a Natural Look

In a room, our eyes continuously adapt to the environment to sense the highlights and shadows.

Using HDR is perfect when shooting images at different exposures. In the end, the photographer needs to capture other exposures and combine them in post-production without destroying the natural look of the property.

Avoid Mixed Lighting to Eliminate Color Casts

The perfect lighting should always be neutral.

It is best not to use different lighting sources to avoid color cast.

Color cast is not a useful element in photos because it makes them look dull with noticeable noise.

The first method to avoid a color cast is to turn off every light. This way, you can be sure to have a uniform light in your photos.

If your flash doesn’t match with the light fixtures or with the window light, try using gel filters to check the color temperature.

You can also try matching the flash with the interior lights to make editing easier in post-production.