Author: Claire Wright

9 Mistakes When Hiring an Amateur Real Estate Photographer
There are varying reasons why hiring the services of professional real estate photographers is considered important to a real estate business. These professional and highly trained individuals are the people equipped to see every detail of the project that an untrained eye may not see. Having a professional and well skilled photographer at your side will not only save you time and money but he could also share his or her invaluable wisdom in the process of selling a real estate property in the modern era.

But when you are just a beginner in the real estate business, you’re bound to make numerous photography mistakes. Those mistakes could be beneficial if you really want to master the art of selling. There is no reason to commit mistakes but there’s always room for improvement. Hiring the services of an amateur real estate photographer will always show signs of amateurism. Therefore, they are prone to commit common mistakes that will eventually discourage clients.

Below are the 9 common mistakes an amateur real estate photographer should avoid.

1. Amateur photographers converge verticals and place incorrect horizontals

The convergence of verticals and incorrect horizontal placements are just two of the common issues made by those people who are just beginning to make real estate photography as their bread and butter. These problematic issues are familiar mistakes associated with camera angles in taking exterior photos which can be noticeable when using wide-angle lenses.

2. Incorrect white balancing

White balancing is the removal of unrealistic color casts to make objects appear white. One of the most obvious signs of incorrect white balancing is that the photos don’t give the true color of the space. Amateur photographers have no eye on the use of numerous light sources that give different temperatures. If this is the case, the use of proper flash should be done in order to overpower multiple light sources.

3. Work may suffer from lens distortion

Amateur photographers often rely much on cheaper photography equipment. The use of cheap lenses will render problems in the post-production adjustment. Commonly known as the “Fisheye” lens, the subject being too close to the lens can cause distortion. Professional real estate photographers make sure that proper distancing is observed relative to the subject.

4. Where is your list?

Real estate photography is usually fast paced. Especially when budgets are low, clients are always in a rush in getting the job done. It is the assignment of the photographer to list down all the possible areas because each property has unique details. Always start with the fundamental shot list before proceeding to the more modified piece of work. Having your own list will gain you the feedback you need from your clients and this will be ideal in creating your market.

5. Toilet seats are open

This is a very common mistake an amateur photographer normally commits. Leaving the toilet seats open is not good especially when presenting to prospective buyers. So before taking photos inside the ‘Do not disturb’ area, it is important to close the toilet seat first before taking photos.

6. Hot flash marks

Areas identified with hot flash spots are distractions that are not pleasing to the eyes. Light sources like on-camera flash, ceiling lights and strobes can cause flash glare. Usually, these hot flash spots appear as reflections in mirrors, windows and glasses. Water can also cause glares when the outdoor shoot is done on a hot sunny day. To answer this concern, the use of light diffusers like umbrellas can bounce your flash off.

7. Post-production tone mapping mistake

Real estate HDR photography are oftentimes over-processed. While post-processing is an essential tool for the artistic conceptualization of the image, this is not basically what you are really aiming for in real estate photography. This is a common mistake when hiring the services of an amateur real estate photographer. Unknowing during post-processing, they use invalid settings for tone mapping. This occurs when raw images are batch-processed, or only ambient exposures with no flash or proper lighting took place during the shoot. In order to fix this issue, proper lighting space is recommended.

8. Hard shadows appear

Just like when hot flash marks appear, the use of umbrellas to diffuse or bounce back can be suggested when rooms look dark. When this happens, dark shadows occur. These shadows can also create dirtier ambience on the walls and ceilings. Minimize the use of on-camera flash or avoid shooting the flash upfront without diffusing it.

9. Lacking the needed preparation before the shoot

It is important to have a complete housekeeping and decluttering of the area before a shoot happens. Areas and spaces must be organized in order to get the attention of the clients. A clean and well-organized area is very pleasing to the eye. Every real estate listing that you have must be orderly and cleanliness must always be preserved.

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April 24, 2020
The Principles of High Definition Real Estate Photography

One of the most sought after real estate listings are those with high definition and crispy content. Pictures must be shown clearly online. They should expressly provide the edge in luring potential customers in buying your products. Providing high resolution photos can give you a gigantic advantage to engage with the buyers with the help of your well-designed real estate listings for your virtual tours.

Advantages of Using High Definition Real Estate Photography

There has been a lot of remarkable development of real estate photos over the last decade. Competition wise, there is always a reason when and why you should hire the services of a professional real estate photographer. High definition photos will be advantageous in selling your listing faster. They are also great paths in attracting more buyers and sellers to your business.

Before going into the different advantages of using high definition real estate photography, it is also important to know the important tools used by a professional real estate photographer to come up with high definition photos. Photographers should have:

• High-quality Camera

When buying a camera, it is advisable to pick a camera with a large full frame sensor that will create a 1:1 ratio. Anything less than 1:1 ratio will create a loss of space. It would be a plus if the camera has an automatic exposure bracketing feature.

• Wide Angle Lens

Using a wide-angle lens camera will let you shoot the whole perspective of the shot especially when shooting the interiors of a room. One of the effects using a wide angle lens to the viewer is that it makes him feel that he is actually inside that room.

• Tripod

The tripod is an indispensable item for a photographer. With the help of a tripod, it always keeps the shot at camera level.

• Photo Editing Software

To improve real estate photographs, software is being used to improve digital images, correct minor mistakes, or eradicate blemishes. Adobe’s Photoshop is the most popular editing software which is very essential to a photographer’s exact envisioning of his shots.

• External Flash Items

Every camera has a built-in pop-up flash. But a camera always needs an extra flash. This is important if there is no extra light around. With the use of multiple flashes, it can light particular parts of the image you want to shoot.

• Light Meter

A light meter is an apparatus that selects the correct exposure for a photo. This equipment allows the photographer to choose the perfect aperture and shutter speed.

• Website

Having an attractive website is what entices clients to visit it. Make it a point that the template you are using for your website will offer a correct and complete package for every individual visiting your website.

The use of the different principles in creating high definition real estate photos clearly work to every photographer’s advantage.

1. They can make blue skies in every image. Oftentimes, images are photographed during cloudy skies. Because of having the knowledge about blue sky replacement, clients can be blown away by how great their property looks in gloomy weather.

2. Photos will always be upright and vertically levelled using perspective correction. High definition images are always checked for misaligned edges and corners.

3. Application of whites and colors are accurate. The colors of the interiors and the different objects inside the house seem natural and real.

4. High definition real estate photos help agents sell more properties at a higher price. They can also sell houses at a faster pace. The creation of eye-catching images can propel buyers to act quickly and decisively.

5. HD photos are social media magnets. These kinds of photos can be uploaded to a Facebook gallery that will serve as virtual a tour guide. Social media is a breakthrough in terms of marketing your real estate photography business.

6. Qualify yourself as a professional. The perception of buyers has a lot to do with you becoming a highly professional photographer because of the HD images you have advertised. You don’t need to attain the highest educational degree possible. You just need to surround yourself with the right people to produce HD photographs.

April 17, 2020
7 Important Things That You Should Know in Hiring a Real Estate Photographer

Hiring the services of a professional real estate photographer would be a big factor in selling the property real fast. These skilled people can use their trained eyes to examine each room in a house. They may include idle rooms because from here, they can plan on how to create stunning and attractive photos.

As a seller, always keep in mind that the use of high quality photos taken by professional real estate photographers can appear more valuable to prospective buyers. Take into consideration that aside from increasing the chances of the property being sold, you have an increased chance of getting new listings.

Valuable Things to Know in Hiring a Real Estate Photographer

There is a particular study which shows that almost all of homebuyers said high quality photos were the most convenient tool for examining real estate properties. Likewise, properties with professional photos sold faster regardless of price. And many prospective buyers are unanimous in saying that it is worth hiring the services of real estate photographers because it results in quicker selling time.

There are things that high quality photos can give especially in helping you out in your listing. Below is a list of the different things to know in hiring a real estate photographer.

1. Saves time and eliminates stress

Creating stunning images takes a considerable amount of time. On average, the process can take 2 to 10 hours. The stages of this process start from taking photos up to developing photos or videos for virtual tours and social media presence. Professional real estate photographers know how to properly edit photos to look more stunning. Outsourcing their services can save precious time that you can use in marketing your properties to clients instead. Moreover, you are stress-free from doing such a meticulous job.

2. Your listing stands out

Aside from having a striking listing, properties will also sell faster than expected. This is one of the benefits that you should know in investing for the services of a professional real estate photographer. If you are a realtor or agent, it means receiving quicker commissions.

3. The market value of your property appreciates

Adding the services of professional photographers will make your home sell for more. If the photos of your property look great then the buyer’s perceived value increases. Their professional skills can be a major factor in a prospective customer’s buying decision.

4. Real estate photographers have the equipment and training

Real estate photographers have the specialized equipment and proper training for the job. They own important software and are equipped with the necessary tools in producing photos and videos for your listings. They know how to capture aerial photos and videos using drones. They are familiar with twilight shots for high-end luxury listings. Thus, these techniques create marketable content for you, your seller, and to the business as a whole.

5. You will receive irresistible offers

Amazing photos have an adverse effect as far as selling your property is concerned. For your listings to hit an amazing result, a photo-ready property and a sound marketing plan are all you need. You should have an eye on the how and where you will market your listing. This is the reason behind why photos are very important assets in your business. They create attraction and opportunities to lure more people into your listing.

6. Become more valuable to customers

Hiring a real estate photographer and using their exquisite photos will make you more appealing and valuable to our customers. Once you appear more valuable to your clients, you have better odds of getting new listings. This will be proportional to increase in sales. It’s a normal set up that by owning attractive photos paired with great media content create traffic that people will look at your listing and eventually visit the property.

7. Sellers will become more interested

Professional marketing listing content, which makes up mostly of attractive images, can attract more sellers, too. Competent sellers become attracted to this kind of listing because they see the value of using excellent images that’s perfect for selling.

April 7, 2020
Real Estate HDR Photo Editing Tips

High Dynamic Range or HDR is a photographic technique used by most real estate photographers in shooting architectural and interior photos. It involves a reproduction of a greater dynamic range of luminosity that is beyond the results from using a standard photographic technique. It allows you to fuse different exposures by merging multiple photos of the same scene captured at contrasting shutter speeds, creating a finished product that is comprised of the best light information of each exposure.

In essence, HDR enables you to balance interior spaces with exterior views, which tend to be overexposed in normal photos, helping you produce clear and vivid photos that are sure to satisfy your real estate agent.

To successfully execute the HDR technique on your real estate photos, you may keep in mind these HDR photo editing tips:

• Capture multiple bracketed images.

Before you start merging your photos to create an HDR image, you have to make sure that you have multiple photos of a subject at different exposures. It is acceptable to take three shots of a single scene but, you may find it best to capture five images with contrasting exposures.

photo via https://creativeraw.com/

To take different bracketed images manually, you have to set up your camera in manual mode and then, simply adjust the aperture and shutter speed to capture a brighter or darker image. However, the easiest way to do this is by manually adjusting the light “darker” by using your camera’s exposure compensation buttons (+/- buttons) to underexposure your image by one to three stops (-1 to -3), and then overexposing it by one to three stops (+1 to +3).
In shooting these bracketed photos, you have to ensure that each exposure is crisp and align. You can do this by using a shutter release cable and by making sure that your tripod is stable and completely still throughout the exposure set. It is also recommended that you use your camera’s self-timer, so you won’t have to manually press the shutter button, which can potentially shift the position of your camera and affect your photos.

• Shoot in RAW instead of JPEG.

Since HDR technology aims to fuse the maximum number of data from one exposure, you have to remember to shoot only in RAW, the top-quality file type for editing photos. This file format gives you flexibility in post-production because it allows you to not only edit your photos before taking them into an HDR editor, it also lets you edit your HDR images better without destroying the quality of your photo.

• Consider your budget and the software’s quality.

In choosing an HDR merging software, you do not have to be greedy and push yourself to buy the best and expensive software out there. You have to consider your budget since you can find relatively affordable photo editing software with HDR options such as EasyHDR and Lightroom. If you’re really short on budget, it is possible to find other free alternatives online like Nik HDR Efex Pro or Photomatix Pro which have free trials available that will help you in making a decision. However, using these requires putting a watermark on the final results that might spoil your photos. Moreover, if you happen to have a large budget to purchase editing software, you can choose the ones that are on the expensive end of the spectrum like HDR Darkroom. Ultimately, the best thing to do is to invest in software that does the job but also falls within your budget.

• Know your audience.

Since you can give an HDR image various looks, making it either very realistic or very dramatic, you have to know the audience and the purpose of the photos you will be editing. If the goal of your interior photography is to showcase them on online platforms or in exhibitions, you can use your HDR editor to produce dramatic, striking images. If, on the other hand, you are taking photos for a real estate listing, you should work to bring much realism as possible into your photos.

• Get the most out of presets.

Using an HDR editor’s presets give you the required control and flexibility to execute advanced HDR techniques with excellence and simplicity. The most recommended HDR presets are those available in Aurora HDR which can be accessed and use from within your Lightroom workspace.

• Trust your visuals and tweak the photo as you desire.

Lastly, while there are a ton of useful presets that can make your editing process easier, it would also count a lot to rely on your visuals in the post-processing. You can decide how much detail you want to recover and you can tweak the options such as exposure, highlights, shadows, contrast, and more to achieve your desired result.

March 29, 2020
Basic Guide in Learning Photography for Real Estate
Shooting real estate photos is a staple source of income for photographers. Being a powerful marketing tool that has the ability to set a property among others, real estate photography is a skill worth honing. Whether you are pursuing photography for real estate as a new business or as a side hustle to earn extra income, it is important for you to note that in capturing basic images for a simple property listing or for an advertisement campaign of a larger commercial project, high quality photos are worth big bucks in the industry.

In order to learn how to capture high quality real estate photos, here are 7 basic guidelines you have to consider:

1. Pack Your Equipment the Night Before the Shoot

The first and most important thing to remember in real estate photography is to make sure that you have everything you need with you before you go to the location you’ll be shooting. There’s nothing worse than being at a shoot and realizing that you didn’t bring enough equipment that would help make your shoot easier and faster.
Essentially, the basic items that you have to consider packing for every shoot are the following:
- Full-frame camera. This is perfect for shooting real estate but if you haven’t had an opportunity to purchase one yet, any camera with interchangeable lenses will do.
- Tripod. A sturdy tripod can help you avoid camera shake and will ensure a consistent camera positioning across several different shots.
- Off-camera flash units. Since some properties will require you to capture an entire large room that is impossible to light with a single flash, these will prove to be very helpful to you.
- Light stands. This gives you flexibility in choosing your flash placement for you will no longer have to rely on countertops and furniture items, which may not be placed in your desired areas in some houses.
- Wide-angle lens. This helps you fit a lot of space of a particular area in the camera, getting a fuller view in confined spaces.
2. Prepare a Standard Shot List for Each Property

Although it is wrong to assume that all homes are identical, there are typical shots that every real estate photographer will have to keep in mind such as (a) 2 wide angle shots of each bedroom, the kitchen, and the living room; (b) 1 photo of the bathroom, unless it’s especially beautiful or spacious; (c) 1-3 photos of the backyard, unless it has some unique features; (d) 1-2 shots of the front exterior; and (e) 1 shot each of features such as laundry room, garage, and pantry. To have a point of reference to make sure that you’ve captured all your must-have real estate photos, it will come in handy to prepare a standard shot list for each property.

3. Examine Property Beforehand

After arriving at the location and after having met the agent, you can ask them to give you a tour of the property. This is an opportunity for you to know if there are any specific shot ideas, angles and features that the client wants to highlight. It will also give you a sense of your client’s marketing goal as well as the layout of the house to aid you in mentally preparing for the shoot. Moreover, this gives you the chance to determine and to declutter what needs to be hidden to ensure that the property is prepared for shooting.

4. Set Proper Camera Settings

After prepping the house, you can start setting up your camera equipment and dialing in your camera settings. In no particular order, set your file of numbering settings to continuous to ensure that your photos are organized sequentially when you transfer them to your computer, so it would be an easy task to send them to your real estate image editing company. Make sure the photo quality is set to small RAW files ideally at about 5 megapixels for deep and professional editing. Go to live view/movie function settings and make sure you are in stills only or exposure simulation live view. Furthermore, set your lens to manual focus and dial in manual exposure mode to control both shutter speed, which should normally be between 1/60 and ½ a second; and lens aperture that should be set between f/7.1 to f/9. Before every exposure set, set your focal point half the depth of the room, which can be done by using your live view zoom feature for precision focusing. Lastly, set your ISO as low as possible, usually below 400.

5. Shooting Exteriors

The most important aspect you have to consider in exterior real estate photography is the positioning of the sun, which should generally be behind the structure to avoid sharp shadows on your photos. The right time to shoot exteriors may vary among real estate photographers but it is usually done during daytime, when you can get a lot of natural light and bright, saturated colors in your images. However, shooting beautiful shots of the property also works during sunsets with the interior lights on to get a warmer feel of the house. It mostly depends on your discretion and on how the client wants to project the property.

6. Shooting Interiors

In shooting exteriors, you must first make sure that you have set aside all items that will show poorly in the photos so as not to compromise the marketability of the listing. The general rule is to open windows and pull up window blinds because for real estate photography, natural light is the best option. However, if the view outside is unpleasant, or if the agent insists on leaving them down for whatever reason, or if the blinds are broken or unstable, it would be best to leave them down and to simply twist them open so light can still come through the windows. The challenge of shooting interiors is the mixing of light temperatures—while it is common to turn the lights on to give off a warmer and welcoming feel of the space, it introduces varying light temperatures that need to be balanced in post-processing. On the other hand, you can shoot with all interior lights turned off in which using multiple flashes and long exposures will be necessary to fill in the dark areas in your photos.

For interior real estate photography, you must set out to photograph the main rooms—the living room, kitchen, dining room, bathroom/s, and bedroom/s, and all the property’s features that the client wants to highlight like the porch, office, walk-in closet, staircase and entryways, to name a few. Then, find the best perspective for each room. In photographing interiors, you should keep your camera level, preferably at chest height, by using a hot shoe bubble level, making your edges perfectly straight. To make sure that there is balanced lighting in your real estate photos, you can use HDR photography to help you capture highlights and shadows in an image without clipping either one. In using flash units, make sure to diffuse it to minimize the sharp shadows it can cause by bouncing the flash off a light-colored ceiling or wall, or by using a softbox-type-diffuser, or shooting through a white umbrella.

7. Be Flexible

Since your ultimate goal in shooting high quality real estate photos is to give the agent what they want, you have to be flexible. Don’t just stand in the corner; find the most interesting and unusual angles to capture a specific area of a house. Move around and take multiple photos that can potentially create a scene or a desire to visit or purchase a property. While there are basic guidelines in real estate photography, it also counts a lot to experiment with bizarre ideas if needed.

Now that you are equipped with the basic tips and techniques in photography for real estate, all that’s left for you to do is put them into practice. Start by photographing your own living spaces or those of your family and friends until you finally get a contract with an agent to start your career in real estate photography.
March 25, 2020
3D Scan for Real Estate

Real estate 3D scanning can be an excellent experience for an interactive and immersive visual representation of the house. This cutting edge technology is so important to all sellers and buyers because a well-designed virtual tour can provide a more detailed and accurate simulation that even high quality photos cannot provide. 3D scan for real estate is the newest trick in presenting the property being selling. This means that real estate agents, property management teams, realtors, and buyers will benefit from a 3D virtual tour. Because of this new technology, information is very well provided at any given time.

In this kind of business, the creation of 3D designs allows prospective clients to see in-depth all the spaces of the property. Clients do not necessarily need to travel physically to the exact place just to explore the area but because of the integration of 3D tools a virtual visit on the area is just a walk in the park.

Matterport, one of the most powerful and accurate ways to document a particular property, only needs to have a compatible camera and the magical trick will follow. Matterport’s tremendous 3D data setup will inevitably patch all the documents together the moment you capture stunning photos from both small to large spaces, inside or outside. You can expect an unparalleled view of the area that is created at the highest possible phase.

Adding real estate 3D Matterport to a virtual presentation is the one of most practical things to do. This tool allows prospective buyers to have 3D virtual tour of the property and allow them to see the realistic look of the property they want to buy. The state-of-the-art merging of an excellent camera and Matterport easily creates a compelling 3D product that can attract both agents and buyers buy the property.

Why is 3D Scanning Important in Real Estate Industry?

3D laser scanning of real estate brings properties to life. To most people, it’s very important to visit the property first before buying it. But with 3D scanning, this is not really true. Most especially to buyers living overseas, they do not need to go and visit in person the house they wanted to buy. Instead, they can have the luxury of moving around a particular house with 3D scanning.

These buyers can take a look at the property because sellers can conduct a virtual tour of the house. In this way, buyers will learn about the property’s aesthetic beauty and they can firmly inspect the whole area at their own convenience. 3D scanning of real estate is a proven game changer because developers can successfully showcase the model of the property in a unique fashion.

With 3D scanning at the helm, agents can only use a room filled with virtual furniture and present it to their potential buyers instead of leading buyers visit the actual site. Furthermore, 3D scanning can allow potential buyers to revisit the property a number of times at the comfort of their own home. Buyers can even change the decorations, furniture, and color of a room multiple times depending on what they desire. They can even bring those who wanted to join them during a virtual tour.

Weighing of different options is what a buyer considers before purchasing a property. Comparing two or more shortlisted properties is what every wise buyer does. Weighing all the options can save a lot of time and money using the 3D virtual tour. 3D scanning makes comparison easier because buyers can do this in minutes. They can practically make comments on the floor plans, the area of the property, and even the location of their favourite room.

In today’s generation, 3D walkthrough has made a considerable impact on real estate. It has proven time and again that technological innovations had made its mark in the design and construction of properties. By its inclusion to the marketing of real estate properties, it rendered both sellers and buyers freedom to make interpretations on the architectural philosophy of the house. It allows customers to gain a bigger understanding on the property they want to buy.

3D scanning can be modelled as a business tool to generate satisfied buyers. These buyers can independently propose additional designs, plans and ideas to come up with better deals in the future. Additionally, 3D scanning is a cost-effective solution to real estate companies in providing marketing services to their clients. With the use of 3D technology, companies can deliver better interpretation than using a 2D plan.

March 3, 2020