Commercial Real Estate Photography
Real estate photography requires a camera, a wide-angle lens and a tripod. It also requires lighting equipment.
Most commercial photos are edited after shooting. This brings down costs, improves quality and increases the likelihood that potential customers will click through to the listing.
Marketing should create a vision for the customer that makes your product or service more appealing than others. In the case of real estate, this means showing off a property’s lifestyle possibilities.
Lighting
Professional real estate photographers use a wide range of equipment that helps them take stunning images. This includes high-resolution cameras, tripods, and synthetic lighting devices. While the best equipment can help produce great photos, it is important to understand how to utilize it properly.
For example, using a flash to light up a room can create harsh shadows and unflattering reflections. It’s also crucial to know that different light sources have different color temperatures. For instance, daylight coming in through windows may have a warm hue while a desk lamp might emit cool tones. This can cause a reddish or blue cast in the photos, which isn’t ideal for real estate listings.
Likewise, it’s important to note that shooting at chest height can distort the image and make rooms look smaller. Instead, you should aim to shoot at a level that allows you to capture the entire space without distortion. Doing this will also help you get a more realistic view of the property’s layout. You can then use this information to make any necessary adjustments.
Aerial Photography
Real estate photography can be challenging and requires a high level of skill. To ensure the highest quality results, it’s important to use the best camera equipment available. A DSLR camera with a large sensor size is ideal as it will capture more detail and produce higher-quality images. You should also invest in a tripod, as this will help you achieve steady shots and avoid blurring.
Aerial photos can add a new perspective to commercial real estate listings. They can be used to show the location of a property, as well as surrounding attractions and infrastructure. Combined with ground-level images, aerial photographs can provide buyers with an unrivalled view of the property.
When hiring a drone photographer, it’s important to look for professionals with experience and a portfolio of quality work. They should also carry liability insurance and be licensed to operate in your area. You can also ask for references and reviews from past clients. Finally, it’s important to know your local laws and regulations regarding drone photography. This will prevent any legal issues and ensure your shoot goes smoothly.
Hero Shots
Choosing the best hero shot is a crucial part of the real estate photography process. This image will be the first thing potential buyers see on a listing. It should be stunning, capture the property’s most compelling features, and generate interest.
While it’s possible to take good real estate photos with a smartphone, it takes a lot more skill to produce high-quality images that are professionally edited. This is what sets professional photographers apart from amateurs.
Poor angles can highlight unattractive elements of a room or close off space, while thoughtless angling can rob the scene of context and make it difficult for viewers to understand what they’re looking at.
Using the right lens is also critical for real estate photography. A wide-angle lens will help you fit more of a room into a single photograph, which is essential when shooting interiors. Fisheye lenses, on the other hand, can distort perspectives and make spaces look unnatural. Ensure your camera has a proper wide-angle lens before you start shooting. This will guarantee that your photographs are crisp, clear and well-framed.
Creative Styling
Adaptability is one of the most important qualities of any real estate photographer. Being flexible with your style will help you capture unique, quality images that set you apart from the competition. It’s also important to always keep a portfolio of your work so that you can show off your style and skills.
Another skill that real estate photographers should have is the ability to edit photos. This can be done by adding filters and effects, as well as adjusting the color temperature of an image. It’s also helpful to know how to use a wide-angle lens, which is perfect for capturing large spaces.
A good real estate photographer should always bring a tripod with them, especially for interior shots. Using a tripod allows for more precise camera settings, and it can also be used to take bracketed images that can be combined in post-processing. This is particularly useful for high dynamic range (HDR) real estate photography. It can help produce rich results with dynamic shades and a more polished final product. It also helps to eliminate the shakiness that can sometimes come with handheld shooting.
Flexibility
Real estate photographers need to be flexible in their work. The size and value of properties vary widely, requiring different levels of attention and editing. It’s important to have a clear understanding of what your clients need from you — and to be flexible enough to accommodate those needs.
For example, if the space is tight, you may need to shoot from a doorway or from the floor in order to capture the entire room. In such cases, a wide-angle lens can help prevent or diminish perspective distortion.
A tripod is also essential for commercial real estate photography, particularly for interior shots. It will ensure sharp images and steadiness for longer shutter speeds. Stability is a must if you plan to use bracketed shots for post-processing blending.
Grainy or poor quality photos are not acceptable in a real estate listing. Regardless of how beautiful the property is, buyers will be turned off by subpar images. For this reason, a good real estate photographer is well-versed in modern image editing software. This is a crucial skill that can set you apart from the competition.