Listing photos are one of the most important tools for selling your home quickly. In fact, most buyers would agree that they decided whether or not to schedule a showing based on the listing photos. That’s because those photos are the buyer’s first impression of the home and will determine whether or not they think the house is worthy of a tour. Given the fact that nearly 80% of homebuyers use online resources to buy a home, there is a huge number of potential buyers that will be looking at your listing photos. So, how do you make a good impression with your real estate photos? Consider the following tips to ensure your photos capture the attention of buyers.

1. Hire a Professional Real Estate Photographer

Sure, we all have cell phones that make us feel like pro’s, but the reality is hiring a professional real estate photographer is the best way to ensure you get the best real estate images that showcase your home’s best qualities. Even if you are planning to sell your home by owner, it is still well worth the investment to hire a professional who knows all the tricks for making your home look its best.

2. Stage Your Home

Just as you dress your best when showing up at a job interview, you want your home to look its best when clients first see it. Make sure your home is clean and clutter free. Remove distracting items like toys, refrigerator magnets, personal photos, and stacks of mail on the counter. Depersonalize the home and remove anything that would make it difficult for buyers to envision themselves living in the home. Consider painting over bright colors with neutrals and add some simple accents like fresh flowers, a few throw pillows, and some new rugs to make your home look its best.

3. Use a Wide-Angle Lens

When it comes to real estate photography, a wide-angle lens is a must. This allows you to capture tight or narrow spaces and it makes rooms appear much larger and more spacious. This is a huge plus for real estate.

4. Shoot From the Right Angles

You never want to take pictures straight on. Rather, shoot from the corner of a doorway or at an angle. This makes the rooms look more spacious and allows you to include more of the space in each photo. It’s also a good idea to take lots of photos from different angles. That way you can look for yourself to determine which angles work best so you can use those photos in your listing.

5. Use as Much Natural Light as Possible

When it comes to real estate photography, natural light can often be even more beneficial than ambient light. So, open curtains and blinds to let as much light in the home as possible. You want to rely on the camera’s flash as little as possible, as it tends to create shadows and reflect off of mirrors and windows. You also want to avoid taking indoor pictures on a rainy or gloomy day, as this can produce gloomy photos. For exterior photos, however, you want to avoid super sunny days because the sun can cast dark shadows on your home.

6. Use a Drone for Aerial Photos

While most photographers will use a tripod, wide-angle lens, and a flash, you should consider taking it one step further and incorporating a drone. Drone photography is a great way to capture stunning exterior images of your home and property.  Buyers often appreciate aerial images because it gives them a better sense of the property and surrounding area.

7. Make Sure the Rooms are Bright and Well Lit

In addition to opening blinds and windows, you may also want to adjust the lighting in each room by turning on and off lights. Low lighting results in dark, hard to view images which can quickly turn a buyer off. So, make sure each room is getting enough light so that your images are bright and clear.

8.  Showcase the Best Feature of Each Space

Look for the selling point of each room or space and focus on that area. For instance, your kitchen may have a beautiful bay window or an oversized kitchen island. Perhaps your living room has built-in bookshelves and your dining room has lovely crown molding. Whatever it may be, try to be mindful of the best feature of each room and highlight it with your photos.

9. Edit Your Photos

It’s a good idea to edit your photos so they appear warmer and more inviting. What you shouldn’t do is make your home look like something it's not. Basic editing such as adjusting lighting, brightness, and other contrast is perfectly acceptable. However, you do not want to misrepresent your home as this can upset buyers who schedule a showing only to find the house is not what they expected.