1. Order of Photos
Just as you might read only the first paragraph of a story, online shoppers may only view the first few photos of your property before they click to the next photo. The exterior, kitchen, bath and bedrooms tend to be the most wanted photo shots of a home, so put ONE OF EACH towards the beginning. Avoid filling the first 3-5 photos with similar shots of the same subject. Start with one exterior front shot, one kitchen, one bedroom, one living room, one bath, one back yard or item of visual interest.
2. Seasonal Shots
Seasons in Colorado change significantly (and sometimes it seems, daily). If your property has been on the market for 3-4 months, it may be time to update your photos. Selling a home in June when buyers consider the coming hot weather and outdoor lifestyles may differ than a buyer in October looking to have a cozy holiday season in front of the fireplace. Freshen up your listing with a fresh up-to-date photo.
3. The Money Shot
Agents and buyers tend to expect to see the outside front of a property on the first photo of every report in the MLS. But, this may not be the best selling point of a particular home. The front view of the home may appear lackluster to the sensational patio and back yard the property has, which might be missed if the only photo available is the lackluster exterior shot. Show the “money shot”! What is the best feature, best photo and best part this home has to offer? Think about rotating that image into the first slot in the MLS to attract new buyers – especially if the property has been on the market for a while.
Tip: money shots can be seasonal! If it’s spring, think outdoors. If it’s fall, think fireplace shots.
4. Sell a Feeling
In addition to the rule of thirds, lighting, etc. think about the assets of the home before you take your first photograph. When you drive up to the property, what is the first thing that draws you in? What kind of impression are you left with? Good? Bad? Big? Small? Potential? Is there any special quality the home has that might be missed by someone flipping through photos? Capture it. If your description says “cute country home” then you need to capture the feeling of that cute country home. “Large office space with excellent light”, should show space and light quality in your photos.
5. Sell Possibilities and/or Lifestyle
If you are marketing a home in suburbia, you may feel overwhelmed by the “been there done that” photos, but consider what the property has to offer that others do not. A nearby park? A walking path? Water? Photograph it. Cabin in the mountains? Add a photo of the cabin with the lake and boat in the background instead of just the cabin itself. Incredible views? Show them, but do so through a window of the home to show proximity. Golf course home? Consider leaving the golf cart in the front drive. Horse property? Barns? Show it off!
How to take better real estate photos
Real Estate Photography Series:
Real Estate Photography 101
8 Best Practices for Real EState Photography
How to Take Better Real Estate Photos
How to Market Your Real Estate Photos
Photo Tools for on-the-go Agents
IRES MLS: Come Home to Colorado 