Property photos are the key first impression that can make or break a commercial real estate deal.
Terrific photography will engage more individuals than sales copywriting, who will potentially view and discuss a property for sale. This, in turn, can cause more inquiries for brokers.
It is important to present reliable, accurate images that offer a complete summary of the property while accentuating its best resources — and playing down potential drawbacks.
Here are some tips we have come up with to ensure that your photography sells properties:
Preparation is key
Before anybody picks up a camera, the house has to be clean and free of clutter.
Based on how big the space and the character of the company, this could take plenty of organisation so plan ahead.
Create a list of all of the photos required to match the features which are included in the list.
Prospective occupiers are interested in kitchens, common areas and end-of-trip facilities, so even toilets and utility areas like bicycle storage will have to be photographed.
Adding some interior style can make a significant difference to a space. If the inside is looking dated or the premises are empty, think about renting furniture, accessories or artwork to give it a boost.
If exterior shots are important to advertise the house or industrial property, windows should be clean and outdoor lighting should be checked.
Garden and indoor plant maintenance should be current.
When there is illuminated signage on the building, make sure it’s working.
Timing is everything
Building photos can be as hard to get as good wedding photos. Every building is different. At what time of day does the property look its best?
Before sunrise and after sunset are great times to photograph a building outside due to the low light and color in the skies — particularly if the building’s own light may be used also.
To flaunt natural lighting, photographs should be taken at the middle of the day once the sun reaches the ideal angle.
However, a contemporary high-rise commercial real estate property may also look striking against a bold blue skies with bright sunshine in the middle of the day.
Including people in the photograph can add character and motion to an otherwise corporate image.
Aspects of the property will also determine the best conditions for photographs. A roof terrace or a harbour view won’t look as inviting under gray clouds and drizzle.
Be prepared to organize more than 1 photo shoot for one house or reschedule if the weather doesn’t suit.
Professional tips and tricks
Composition and framing are the fundamental elements of any fantastic photo.
Frame the environment, such as greenery, to add interest to a photograph.
A photographer’s rule of thumb is to make sure vertical lines, such as door and window frames, always seem vertical.
A photograph taken from a very low angle will have “converging” vertical lines to prevent this, the camera ought to be kept level.
On the other hand, converging verticals may be used for dramatic effect when photographing buildings that are tall.
Think about whether or not a photo is helpful to a space-seeker. Will a photo of an untidy bush or weeds actually add value to your photo gallery?
Turn on all of the interior lights and avoid using the camera flash.
Don’t forget to make sure the reflection of the photographer, bystanders or equipment isn’t part of the picture. Check mirrors, glass as well as shiny appliances, check what indoor decoration and design can be seen from windows.
Go easy on special effects
Sure, photo-editing applications and smart devices have some terrific functionality nowadays to change pictures on the run.
Light, color and filter settings can be used to alter a photograph easily with a few taps and swipes.
But the golden rule applies — just because you can, doesn’t mean you should. You wouldn’t see photographers of award winning wedding photography using any predefined filters, and property costs a lot more than wedding photos.
Using special effects like tilt-shift can be overpowering or, worse still, distort the photograph in a way that maybe misrepresents the house.
Let a excellent photo shine through without unneeded improvement.
Be organised
When it comes to photo shredding, organisation is very important.
Photos have to be accessible and readily sourced for advertising and promotion purposes.
Keep photo libraries for every property that’s photographed.
High-resolution images will be necessary for digital content, brochures, advertising and print media coverage.
Use a cloud management system to share pictures with stakeholders so that they may be downloaded — do not send huge files by email.
Make sure caption and attribution information is correct and accessible for each picture.
Leave it to the pros
There is no substitute for finding a professional to photograph your property — particularly if they have worked with residential or commercial real estate companies before.
While high-end equipment and applications is broadly accessible to amateur photographers these days, ability and specialized knowledge will always be required to take a terrific photo.
People looking to purchase and rent Australia’s premium properties anticipate vision to match, so professional photography is a significant investment.
