The real estate business has become a popular option for many. Not only does it provide you the income but if you are passionate about real estate, you gain great insights for a successful career. However, top entrepreneurs have not stopped at this. They understand the importance of creativity for a flourishing business. One such creative idea is to make a home listing-ready. They know that every business deal thrives on the actual look of the house.
And that is where the real estate photographers become crucial. A real estate photographer enhances the prospects of the deal by sheer elegance and creativity. That is why while there are numerous opportunities in real estate, one should not downplay its photography importance.
One professional who has achieved this very goal is none other than the real estate photographer Kate Devlin!
This article will take you through how Kate Devlin makes the houses listing-ready and also how you could enhance your skills as a real estate photographer.
Kate has reached the pinnacle through sheer hard work and her natural creativity. The first thing you notice about Kate is her focus. She knows what she needs in her frame and she gives time to observing and imagining. She takes the perfect photo shots of each room of the house from various angles after her careful scrutiny. All the photoshoots have one purpose - to make the home listing-ready.
Usually, an online real estate listing needs a minimum of 25 photographs. So Kate makes a point to take multiple shots of the house and its rooms from various angles. She estimates that she shoots about 525 homes a year.
Today, most of the clients prefer to tap their fingers online and search for their preferred houses. Online searches have become the easiest way to search houses. This is where real estate photography takes credentials. Kate Devlin has noted this trait and has neatly transformed the idea of real estate photography using her talent and passion.
Taking cues from her, we have gathered a list of a few types of equipment which would help you in your photoshoots as real estate photographer:
1. Camera Equipment
A good-quality camera, its lens, and a tripod are often enough to begin. However, you may require the proficiency to use additional lighting and editing techniques. Equip yourself with a shutter release cable, lenses of different aperture, along with remote triggers. You can see their use in the above photograph. Remember that's the trick Kate uses as well.
You could use a lens of 10-22mm for cropped sensor cameras is perfect. Whereas if you plan to use a full-framed sensor, then a lens of 16-35mm is appropriate. Lenses with tilt-shift can restrict converging parallels like doors and walls from showing up.
2. Shooting Techniques
Shooting techniques may vary with what style you choose to go for. But one thing you must keep in mind is to never move your camera around. This ensures aligning of pictures with different exposures . Using timers and wireless triggers produces stable images.
3. Approaching the Property
Taking a cue from Kate, the way you approach any given property is crucial. It is because any potential buyer initially views the exterior of a house. If you take a look at the sites of top real estate agents you will realize how much they care about different angles and locations of the property. So, be patient when selecting the right angle and lights.
Know the relator's views for essential features of the house before taking the photos of the different parts of the home. Let your photos point out the most minute details of the home.
You also need to pay attention to any unique real estate sign boards. It would provide your photoshoot from a different angle. If your property does not have one, you could ask your realtor or owner to make one.
4. Exterior Lighting
Knowing which exterior lighting suits your house photo shoot is important. While most outdoor projects benefit from natural lighting, you should first have an idea regarding Sunrise & Sunset. Also, take into consideration overcast skies or dull environments.
5. Interior Photography
You will find properties of all shapes, sizes, styles, and conditions. You can ask the client/realtor to prepare the home before the photo session and organize it. If even after the prepping, you find some spots wherein you could add charm, you must do that. It also improves quality. Shoot every room without leaving any 'must-shoot' corners or ceilings etc.
Adjust your camera height by the room surveillance. Find what is cozy to the potential buyers.
Getting a perfect interior exposure is challenging. You must adjust your interior exposure with exterior lighting, as well. On a dull day, you need to take extra measures to brighten the interiors for a better shot.
Windows and interior lightings are two significant sources of constant light. With the help of additional equipment, one can add better lighting for photography. You can change your exposure to darken window light.
Shooting for architects or magazines, give you plenty of photography time, unlike real-estate. So, prepare wisely. You can also play with colors. Mixed lightings from window and ceiling lights can often create magical photos that people love.
6. After the photoshoot
Once you are done with your photo shoot, you need to process your pictures following your client's preferences. Take time for any edits that they need.
According to Kate, real estate photographers must note that they are not clicking for themselves but their clients. Therefore, picture-quality is a priority. Kate emphasizes on the creative side of photography, such as angles, perspectives, and composition. One needs to master the technical side of exposure, HDR, and supplemental lighting.
If you can spare the extravagance, another great project for real-estate photography is, buying a fixer-upper home and renovating it to get a before and after picture of the property.
Remembering that it is social media that connects people, get yourself techno-savvy, and make the most of it. Kate Devlin has paved the way, and the results are showing. So what would stop you?!
Photography is highly crucial to real estate. Creative photography has given a boost to the real estate markets.
The 2017 National Association of Realtors survey states that 95 percent of home buyers used the internet to look for a property. In the digital age, no one prefers going place to place in search of their dream property. Browsing properties online is something that people resort to, which is where real estate photography becomes a big deal.
Unlike the days of black and white photography, today, the focus has shifted from exterior to overall view of homes. Photographers have taken the mantle to showcase the worth of a property through stylish pictures.
Lastly, your photo represents the property. Clients will judge the property based solely on your pictures. As they say, the first impression is the last. So make it worthwhile!
Jessica is a real estate agent with a keen interest in garage doors. Since she was a kid, varied kinds of garage doors fascinated her. She has been writing for elite garage Lynnwood for a long time now. When not guiding people on garage door repairs, she can be found traveling to distant places.
