Importance of Using Professional Photography When Selling Your Home

Ask any homeowner and they will tell you the first impression matters. It’s estimated that 90% of home buyers use the internet to search for a home. Think about it – buyers want to visualize a property not read about it. A photo that piques the buyer’s interest can make a difference in how quickly you’ll sell your home. This is where professional photography comes in.

Why hire a professional?

While you can take the photographs yourself with a smartphone, the work is best left in the hands of a professional. They know how to capture inviting photos. What’s more, photographers know how to use light to their advantage. Also, they know how to frame the room and give it the best look. But this doesn’t mean that you have to change the colors of the walls. They can enhance the features of what they’ve already shot.

In bad weather, the photos may not be so inviting. However, with a little nip in editing software, you can see how beautiful it is from the inside. If you were to go through the DIY route, you may be tempted to Photoshop the property. But a professional knows where to draw the line. And with a little retouch, they know how to use the light to their advantage. Of course, you don’t have to remove the cracks or trees outside to make the property more inviting.

Even if you have expensive photography equipment, I encourage you to consider hiring a professional photographer who specialize in real estate photography for the purposes of home sales. It’s a different skillset from take beautiful pictures of a home, for instance. Here are some of what they have to offer:

Creating the perfect composition

A professional photographer knows all the elements that should be included. They can dictate where to create horizontal or vertical lines, where to direct focus, and how to fill the space. To capture the architectural subjects, the photographs must capture the elements that add appeal to the home buyer.

Scouting before the actual shoot

Good photos need a lot of preparation. You have to set up the day and time for the shoot. Days before the actual shooting, the photographer will come and scout your property. To ensure all angles are captured, the photographer must analyze the light exposure in your property. He will experiment with the interior and exterior lights and then try to take a few photos. This information will show what to bring during the actual shooting. Without scouting, the process could cost you dearly.

Getting the angles right

A photographer must get all the angles right – this makes the home as desirable as possible. He will ensure all rooms look neat. The truth is that potential buyers want to envision themselves living in the home. A photographer will ask you to remove personal artifacts and rearrange the room so that homebuyers are not distracted. But this doesn’t mean you should sell an empty home.

Post-production

Once the photos are taken, the photographer will choose the right photos and enhance them. It’s worth mentioning that the photographer will work with a photo director to make the selection. When the selection is made, the photographer will ensure the surroundings (grass, sky, and trees) is perfect.

When it comes to home selling, there are a lot of aspects to think about. Never underestimate the importance of hiring a professional photographer who specializes in this particular type of photograph and has perfected their craft. A few badly lit photos could mean someone moves on to the next listing; after all, your competition is just a click away. If your home looks great, the demand goes up which means a higher price. Keep in mind that photographs affect the perception of the home buyer before they even step foot in your home, so be sure that you are creating an exceptional first impression.

Next week we’ll cover the topic of staging your home, which also has a huge impact on the effectiveness of your photo