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How to Take Photos that Move Houses - 2009-06-21 |
This week, I found a book that taught me some things about real estate that I didn't know. And more importantly, things that I need to know, and things that will help me show my real estate more effectively to both potential buyers and prospective renters.
You already know that I am a big believer in taking lots of color pictures of the inside and outside of your home, then posting those photos on a website so potential customers can easily view them from anywhere. Buyers who have seen your home on your web page are prequalified. In other words, they have already seen your house and it appeals to them. What you may not know is that I am not a very good photographer, at least up until now.
The book that has changed my picture-taking skill set is "How To Take Photos That Move Houses," by Ed Wolkis. Ed is an Atlanta-based architectural photographer, and his photos clearly demonstrate a dedication to perfection. But his understandable step-by-step approach to taking great digital photos gave even me the confidence to try again. The book is available at Amazon.com and at local bookstores.
The book points out that if a picture is worth a thousand words, then a great photo can mean thousands of extra dollars in your pocket, and he is right. And his book shows plenty of before and after examples of bad pictures (like mine) turned into great pictures (like his).
I learned that lighting is critically important: early morning or late afternoon sun is flattering to a house. I learned that using a tripod will eliminate the blur common to almost all my digital photos (I previously blamed earthquakes). I learned that, for interior photos, a wide-angle lens makes every room look larger, and helps make up for the fact that you can't get far enough away from the subject to take a good photo. I also learned that I was washing color out every photo I took by using the automatic flash in situations that didn't need a flash (once again, use a tripod).
Know that I use a point and shoot camera for dummies. I still don't understand focal lengths or megapixels, but I am now more likely to look in my viewfinder and take a few moments to "compose" the picture. I am also more likely to take half a dozen shots from different angles and later find that one was significantly better than the rest.
If you are in the business of selling real estate, and you rely on the MLS picture-taker to snap an image of your listing as he drives by at 30 miles per hour, you are truly doing your seller a disservice. This book won't make you into the next Ansel Adams, but it will give you great tips and ideas for dramatically improving the results of your real estate photography.
Questions or comments?
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"EPA CERTIFIED RENOVATOR" TRAINING
Do You Work with Real Estate? You Must Be LEAD SAFE CERTIFIED as of April 22nd.
To all owners, realtors, investors, property managers, contractors, electricians, plumbers and painters. Do you ever engage in any level of renovation? If so, read this:
Any renovator, from owners to contractors, from plumbers to electricians to painters, who disturbs lead paint while working in a pre-1978 home, school or day care center, now must be Lead-Safe Certified. If you’re not, you can face tens of thousands of dollars in fines. Plus, you put the health of yourself, your workers and your customers at risk, which could result in lawsuits. One simple 8 hour class certifies you for five years. It’s that easy.
Since April 22, 2010, there are new Federal rules regarding how you perform any work that disturbs lead-based paint in homes, child-care facilities and schools built before 1978. You now must be EPA certified and follow specific work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Failure to follow the new rules can result in federal fines of up to $32,500 per day or up to 5 years in federal prison, or both. Don’t take a chance - it’s not worth it.
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