Photography Hacks: 4 Ways to Improve Your Listing Photos

They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, and in the world of real estate, your listing photos are no exception. When you have a new listing, you need to get it noticed by prospective sellers, and the best way to hook them in is with powerful listing photos. It’s not just to check a box — nearly all buyers start their home search online, and having a solid first impression for your listing is non-negotiable for capturing their attention and hooking them in at first sight.

A 2013 study shared by the Wall Street Journal found home shoppers spend 60% of their time reviewing listing photos and just 20% of their time reviewing the listing description. Yes, this study was conducted over a decade ago, but think about it: with smartphones and social media dominating consumers daily lives (and eyes), those percentages have only skyrocketed.

Nowadays, nearly 70% of home shoppers surveyed by the National Association of REALTORS® in their 2023 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers ranked photos as the most important feature when searching for a home online. A picture may be worth a thousand words, and also worth your commission check.

4 Ways to Improve Your Listing Photos

Clearly, having listing photos to capture prospective buyers’ attention is a must. Getting high quality photos for your listing can help the property shine in its best light, no matter the condition. To help your listing photos stand out, every time, use these 4 photography hacks to improve them.

#1. Take a Photography Course

If you’re passionate about staying in the driver’s seat of all the details of your listing, or fancy yourself a quick learner, you can enroll in a photography course to learn how to shoot listing photos. Even getting a foundational understanding of photography basics can equip you with what you need to take quality listing photos that represent the property well.

Look up courses in your local area, offered by a photography studio or community college, to get hands-on teaching from professionals. Or, head over to YouTube or digital courses on websites like Skillshare to learn from the pros on your own time.

#2. Use a Quality Camera

It seems like every year, a new smartphone is released with a pocket-sized camera that’s better than ever. Still, smartphones can’t replace the imagery produced by high-quality, pro-level cameras. To improve your listing photos, consider investing in a professional camera of your own. Similar to our first hack, make sure you take the time to learn how to use your camera and its settings properly, and have the fundamentals of photography under your belt. Laying the groundwork ahead of time will set you up for success to snap quality listing photos with ease.

No matter how good Apple or Samsung swears their phone cameras are getting, nothing can beat a quality camera.

#3. Consider Using Drone Footage

You might think drone photography is just another gimmick, but the data says otherwise. According to the MLS, homes displayed with aerial shots are almost 70% more likely to sell. When listing photos have aerial footage of every angle of the home, home shoppers can also see the surrounding areas near the home and get a better idea of what it’s like to live there. Drone photos zoom out from the property, helping buyers see more value outside its four walls. While you can DIY drone photos for your listing, it’s a safer, less time-consuming, and cost-saving investment to hire a professional drone pilot photographer to help you.

#4. Pick the Right Time of Day

Did you know there is such a thing as an ideal time to take your listing photos? No, simply picking a time when the sun is out won’t cut it. Remember, you need to highlight your property in its best light, and when it comes to the time of day, that becomes literal. Real estate photography experts recommend basing the time of day you take your listing photos on the direction the home faces:

• North-facing properties: 10am-2pm
• East-facing properties: Morning
• South-facing properties: Early morning, evening
• West-facing properties: Afternoon, evening

Twilight, or golden hour, is also a popular choice, especially if your listing has an impressive exterior or external amenities.

With these photography hacks, you can get more eyes on your listing photos in no time. Another great way to get more buyers to see your listings? Login to your RealEstateAgents.com account to receive referrals and secure new clients for your listings!