Real Estate Photography Basics for a Professional Look

Professional-looking real estate photography rests on three basics: use as much natural light as possible, keep vertical lines straight, and clear and clean the room before you shoot. Get these right, even on a phone, and listings look credible and attract more inquiries.

The right light and time to shoot

The shooting time affects the image more than expected. Soft daylight makes a room look bright with true color, and opening curtains plus room lights always helps. Avoid harsh midday sun that casts hard shadows on floors and walls.

• Shoot mid-morning to afternoon when light fills the room
• Turn on every light to erase dark-corner shadows
• Turn off the flash to avoid harsh shadows behind subjects
• If the room faces strong sun, filter it with sheer curtains

Angles and straight lines that read true

Shoot from a room corner to capture the most space, hold the camera at chest height, and keep wall lines vertical. Tilted lines make a room look warped and less trustworthy, so use the phone camera's grid to line things up.

Always prep the room before shooting

A good photo starts before the shutter. Clear clutter, hide cables, straighten cushions and linens, and wipe reflective surfaces to a shine. A well-prepped room shoots easily and needs almost no editing afterward.