Taking good quality photos for your Listing

Learn how to capture great content of your listing property without fancy equipment. 

Your photos are one of the most important tools you have to market your listing. Good quality photos can make a big difference in whether or not potential buyers are interested in your property. You don’t need expensive equipment to take great photos – you can use your smartphone!
 

You don’t always need fancy camera equipment to capture quality content. Using your smartphone, you can snap high-quality images. Here’s how… 

Tips to help you take quality listing photos with your smartphone: 

 But first, make sure the property is clean and clutter-free before taking photos. This will help the property look its best in the photos.
 

• Play with the Settings 

Many phones have camera settings we don’t even know exist. For example, the grid setting. 

• For iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera and from there you can toggle your phone’s grid to On. 
• For Android: Launch the camera app, go to Settings, scroll down, and switch the Grid lines option to On.  

Grids can help to ensure your image is level and balanced. You can also refer to the rule of thirds: a composition guideline that places your subject in the left or right third of an image, leaving the other two-thirds more open.  

• Turn off the flash

When you are taking photos of your unit, try turning off the lights (when photographing a bright window-lit space during the day). If needed, turn on the lights (but avoid the fluorescent kind). Also turn off the flash on your phone. The flash creates a harsh look, and is often not needed when you have good window light coming in. 

• Take photos in natural light whenever possible.

Natural light is your friend! Try to take photos during the daytime when there is plenty of natural light available. Sunlight makes rooms look bright and cheerful. If you’re taking photos indoors, open the curtains or blinds to let in as much natural light as possible. 

• Turn Your Phone Sideways 

When you take photos in a landscape orientation, you expand the range you are able to capture of the space. Depending on what phone you have, you may have a wide-angle option, which would be a great option for small spaces especially
 

• Adjust the Brightness 

Don’t be afraid to adjust the brightness and contrast in your phone settings while taking photos of your space. This limits the editing you need to do afterwards and can correct a problematic dark corner, just like that.  

With these tips, you’ll be able to take great listing photos! At Portsmouth Residential, we value remarkable listing photos as it defines the very identity of our brand, so make sure to take advantage of this marketing opportunity for your own personal brand. Try these simple methods out and see how you can capture beautiful images of your space by yourself.
 

Happy shooting!