5 Reasons Professional Property Photography Is Better Than Amateur Property Photography
June 18, 2020
1. Professional photographs outperform amateur photographs (Updated 2020).
Studies have shown that 98% of homebuyers judge whether or not to walk through a property by first seeing the listing photos online (Asset Based Lending). Homes that use a professional photographer for their listing on average sell $11,000 over market value and sell 50% faster than homes with standard photos (Asset Based Lending).
Photos are not the only product that can help sell. According to a 2019 NAR report, 29% of REALTORS® hire a professional to operate a drone for their business, while an additional 14% of REALTORS® plan to incorporate the use of drones in the future. 73 percent of homeowners say they are more likely to list their home with an agent who offers to create a video of their property.
In a study by FlipKey, they found “Travelers are 83% more likely to inquire about property listings that contain over 20 photos.” Professionally photographed homes receive a 47% higher asking price per square foot (Redfin). With so much riding on photos, why go the amateur route?
2. Professionals use better camera equipment.
Yes, your iPhone takes good photos of your kids and pets, but it just can’t compare to today’s advanced DSLR cameras. DSLRs have larger sensors with more pixels, better controls and interchangeable lenses. With a DSLR, you’re going to get better white balance that is more visually appealing. And the 3:2 aspect ratio of a DSLR makes for better compositions. But then, you can’t order a pizza using your DSLR.
3. Professionals know how to capture the best angles.
Amateurs typically just walk into a room and shoot. Professionals take into account the entire frame – from left to right, front to back, top to bottom. Does the angle of the bed look appealing? Is the entry to the bathroom in the frame? Is the camera height sufficient to capture the entire counter top? Does the selected lens capture the entire room without distorting the image? Professionals see all of this and more, plus know when to shoot multiple angles when necessary to capture everything a room has to offer.
4. Professionals understand lighting.
An amateur will usually close the drapes so that the sunlight coming in doesn’t “blow out” the detail in the room. This typically results in a shot that is too dark or too light.
A professional with the right equipment can capture the image in a room the way your eye sees it – with details inside the room, and window views of the outside. With today’s modern equipment in the hands of a professional, more detail is captured, colors are more vibrant, and lighting is perfectly balanced.
5. Professionals can enhance the image after the shot.
Images on TVs, fires in fireplaces and anything else that is moving do not photograph very well. This is why most professionals will turn those things off when shooting. But using post-production technology, images can be added to TVs, fires can be added to fireplaces, pool water can be made more inviting, grass greener, and the sky can be transformed to blue, even though it was cloudy the day of the shoot. While not appropriate for cosmetic enhancements that “fool” the viewer, this technology is very useful (and ethical) for enhancing things that come and go.