How to Take Quality Photos
High-quality photos not only set your listing apart, but also attract more potential tenants. If you're new to property photography, here are some tips to ensure your listing photos look professional and grab renters' attention.
Lighting is Key
Embrace natural light to make your interior spaces look bright and inviting. Stand with your back towards a window to illuminate the room, but be cautious of overexposure. Blinds and curtains can help control light for the best shot. When possible, try to refrain from mixing natural and artificial light to avoid distracting shadows. Consider taking photos during daylight hours and turning off indoor lighting for optimal results.
Typically, it's recommended to avoid using the flash, even in darker areas. Instead, consider stabilizing your phone or camera on a tripod or steady surface. Use night mode to allow for better capture of natural light.
Preparing the Space
Enhancing the welcoming ambiance of your space is easy and goes a long way towards helping tenants imagine everyday life in your rental. Make sure the space is clean and avoid clutter for the best presentation. Next, add some light decor and furniture to each room to add some personality. Small touches like towels and plants can improve the overall appeal and give depth and dimensions to an otherwise empty space. It doesn't need to be excessive; you could pack the items into a portable tote, making it easy to pack up once your property has been leased.
Once you've staged the home, consider any mirrors or reflective surfaces you might encounter while photographing or filming a walkthrough of the space. Be mindful of adjusting your angles to prevent unintentionally making a cameo appearance in your listing!
Focus on Interior Photos
Quality is essential, but when it comes to interior images, quantity matters too! Interior photos hold immense importance, especially for independent landlords. To renters, these images communicate more than just the appearance and layout; they capture the entire ambiance of the rental, shaping a crucial first impression. We advise utilizing as many photos as possible within the guidelines.
Make sure to include photos of all rooms and areas in the home. While a corner closet might seem like a minor detail that could be overlooked, these finer details are often precisely what renters are seeking, so don't leave them out! Capture each room, and if possible, include enough photos to communicate the flow of the entire home's layout. For example, instead of just sharing one photo per bedroom, include two to three to provide more perspective, showing where the doors lead, the closet size, the number of windows, and so on.
Take wide shots at waist or countertop height to avoid distortions. Keep your images level and straight, and make use of your phone or camera's grid features to ensure vertical lines are aligned. For clear and consistent photos, consider using a tripod, especially in low-light conditions.
Most importantly, when selecting your main photo (the preview image displayed on the housing search page), consider which images will mostly likely catch renters' attention. It's advisable to opt for an interior shot of a central area like the kitchen, dining room, or living space, evoking the feeling of stepping into the home for the first time.
Highlight Property Features
Give potential renters the opportunity to envision their daily life and the advantages of your property's location by showcasing community features in both your images and descriptive text. If your property includes community amenities such as a pool, fitness room, bike storage, or dog park, make sure to feature photos of these amenities.
Moreover, consider including images of nearby popular landmarks or local attractions within walking distance. For instance, if your property is close to downtown, include 2-4 scenic photographs of the downtown area and provide information on the distance from these locations in the caption or listing description to provide context. If your property is situated further from campus, consider featuring local hotspots that could attract graduate students or faculty seeking to settle into the community and integrate more with local life.
Consider Taking a Video
Video has become a central tool in leasing, especially for college students. You can enhance your listing by incorporating quality video tours taken with your smartphone! For more information, visit our step-by-step guide to creating a virtual tour.
We're here to help!
If you'd like some more insight, visit the Apartments.com Help Centre for helpful tips on photo editing, formatting, finding the best resolution, and more. Also, feel free to contact customer support if you have any questions or suggestions for your listing photos.