Tips for estate agents looking to take better photos

West Midlands photographer Peter Lincoln is our guest blogger today, with some tips on improving the quality of your photos. Peter has a varied portfolio including commercial, portraiture and wedding work.

"As estate agents you should see your photographs as an extension of your professional arsenal. Invest a little time and money on some training and some good quality equipment. All too often I see the camera thrust upon the 'artistic' member of staff or worse in the hands of the chain smoker who likes to be out of the office as much as possible.

Good photographs are powerful things, they can inspire emotion, passion and desire. But a bad photograph can do the opposite almost instantaneously. Take a look at the photographs you are providing and take a look at what your competition are offering. The common mistake is to settle for photographs that are 'just as good', don't; be better, be the best in your area.

I have outlined a few tips which you can use to ensure your photographs show your properties in their best light.

Wherever possible shoot the house on a clear sunny day. If you need to make a repeat visit then so be it. Mid morning or mid afternoon is the best time. Avoid the sun when its too high in the sky but, at the same time, sunsets can cast deep shadows across gardens. Avoid these shadows and, if you can, shoot with the sun behind you - it will give a smooth even exposure.

When shooting inside use as much natural light as possible. This will give a soft warm image. It may be necessary to use the flash to fill in the darker areas. All cameras will have the option to force the flash on and off - try taking one with flash and one without and see which looks best.

Frame the image. It does not have to be picture perfect but this example just shows a lazy slap dash approach.

In truth this is an awful photograph. The fence and tree are obscuring the view and the house is wonky. Just a few seconds more effort could have resolved this. I would have gone a little wider and stood about 5 feet to the right, then cropped the image off to show the fence but not overpower the image with it. I would also have used the tree to frame the image on the left hand side.

Dress the scene - take a few minutes to tidy up. For external shots move cars, wheelie bins and arrange garden furniture to make the area look tidy and desirable. For internal shots work with what you have. If the house is empty, shoot from a slightly lower angle from the very corner of the room. If the room is in use arrange tables, chairs and other furniture to make it look homely and inviting.

This photograph is lazy, a little bit of effort to move the sign and the rubbish bags would have lifted the whole scene.

Take a look at this bedroom. At first glass it looks fine, but on closer inspection you will see a few flaws. Try switching lights and lamps on. Does it look more pleasing with the extra light? Even with the patio door the room looks cramped. A wider angle lens would show off the entire room. Most vitally is to square off properly. The more you look at it the more uneven it appears. The leading edge of the wardrobe should be vertical, as it is it looks like its falling off to the right.


This is a much better example. The room looks big and clean, the lamps give warmth and a sense of comfort and though the room is in use it gives the sense of a blank canvas that a new owner to put their personal touch onto.

Be sure to cover all the bases. If a property as a particular feature like a conservatory or garage, make sure its included. Most importantly of all, be honest We all know its your job to sell houses, but be truthful. Photographs like these 'powerstation photos' will not do you any favours. If the house is next to a power station, be sure to show it!"

Peter Lincoln
http://www.devotionphotography.co.uk/