How to photograph your property

To take a great picture of your property doesn’t require an expensive camera. Taking a bit of time to set up a good shot can make the difference between an adequate picture and a great one.

Top tip: Landscape photographs display best on the property sites!

A good photograph of the outside of the property is a great start.

Before you take your photograph, make sure your property is looking its best. Mow the lawn, trim back hedges/plants, clear the path, remove cars from the drive and open all of the curtains/blinds at the front of the property.

If possible, take pictures during good natural daylight (not when it’s getting dark, or on a dull and rainy day), and without too much shade across the property. If you can avoid taking the picture when it is particularly snowy or frosty, do so. A snowy property being viewed in March tells a prospective tenant that the property has been on the market for a while. The same applies for seasonal decorations!

Try to get the whole of the frontage in the picture, avoiding any pavements, roads or parked cars that may be in the shot. Sometimes taking the picture from an angle can help remove these things from the frame.

If your property is one of many in a terrace, make sure it is in the centre of the photograph.

If your property is an apartment within a large block, or the exterior of the property is not very appealing, make sure you have a good internal shot of the best room to act as your main picture.

If your property has a garden or shared outside area that might appeal to prospective tenants, then include a photograph of it.

When preparing the garden, you should ensure that any grass is mown, plants are cut back and dead or dying plants taken away. Any evidence of pets or children’s toys should be removed. If you have a table and chairs in the garden, arrange them to give the garden appeal as somewhere that you could sit and have a drink or meal in the summer.

Before taking the picture, assess which view is best. For example, towards the house or away from it (if a garden is overlooked, it is often better to take a photograph from the rear of the garden towards the property).

If the garden is large, take a picture that captures its best features. If the garden is very large, it may be better to take a photograph of a part of the garden. If the garden is small, position yourself as far into the corner possible, and take the picture from a high position (standing on a chair if necessary).

It is best to take a photograph of the garden on a bright day, although you should try to avoid taking a picture towards the sun. Either move yourself to a different position, or wait for the sun to travel out of shot.

When taking pictures of the inside of the property, consider which are the most important or impressive rooms. You should take at least one picture of each of them.

Present the room in the best way possible, making sure it is tidy, removing bins, closing toilet seats, removing unnecessary clutter or personal items. It is often nice to place flowers in a room, particularly if it has little character of its own (although avoid moving the same flower display from room to room). Let in as much light as possible, opening any curtains or blinds and turning lights on. Position yourself tightly into whichever corner of the room gives you the best view. When taking the picture, avoid mirrors (this can often be achieved by taking the photograph from an angle), as you don’t want to catch your reflection, in fact, avoid taking pictures with people in at all.

If there is a feature of the property that is a particularly good selling point, for example an original fireplace, a large kitchen, a great bathroom, make sure you include a photograph. Remember that “a picture is worth 1,000 words”, and writing about the fantastic stone floor in the hall won’t convey the same message as a photo.

Lastly, take as many pictures as necessary. You can always delete them, or simply not include them in your property particulars. You know your property better than anyone, so pick the photos that you feel show your property at its best.

And, if you’re no David Bailey, why not ask us to take the photos for you. Click here to order yours now.