Creating professional-looking location photos with a smartphone is both achievable and cost-effective. With advancements in smartphone camera technology, you can produce high-quality images that will attract potential hirers.
Key elements that elevate a location photograph are meticulous and balanced composition, strategic lighting for mood, and curated staging that evokes a lifestyle. These features combine to create a photo that captivates and enhances your property’s appeal.
Our step-by-step guide breaks down everything you need to know, from what equipment to use to how to best highlight each room. The best professional-looking location photos capture the unique features of your property — and the imagination of potential hirers.
1: Create a Shot List
The first step is to plan the order of the rooms and details you will photograph. This is called a shot list. It might seem like overkill at first, but planning out your shoot will make it much easier to sort through your pictures. See link for shot list HERE
2: Highlighting Key Features
Identify and focus on the unique features of your property. This could include:
Architectural Details: Showcase unique architectural elements
Unique Interiors: Highlight features like design elements, interesting spaces and and fixtures.
Outdoor Spaces: Capture gardens, patios, pool, views, driveway and access points.
3: Decluttering the Space
A clutter-free environment makes rooms look more spacious and inviting. Before photographing, take time to:
Remove Personal Items: Clear away personal belongings, including family photos and personal memorabilia.
Tidy Up: Ensure all surfaces are clean and free of unnecessary objects. Put all excess items such as cords, bottles, or day-to-day items away, straighten the linen, and fluff the cushions.
Stage the Area: Rearrange furniture and decor to highlight the space's best features and move objects out of the way for a clean, simple shot. Look outside the windows and check the view. Tatty outdoor furniture, cars parked in the driveway, or dead plants will distract from the picture because they’ll draw the viewer’s eye. Make sure the landscape looks as beautiful as the interior.
4: Maximising Natural Light
Natural light enhances the clarity and colour accuracy of your photos. Follow these tips to make the most of available light:
Shoot During the Day: Mid-morning to early afternoon offers the best lighting conditions.
Open Curtains and Blinds: Allow as much natural light as possible to fill the room.
Turn Off Artificial Lights: Mixed lighting can cause colour balance issues. Natural light is more flattering.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Harsh shadows can detract from the image. Use indirect light for a softer look.
5: Choosing the Right Smartphone
Ensure that you are using a smartphone with a high-quality camera. Leading models from brands like Apple (iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 14), Samsung (Galaxy S21, Galaxy S22 Ultra), and Google (Pixel 6, Pixel 7) offer excellent cameras with features like high megapixel counts, advanced image processing, and versatile lens options. Look for features such as:
High Resolution: Ensures detailed images.
Multiple Lenses: Wide-angle, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses provide flexibility.
HDR Capability: Balances exposure in high-contrast scenes.
Manual Controls: Allows for fine-tuning settings like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance.microfibre
6: Cleaning the Lens
A clean lens is essential for clear, sharp photos. Use a microfibre cloth to gently wipe the lens, removing dust, fingerprints, and smudges. Regularly cleaning the lens ensures your photos are free of haze and blurriness.
7: Pay Attention to Composition
Set up the room - Take a minute to set up each room for the best shot possible. This will save you time in the long run because you will have less re-shooting and editing to do.
Composition is important, even in an empty room.
Consider the Space: What is the room’s best feature? What do you want to highlight in the final photograph? Try to include features to help give the viewer a sense of the floor plan.
Determine the Best Place to Stand: Doorways and corners are good choices because they allow you to include as much of the room as possible in one shot.
8: Using Gridlines for Composition
Gridlines help you compose balanced and aesthetically pleasing photos by following the rule of thirds. This technique involves placing key elements along the gridlines or their intersections. To enable gridlines:
iPhone: Go to Settings > Camera > Grid.
Android: Open the camera app, go to Settings, and enable the grid option.
Use the rule of thirds - this will help you pick an angle that will show the room to its best advantage. Divide the iPhone screen into nine equal-sized boxes stacked three-by-three using the grid. Use the grid boxes and their intersection points to compose your shot. Place the main points of interest in the room on the four intersection points to balance the photo and create more tension, energy, and interest. The viewer’s eye will be drawn to these points and the photo will appear more dramatic. Use photography’s rule of thirds to guide you.
9: Stabilising Your Shots
Stability is key to sharp images. Even minor hand movements can blur photos. Use these methods to keep your smartphone steady:
Tripod: Invest in a smartphone-compatible tripod for maximum stability.
Stabiliser/Gimbal: For more flexibility, a gimbal stabilizer can help keep shots steady while moving.
Lean on Surfaces: If a tripod isn’t available, lean against a wall or rest your phone on a stable surface.
10: Shooting in Landscape Mode
Landscape orientation is generally preferred for location photos as it captures more of the room. This orientation provides a better sense of space and layout. However, use portrait mode for:
Tall Features: Elements like staircases or vertical architectural details.
Detail Shots: Close-ups of unique features or decor.
11: Experimenting with Angles
Vary your shooting angles to provide a comprehensive view of the property. Try different perspectives such as:
Eye-Level Shots: Natural and most common for room views.
Low Angles: Can make rooms appear larger and ceilings higher.
High Angles: Useful for capturing floor layouts or showcasing unique features from above.
12: Including Exterior Shots
Don’t forget the exterior, as it provides the first impression of the property. Ensure you capture:
Front and Back Views: Show the main entry and backyard.
Landscaping and Outdoor Features: Highlight gardens, patios, pools, and other amenities.
13: Editing Your Photos
Editing is crucial for refining your images. Use editing apps such as Lightroom, Snapseed, or VSCO to enhance your photos. Key adjustments include:
Brightness and Contrast: Ensure the photo is well-lit with good contrast.
Color Correction: Adjust white balance to ensure colors are accurate.
Cropping and Straightening: Correct any skewed lines and crop to improve composition.
Sharpness and Clarity: Enhance details without over-sharpening.
Conclusion
Creating professional-looking location photos with a smartphone is entirely possible with the right techniques and tools. By focusing on lighting, composition, and detail, you can produce high-quality images that attract potential hirers and showcase your property effectively. With practice and attention to these guidelines, your smartphone can be a powerful tool. Happy shooting!