How to Take Gorgeous Listing Photos for Your Rental

Marketing your properties effectively can take some thought. You want to write engaging listings, do your market research, settle on your rental rates, and do all the work that goes into getting the property physically ready for another tenant to occupy. In the middle of all of this, don’t forget to get some professionally done photographs to use in your listings. It might seem like a chore to leave to the last minute, but as the saying goes “a picture is worth a thousand words” and this is something you want to get right from the start. Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Hire a Professional

Smartphone cameras have come a long way, but we’re nowhere near having a replacement for experienced professionals sitting in your pocket. Even if you have some pricier camera equipment and some home-brewed photography skills, this is a task (like plumbing or electrical work) where it may be a wise move to consider hiring a professional to do the job! Assuming you pick well, you’ll get someone skilled in not only the art of photography itself but also in the use of computer programs such as Photoshop to touch up images. 

Tip: Building a relationship with a professional can benefit you over time, especially if you plan on listing many properties and know that you’ll need to use a photographer more than once. It can pay to buy in bulk in this case.

Professional photographer busy working

Think Through Your Space

If you know that photographs are something that you’re going to do yourself, then you want to think ahead about what you are doing and why. Approach your property like someone who is thinking about renting it. Try to view it through new eyes as a space that hasn’t been lived in yet. Identify a room’s best features and think about how you can visually highlight them. Before you start taking pictures, stage your space. Put away items that add too much clutter: rugs or personal photos, magnets and take-out menus should come off the fridge, make the beds, and clean up anything else that catches your eye. 

Tip: You want your prospective tenants to be able to imagine themselves in your property, so the less personal it looks, the better.

Pick the Right Spots for Your Shots

Taking a photograph of a room is a bit constrained by necessity, but there are some basic rules of thumb you can follow to get the best shots. It all starts with picking the right spot. Include three walls in the image wherever you can, and try to take the picture from a corner (or doorway) to add some depth. Remember to include amenities you want to highlight as well as door and window placement. Keeping the camera at the level of your chest will keep your photos from getting too distorted. Avoid high and low angle shots for this reason. 

Tip: You can’t Photoshop your way out of a lousy photo. Follow these guidelines, and you’ll do fine!

Get Good Lighting!

Just like with the layout of a room, you’re going to run up against some limitations when it comes to lighting. That said, it’s not something you can neglect. Remember that natural lighting will generally be the best choice for any room that you’re photographing. It will look good in still images, and it’s something that people will want when they’re living in that space. Emphasize good lighting by turning on lamps and interior lights and taking down any heavy or dark curtains and drapes. Turn off ceiling fans too! 

Tip: Be attentive to weather and the time of day when taking photos. Stick to well lit and clear days and avoid taking photos at dawn or dusk unless you are confident in the type of shot you are going for.

Don’t Skimp on Equipment

a photographer lining up a shot

If you’re set on taking your own photos, and you haven’t already taken the leap, invest in some higher quality photography equipmentYou’ll need a few things at a minimum. Your foundation will be a quality digital camera with a wide-angle lens. You’ll be able to establish better shots with this type of lens. Be sure to pick up some equipment to stabilize your camera (like a good tripod), and the equipment you’ll need to light the spaces you’re photographing. 

Tip: Don’t neglect bags or cases to store and transport this equipment! It’s an expensive investment.

Hire a Property Manager

While decent amateur photography isn’t impossible, it can be hard to do well.  Luckily, you don’t have to do it yourself. A North San Diego or North San Diego County property management company can help you. They’ll have a list of professionals on-call to help you rent your properties that you’ll be able to rely on time and time again.

How can you find the right property management company for your needs? Download our FREE guide to selecting the best property manager, then reach out for a FREE consultation and let us know how we can help you! 

Not ready to work with a North San Diego County property manager? Download our free tenant screening checklist, written just for DIY landlords.

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