The importance of professional photography in property marketing should never be underestimated. A good image can take just a few moments to capture, but it creates a lasting impression and is one of the most effective ways of conveying a property’s value and desirability. The photos have to grab people, make them want to read about your property and arrange to see it in the flesh.
Gone are the days when the average property brochure consisted of a few pages of stapled typescript with a printed photo of the exterior of the property glued to the front! Fast-forward to the digital age where printed advertising is becoming less and less popular and decisions are being made via the desktop, tablet or smartphone. Our attention spans are shorter than ever and we no longer have time to read and digest large volumes of data. Instead, we scan small bundles of words and pictures and key decisions, such as buying a new home, can be triggered by good quality, carefully selected images. Competition increases your chances of getting a great price, therefore the more people who arrange to view your property, the more likely you are to get a good price when you are selling.
Photos are the main factor that makes online house hunters select which properties they wish to visit, but why is the quality and style of the photography of your property so important to your ability to sell it for the best price?
Why Professional Photography
In today’s multilingual and multicultural society, an image can transcend boundaries far more effectively than words. Professional photographers use a number of techniques to ensure that the images they create will present your property in the best way. For instance, they use professional grade equipment and can use wide angle lenses to take in a much larger view of the room than a ‘normal’ camera lens. The shot they get equates more to what the human brain will register when it scans a room and creates a mental picture of the room.
They will also consider the best angle to take pictures from, based on available natural light and the features within the room. Photographers use their professional expertise and a dispassionate eye to select the view that is most likely to appeal to a buyer.
Sean Phillips, Head of Photography at MOV8 Real Estate, explains:
“Everybody likes window shopping! Looking for a house is not all that different to shopping for anything else and, as you can imagine, there’s a lot to choose from! With photographs we are providing a ‘window’ into your home, showing it at its best. Good photographs will entice potential buyers to pick up the phone to arrange to see the property in person.
“The pictures should use a respectful combination of ambient and artificial light onsite and then be carefully processed afterwards with professional photo editing software to put the final touches to them and make them look their very best.”
Of course in terms of cost you have to draw a line somewhere. Expect to pay a modest fee to an estate agent for good, professional quality photography and ask to see examples of their work.
The pictures should take in the important elements of the room and convey the size of the property. It’s important to note that great photography starts with the presentation of the property itself. A quality camera in the hands of an experienced photographer can do many things, but it can’t wash windows, wipe worktops, clean carpets or declutter!
As Sean says, “Selling your house is a stressful time and we try to make things as easy as possible. We send out an email with preparation advice in advance of the photographer’s visit which helps. However, there is no way around the fact that the cleaner and tidier your home is, the better the photos are going to be!”
If you are thinking of selling your home and would like to know more about MOV8’s professional photography services, please get in touch with us by calling 0345 646 0208 (Option 1) or by emailing [email protected] and one our team will be delighted to help you.
You can also now instantly book a free valuation appointment, online, by following this link.
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