Hi Mike, I am really enjoying your real estate photography tips! There are a couple of questions I have about this one though. In real estate sales, is it OK to remove something permanent like a vent? Also, I do believe that intimate is nice but wouldn't the buyer like to see how spacious that kitchen is? Looking just at the final product I may think that it was a nice kitchen in a small condo. Just my 2 cents and it's probably worth less than that. None the less you do beautiful work. Thank you!!
You touched on a great point - documenting the space vs telling the story. Where do I come down on it? Do both. First and foremost, recognize the difference between the two. Second, know the agent you're shooting for. Some agents will prefer documenting the space, others want the 'feeling' of the story - it all depends on their marketing approach. Their opinion will often dictate the approach I take to a shoot. If I'm not sure which way they're headed, (and often times neither do they), I shoot it both ways and let them pick. It's always better to give your clients options - it puts them in control.
In regards to removing vents, I'm OK with it as they are small cosmetic distractions in images. Saying that, I don't support removing telephone poles, power lines, sidewalks, etc. from exterior shots as it gives the wrong impression of a property when someone does that. One can shoot 'around' those things, but I can't get behind removing them. Think of it this way - will prospective buyers be disappointed in reality? When it comes to large distractions that impact the sale (i.e. wires, poles, trees, etc.), they will, but small details like vents won't.
Monday, May 17, 2010 at 9:20AM
Reader Comments (2)
Hi Mike,
I am really enjoying your real estate photography tips! There are a couple of questions I have about this one though. In real estate sales, is it OK to remove something permanent like a vent? Also, I do believe that intimate is nice but wouldn't the buyer like to see how spacious that kitchen is?
Looking just at the final product I may think that it was a nice kitchen in a small condo. Just my 2 cents and it's probably worth less than that.
None the less you do beautiful work. Thank you!!
Thanks for the compliment PeaceSeeker,
You touched on a great point - documenting the space vs telling the story. Where do I come down on it? Do both. First and foremost, recognize the difference between the two. Second, know the agent you're shooting for. Some agents will prefer documenting the space, others want the 'feeling' of the story - it all depends on their marketing approach. Their opinion will often dictate the approach I take to a shoot. If I'm not sure which way they're headed, (and often times neither do they), I shoot it both ways and let them pick. It's always better to give your clients options - it puts them in control.
In regards to removing vents, I'm OK with it as they are small cosmetic distractions in images. Saying that, I don't support removing telephone poles, power lines, sidewalks, etc. from exterior shots as it gives the wrong impression of a property when someone does that. One can shoot 'around' those things, but I can't get behind removing them. Think of it this way - will prospective buyers be disappointed in reality? When it comes to large distractions that impact the sale (i.e. wires, poles, trees, etc.), they will, but small details like vents won't.
Hope that helps,
Mike