How to Photograph Your Property
Your photos are the first thing buyers see — and first impressions count. Great property photos don't require a professional camera, just a little preparation and the right approach.
The Golden Rule: Honesty Sells
Your photos must give buyers an accurate, honest representation of your property. When someone arrives for a viewing, they should recognise exactly what they saw online. Misleading photos — even unintentionally — will create awkward viewings, damage trust, and reduce your chances of a sale. Show the property as it truly is, at its best.
Prepare Each Room First
Before you pick up your phone or camera, spend time getting each room ready. Think of it as staging for a viewing.
- Declutter every surface — less is more. Remove ornaments, post, random items on worktops.
- Clean thoroughly — buyers notice dirty windows, dusty shelves, and grubby kitchens.
- Tidy away personal items such as clothes, shoes, toys, and toiletries.
- Make beds neatly and straighten cushions on sofas.
- Clear kitchen worktops — put away appliances, washing up, and dish racks.
- Remove bins, pet bowls, and anything that distracts from the space itself.
- Open blinds and curtains fully to let in as much natural light as possible.
Taking the Photos
- Shoot from corners and doorways — this gives the widest view of the room and shows its true size.
- Hold your phone or camera at chest height, keeping it level to avoid distortion.
- Take photos in landscape (horizontal) orientation.
- Use natural light wherever possible — turn off artificial lights if they create an orange cast.
- Take multiple shots of each room and choose the best one.
- Include every room — hallway, kitchen, living room, all bedrooms, bathrooms, and garden.
- Photograph the front of the property from the street to give buyers an honest exterior view.
What to Avoid
- Close-up shots of furnishings, artwork, or decorative items — no matter how stylish they look, they don't help buyers understand the space.
- Heavily filtered or edited photos that misrepresent room size, colour, or condition.
- Dark or blurry photos — if you can't see it clearly, retake it.
- Photos with people, pets, or reflections of yourself in mirrors.
- Cropped shots that hide part of a room — show the full picture.
- Photos taken at awkward angles that distort proportions.
Good vs Bad: See the Difference
A side-by-side comparison of the same room photographed well versus poorly.
Same room, tidied and well-lit — buyers can see the space clearly and imagine themselves there.
Same room, but clutter and poor light make it feel smaller and less appealing — exactly what puts buyers off.
Remember
Buyers browsing online are making quick decisions. Clear, bright, honest photos of a clean and tidy property will always outperform artistic close-ups of a cushion or a vase of flowers. Show people the home they're buying — the rooms, the space, the light. That's what sells a property.
