Why Professional Photography Is About More Than Beautiful Pictures

Professional photography obviously should make a home look its best, but beautiful photographs alone aren't the objective. Their most important job is to get buyers interested enough to see the home in person.

Today's buyers begin their search online, often scrolling through dozens of listings and deciding very quickly which homes deserve a closer look. Every listing is competing for that attention. When the photographs fail to capture a buyer's interest, there's a good chance the buyer simply moves on.

Good real estate photography requires some thought about what buyers should notice. An updated kitchen may deserve particular attention. In another home, it could be a library with custom built-ins, a spectacular view, an unusual outdoor space, or the way several rooms connect. The photographs should help buyers recognize the features that distinguish the home from the other properties they're considering.

That's why I spend time thinking about the photography before the camera comes out. Photographing every room isn't necessarily the same as presenting the home effectively. The sequence of the photographs, which features receive the most attention, and even which photographs are left out can influence a buyer's first impression of the property.

Professional photographs won't necessarily cause someone to write an offer, but they can absolutely influence whether that buyer ever sees the home. Their job is to create enough interest for the buyer to take the next step and schedule a showing.