10 real estate photography mistakes to fix
Most weak listing photos fail for simple reasons. Each one below takes minutes to fix. Most need no new gear.
Updated on
The ten mistakes
1. Tilting the camera
Walls lean when a phone points up or down. Hold it level at chest height.
2. Shooting too high
Eye height shows the tops of furniture. Chest height feels more natural.
3. Leaving lights off
Dark rooms look small and cold. Turn on every lamp and open the blinds.
4. Mixing warm and cool light
Lamps and daylight fight each other. Use daylight bulbs when you can.
5. Blown out windows
Bright windows turn white. Shoot at a softer time of day or use bracketing to keep the view.
6. Using only the widest lens
The 0.5× lens bends lines. Step back and use 1× when the room allows.
7. Leaving personal things out
Move photos, mail, medicine and pet bowls before the first shot.
8. Skipping a dirty lens check
One fingerprint makes every photo hazy. Wipe the lens first.
9. Uploading small files
Screenshots and texted copies lose detail. Upload the original JPEG.
10. Editing too far
Heavy edits can mislead buyers and break MLS rules. Keep the home looking like the home.
Before you publish
Run through the listing photo checklist and check which edits need a label in our MLS photo rules.
Questions and answers
What is the most common real estate photo mistake?
Tilting the camera. Leaning walls make a room look wrong even when everything else is good.
Can editing fix a bad listing photo?
It can fix light, color and small tilts. It can't fix a blurry shot or a messy room, so get those right first.
Do I need a professional camera?
No. A recent phone used with care works for many listings. Good light and a level shot matter most.
Edit your listing photo, keep the original.
Start with one photo. Your original always stays as you took it.