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Photo & Video Best Practices Last updated: 1/15/2025
10 min read
Photography Video Media Marketing Virtual Tours
Listings with professional-quality photos receive:
5x more views
3x more inquiries
40% higher rental prices
50% faster rental times
Military families often search remotely during PCS, making photos and videos crucial for first impressions. Many will eliminate properties based solely on photo quality before reading the description.
Photography Equipment Minimum Requirements You don't need expensive gear to take great photos:
Smartphone (iPhone 12+, Samsung S20+, or equivalent)
12+ megapixel camera
Wide-angle lens option
HDR mode
Portrait/depth mode
Clean lens (wipe before shooting!)
Smartphone tripod ($15-30)
Wide-angle lens attachment ($30-50)
LED ring light ($20-40)
Photo editing app (free or $10/month)
Professional Equipment (Optional) DSLR or Mirrorless Camera
16-24mm wide-angle lens
Tripod
External flash
Remote shutter
Typical Investment : $800-2,000
Alternative : Hire pro photographer ($150-300 per property)
Preparation Checklist 48 Hours Before Photos Deep Clean
[ ] Vacuum all floors
[ ] Mop hard surfaces
[ ] Clean all windows (inside and out)
[ ] Dust all surfaces, baseboards, ceiling fans
[ ] Clean mirrors and glass
[ ] Scrub bathrooms spotless
[ ] Clean kitchen appliances (especially stainless)
Declutter
[ ] Remove all personal items
[ ] Clear kitchen counters (leave only 1-2 decorative items)
[ ] Remove bathroom toiletries
[ ] Hide trash cans
[ ] Remove excess furniture
[ ] Clear refrigerator front
[ ] Hide cords and cables
Day of Photos Styling
[ ] Make all beds with neutral linens
[ ] Fold and hang fresh towels
[ ] Add fresh flowers (1-2 rooms)
[ ] Open curtains/blinds
[ ] Turn on all lights
[ ] Set dining table (optional)
[ ] Fluff couch pillows
[ ] Hide toilet brushes, plungers
Technical
[ ] Replace burnt-out bulbs
[ ] Clean light fixtures
[ ] Close toilet lids
[ ] Remove seasonal decorations
[ ] Hide pet items (bowls, beds, toys)
Photography Best Practices Lighting is Everything Best Time to Shoot
Optimal : 10am - 3pm (bright, even light)Avoid : Before 9am, after 4pm (harsh shadows or dim)Overcast days : Actually great for even lighting! Interior Lighting Setup
Turn on ALL lights in the room
Open curtains/blinds completely
Turn on lamps and accent lighting
Use flash sparingly (creates harsh shadows)
Shoot toward windows when possible
HDR Mode
Use HDR (High Dynamic Range) for interiors
Balances bright windows with darker room
Most smartphones have this built-in
Creates more professional-looking photos
Camera Settings & Technique Composition Rules
Rule of Thirds : Place key features on grid intersectionsShoot from Corners : Shows maximum room sizeLevel Horizons : Use grid overlayHeight : Chest level (4-5 feet off ground)Vertical Lines : Keep walls straight (avoid distortion) Smartphone Tips
Shot List: What to Photograph Exterior Photos (6-8 shots) Must-Have Shots
[ ] Front of house (straight-on from street)
[ ] Front of house (angled to show side)
[ ] Backyard (wide shot)
[ ] Backyard (close-up features like patio/deck)
[ ] Driveway/parking area
[ ] Side yards
Additional Shots if Applicable
[ ] Street view (shows neighborhood)
[ ] Garage (interior)
[ ] Shed/storage building
[ ] Landscaping features
[ ] Pool/hot tub
[ ] Deck/patio with furniture
[ ] Fence (if pet-friendly)
[ ] Entrance/front door
Interior Photos (15-20 shots) Kitchen (3-4 shots)
[ ] Wide shot showing full kitchen
[ ] Appliances and counters
[ ] Island (if applicable)
[ ] Dining area from kitchen
Living Room (2-3 shots)
[ ] Wide shot from corner
[ ] Focal point (fireplace, windows)
[ ] Additional seating areas
Master Bedroom (2-3 shots)
[ ] Wide shot with bed
[ ] Closet (if walk-in)
Photo Editing Basics Recommended Apps Smartphone
Snapseed (Free, iOS/Android) - Best free optionLightroom Mobile ($5/month) - Professional resultsVSCO (Free basic) - Great filters Computer
Adobe Lightroom ($10/month) - Industry standardLuminar ($80 one-time) - AI-poweredGIMP (Free) - Open-source alternative Essential Edits Basic Adjustments
Straighten/Crop : Level horizons, remove distractionsExposure : Brighten dark photos (don't overdo)Contrast : Add punch (subtle is key)Highlights : Recover blown-out windowsShadows : Lift dark cornersWhites/Blacks : Set white and black pointsClarity : Add sharpness (very subtle)Vibrance : Enhance colors naturally What NOT to Do
❌ Heavy filters (Valencia, X-Pro II, etc.)
❌ Oversaturated colors (looks fake)
❌ Oversharpening (creates halos)
❌ Over-editing small flaws (be honest)
❌ Changing colors dramatically
❌ Adding fake blue skies
❌ Using blur to hide issues
Video Tour Best Practices Types of Video Tours Walkthrough Tour (Most Popular)
2-4 minute guided tour
Continuous walking shots
Natural narration
Shows flow of house
3D Virtual Tour
Interactive 360° experience
Matterport or similar
Expensive ($200-400)
Worth it for premium properties
Drone Footage
Aerial property view
Shows neighborhood context
Requires licensed operator
$150-300 add-on
Slideshow Video
Photos with music
Budget-friendly DIY option
Less engaging than walkthrough
Better than no video
Equipment Needed Minimum (Smartphone)
iPhone or Android with stabilization
Gimbal stabilizer ($80-150) - highly recommended
External microphone ($30-80) - for narration
Video editing app
Professional
DSLR or mirrorless with video
Creating a Walkthrough Video Pre-Production Script Your Route
Start with exterior (front of house)
Enter through front door
Living areas first
Kitchen
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Special features
End with backyard
Talking Points
Property features
Recent updates
Storage spaces
Distance to base
Military-friendly aspects
Neighborhood benefits
Filming Technique Camera Movement
Move SLOWLY (3x slower than you think)
Use gimbal for smooth motion
Walk backwards when revealing rooms
Pause briefly in each room (3-5 seconds)
Pan slowly to show full space
Framing
Keep horizon level
Show full room before focusing on details
Avoid shooting into mirrors
Be conscious of reflections
Keep yourself out of shot
Lighting & Sound
Turn on all lights
Film during daytime
Virtual Staging When to Use Virtual Staging
Empty/vacant property
Dated furniture
Difficult to visualize space
Budget constraints
Virtual Staging Options DIY Apps
Rooomy ($30-40 per room)Virtual Staging AI ($20-30 per room)BoxBrownie ($25-35 per room) What to Stage
Living room (always)
Master bedroom (highly recommended)
Dining room (if empty)
Outdoor spaces (patios, decks)
Best Practices
Disclose staging in listing ("virtually staged")
Also include unstaged photos
Use realistic furniture (not too fancy)
Match style to property
Don't overdo it (keep simple)
Alternative to Virtual Staging
Rent furniture for photo day ($200-400)
Borrow furniture from friends/family
Use your own furniture temporarily
Leave empty (better than poor staging)
Common Photography Mistakes Composition Errors
❌ Shooting from wrong angle (doorways create small feel)
❌ Not shooting from corners (limits view)
❌ Too close to subject (distortion)
❌ Cluttered rooms in background
❌ Crooked horizons
❌ Cutting off important features
Lighting Errors
❌ Shooting at wrong time of day
❌ Not turning on lights
❌ Harsh flash (creates shadows)
❌ Windows blown out (too bright)
❌ Dark, underexposed rooms
❌ Mixing light temperatures (yellow and blue)
Technical Errors
❌ Low resolution (grainy, pixelated)
❌ Blurry photos (camera shake)
❌ Wrong aspect ratio (stretched)
❌ Over-editing (fake-looking)
❌ Fisheye distortion (too wide-angle)
❌ Dirty lens (spots on photos)
Content Errors
❌ Personal items visible
❌ Messy or dirty spaces
❌ Pets or people in photos
❌ TV showing programs
❌ Open toilet lids
❌ Unmade beds
Photo Organization & Upload File Naming Use descriptive names for easy sorting:
01-exterior-front.jpg02-exterior-backyard.jpg03-living-room-wide.jpg04-kitchen-wide.jpg05-kitchen-appliances.jpg Photo Order for Listing Most Important First!
Best exterior shot
Living room
Kitchen
Master bedroom
Master bathroom
Additional bedrooms
Additional bathrooms
Special features
Backyard
Bonus rooms
Technical Requirements
Format : JPG or PNGResolution : Minimum 1920x1080pxFile Size : 500KB - 5MB per photoAspect Ratio : 16:9 or 4:3Color Profile : sRGB Quality Check Before Upload Seasonal Updates Why Update Photos Seasonally? Benefits :
Shows property is actively maintained
Attracts different seasonal searchers
Refreshes listing in algorithms
Demonstrates year-round appeal
What to Update Spring
Blooming landscaping
Fresh mulch
Outdoor furniture arranged
Clean windows (inside and out)
Summer
Lush green lawn
Pool opened and clean
Outdoor entertaining spaces
Shade features
Fall
Autumn colors
Cozy interior staging
Fireplace prepared
Rake leaves before photos
Winter
Snow removed from walkways
Holiday lights (tasteful)
Warm interior lighting
Demonstrate heating efficiency
Quick Checklist Before Shooting Exterior
[ ] Mow lawn, trim bushes
[ ] Remove trash cans/hoses
[ ] Clean gutters and downspouts
[ ] Pressure wash (if needed)
[ ] Clear walkways and driveways
[ ] Add seasonal flowers/plants
Interior
[ ] Deep clean everything
[ ] Declutter all rooms
[ ] Turn on all lights
[ ] Open curtains/blinds
[ ] Remove personal items
[ ] Stage beds and bathrooms
[ ] Hide cords and clutter
Camera
[ ] Clean lens
[ ] Charge battery
[ ] Clear memory card space
[ ] Test settings on one room
[ ] Bring tripod or stabilizer
Hiring a Professional When to Hire a Pro Consider professional photography if:
Premium property ($2,000+ rent or $400K+ sale)
Competitive market
Previous DIY photos didn't work
You lack equipment or skill
Time is limited
Cost : $150-300 per property (photos only)
Cost with Video : $300-500 per property
What to Expect Services Included :
20-30 professional photos
Professional editing
Multiple room angles
HDR processing
Delivered within 24-48 hours
Optional Add-Ons :
Drone footage ($100-150)
Twilight photos ($100-150)
3D virtual tour ($200-400)
Floor plans ($50-100)
Video walkthrough ($150-300)
Finding a Professional
Search "real estate photographer [your city]"
Check reviews and portfolio
Verify they have wide-angle lens
Ask about turnaround time
Get all rights to photos
Typical session: 1-2 hours
[ ] Set thermostat to comfortable (if visible)
Tap to focus on mid-room point
Shoot in highest resolution
Take multiple shots of each view
Use burst mode for exterior (picks best)
ISO: 400-800 (bright interiors), 100-200 (exteriors)
Aperture: f/8 - f/11 (keeps everything sharp)
Shutter Speed: 1/60 or faster
White Balance: Auto or Custom
Shoot in RAW (for maximum editing flexibility)
[ ] Windows/natural light Master Bathroom (2-3 shots)
[ ] Vanity area
[ ] Shower/tub
[ ] Full bath (if large enough)
Additional Bedrooms (2 shots each)
[ ] Wide shot of each bedroom
[ ] Closet or unique feature
Additional Bathrooms (1-2 shots each)
[ ] Wide shot or vanity area
[ ] Shower/tub if notable
[ ] Finished basement
[ ] Home office/study
[ ] Laundry room
[ ] Mudroom
[ ] Pantry (if notable)
[ ] Bonus/flex room
[ ] Unique features (built-ins, fireplace)
[ ] New appliances
[ ] Upgraded fixtures
[ ] Hardwood floors
[ ] Crown molding or other details
Batch Editing for Consistency
Edit one photo perfectly
Copy settings
Apply to similar photos
Make individual adjustments as needed
Ensures consistent look across all photos
Gimbal or steadicam
Shotgun microphone
Lighting equipment
Narrate as you film OR add voiceover later
Minimize background noise
Use external microphone if narrating
2-4 minutes maximum
Cut boring parts (long hallways, transitions)
Speed up slow parts slightly (1.25x)
Add text overlays for key info
Include property address, price, contact
Use royalty-free music only
Keep volume low (background only)
Match vibe (upbeat for family homes)
Sources: Epidemic Sound, Artlist, YouTube Audio Library
Add intro slate (address, price, features)
Add call-to-action ending (contact info)
Include logo/branding
Export in 1080p minimum
Upload to YouTube and embed in listing
[ ] All photos are sharp and in focus
[ ] Horizons are level
[ ] Lighting is even and bright
[ ] Colors look natural
[ ] No personal items visible
[ ] Rooms are clean and staged
[ ] Sequence tells a story
[ ] At least 10 photos total