Real Estate Photography - Shooting Great Exteriors

In the world of real estate photography, captivating exterior shots are just as important as interior images. Outdoor spaces play a significant role in a property's appeal, offering potential buyers a glimpse into the lifestyle and amenities that await them. In this blog post, we'll explore some essential tips for capturing stunning exterior shots that showcase outdoor spaces in their best light.

Time it Right

Timing is crucial when capturing outdoor shots. Aim to photograph exterior spaces during the golden hours of sunrise and sunset when the light is soft, warm, and diffused. Avoid shooting in harsh midday sunlight, which can create harsh shadows and washed-out colors.

Consider the Composition

Pay attention to composition when framing your outdoor shots. Use leading lines, symmetry, and the rule of thirds to create visually appealing images. Consider the property's landscaping, architectural features, and natural surroundings to guide your composition.

Highlight Key Features

Identify the property's key outdoor features and highlight them in your shots. This could include a spacious patio, a lush garden, a sparkling pool, or a scenic view. Position yourself to capture these features prominently in the frame, allowing potential buyers to envision themselves enjoying these outdoor spaces.

Clean and Tidy Up

Before photographing outdoor spaces, ensure that they are clean, tidy, and free of clutter. Sweep walkways, remove debris, and tidy up any outdoor furniture or decor. Consider adding fresh flowers or plants to add color and vibrancy to the scene.

Maximize Depth of Field

Use a smaller aperture (higher f-stop) to maximize depth of field and ensure that both the foreground and background are in sharp focus. This is especially important when capturing expansive outdoor spaces with multiple layers of depth.

Utilize Natural Elements

Incorporate natural elements into your outdoor shots to add visual interest and depth. Consider framing the scene with trees, bushes, or flowers to create a sense of framing and draw the viewer's eye towards the focal point of the image.

Showcase Lifestyle

Outdoor spaces are an essential part of the lifestyle that a property offers. Capture images that convey how these outdoor areas can be utilized for relaxation, entertainment, and recreation. This could include images of outdoor dining areas, seating areas, fire pits, or recreational amenities like a basketball court or playground.

Consider Aerial Perspectives

Consider utilizing aerial photography or drone shots to capture unique perspectives of outdoor spaces. Aerial shots can provide a bird's-eye view of the property, showcasing its layout, landscaping, and surrounding environment in a way that ground-level shots cannot.

Edit Carefully

Finally, edit your outdoor shots carefully to enhance their visual appeal while maintaining a natural and realistic look. Adjust exposure, contrast, and color balance as needed, but avoid over-editing or excessive retouching that can make the images appear artificial.

Capturing stunning exterior shots is essential for showcasing outdoor spaces in real estate photography. By following these tips, you can create images that highlight the beauty, functionality, and lifestyle potential of outdoor areas, helping to attract potential buyers and make a lasting impression. Remember to time your shots effectively, consider composition, highlight key features, clean and tidy up outdoor spaces, maximize depth of field, utilize natural elements, showcase lifestyle, consider aerial perspectives, and edit carefully to create captivating exterior shots that set your listings apart.