DIY Real Estate Photography - Tips for When You Need to Go It Alone
We get it…not every listing comes with an unlimited marketing budget. Life happens, budgets tighten, and sometimes you need to tackle real estate photography yourself. At Sun Real Estate Photography, we always advocate using professional photography when possible, but we also understand your reality. With that in mind, we’re sharing some insider tips to help you take better listing photos using nothing more than your trusty iPhone.
DIY iPhone Photography Essentials:
Keep it Straight
Hold your iPhone level, chest-high, and parallel to walls to avoid distorted lines and skewed perspectives. Activate the built-in camera grid (Settings > Camera > Grid) to keep your composition balanced.Declutter Like a Pro
Remove personal items, excessive decor, and anything visually distracting. Simplicity highlights your home's best features. Remember, “don’t worry, the photographer can photoshop that out does not apply here.Natural Light is Your Friend
Use daylight whenever possible. Open blinds, curtains, and even exterior doors to bring in as much natural light as possible, creating an inviting atmosphere. When possible, shoot with the bright light at your back.Shoot Wide, Not Too Wide
Set your iPhone camera to its ultra-wide settings then zoom in slightly. This will take away any super wide distortions and compress the furniture enough to make it look “normal”. Ultra-wide lenses can distort spaces, making rooms appear unnatural.Enhance with Simple Editing
Use the auto enhance feature and boost the sharpness, and saturation slightly. Shadows up and highlights down can often help.
Pro Tip: Mirror Troubles? Lightroom Mobile to the Rescue
Small bathrooms can be notoriously tricky due to mirror reflections. Here's a quick fix:
Removing Reflections in Lightroom Mobile (Step-by-Step):
Open your photo in Lightroom Mobile.
Select the Healing tool (Band-Aid icon at the bottom).
Adjust the brush size slightly larger than the reflection.
Tap or brush gently over the reflection area in the mirror to blend it seamlessly with its surroundings.
Lightroom automatically replaces the area with matching textures. If the initial result isn't perfect, just undo and try smaller, more precise taps.
What DIY Can't Do for Your Listing
While DIY photography can help in a pinch, certain aspects are best left to professionals:
Aerial Photography: Capturing breathtaking overhead views and providing essential context to your property's location. Remember, doing this legally requires a part 107 certificate and quite often FAA air space authorization.
Twilight Shots: Dramatic images taken during the "golden hour" that highlight your home's warmth and elegance. Twilight/sunset photography can be tricky and often requires multiple exposures blended together to get the proper dynamic range.
Consistent, Even Exposures: Professional equipment ensures balanced lighting, sharp details, and accurate colors across all photos, something challenging to achieve consistently with a smartphone.
Feeling stuck? Reach out anytime! Even if you're DIYing it right now, we're always happy to offer quick advice or discuss options to elevate your listing.
Thinking Long-Term: Marketing as an Investment
While DIY photos can help in a pinch, remember that marketing yourself as a serious player in the Southwest Florida real estate market is about planting seeds for the long term. Investing in professional photography through our budget-friendly Standard Solutions not only boosts your current listings—it steadily grows your brand image, client trust, and future business potential.
Like planting a tree, the best time to invest in your brand image was yesterday. The next best time is now. Let’s talk about options tailored to your needs, your budget, and your vision for long-term success.
Ready to take your marketing to the next level? We’re here when you’re ready.
Contact us now for a quick consultation
