Photography 101- an introduction
Anyone who has perused the pages of Architectural Digest can appreciate the fine photography within its glossy pages. These lavish photo spreads are produced with extremely high production values - along with eye popping budgets. This kind of work is still done with exotic large format camera and lighting systems that cost as much as the family SUV. High end architectural photography is a meticulous and painfully slow process.
In addition to the fancy camera technology there is usually tons of high end lighting that makes a family home resemble a Hollywood filmset. Meticulous lighting can balance the interior with the summer sunlight in the gardens. Dark outdoor winter light can be negated with fake "sunlight" that is blasted through the exterior windows.
On shoots like these there is usually an artistic team of busy designers and stylists who fuss over every detail and nuance to match the theme of the shoot. Truckloads of furniture, curtains, books and nicknacks help "finish" the photographs. Every detail is taken care of. Living room carpets and area rugs will be raked "just so" until they look perfect. Everyhting is perfect.
OK, what's behind curtain number two? The other end of the spectrum usually has the busy real estate agent doing the photography by him/her self. Its just another one of the frantic chores that agents will work through to get a property listed. The photographs are captured quickly, usually with a small digital point 'n shoot set on "idiot mode", hand held in one hand (the other holding the briefcase) with the flash blasting out for several feet when the camera thinks it needs it. Sometimes the rooms are either shot empty or with the seller's furnishings on display in all their "glory." The quality consistency this exercise produces is what one would expect...
There is of course a sensible middle ground here. Professional home staging and photography services makes all the difference. Interior design staging makes a huge impact. One of the design professionals I work with calls it "turning 1950's grandma into Potter Barn cool..." The home staging design and photography are the two main visual tools for presenting a property to home buyers.
Chances are buyers will see the images before viewing the actual home. The staging is an important factor in the quality of the photos. Experienced staging designers will know how to create the sense of a room's potential. A potential buyer will first see this in the photos. Even if the buyer visits the home without seeing any images beforehand odds are he/she will certainly do so afterwords if there is any interest in the home. You can be sure that the interested buyer will email the gallery link(s) to family and friends. This emotional support group might never see the home in person so their "thumbs up" or "thumbs down" verdict will come from their gut impression to the photos they explore.
For real estate agents this is all about creating a consistent presentation that will help connect with buyers, keep anxious sellers happy and provide an overall impression of quality and professionalism.
More discussion to come...