With social distancing protocols still being practiced across the world, realtors and real estate agents were left with no choice but to count on technology to weather the storm.
In addition to virtual reality and 3D tours, CEO of Nest Seekers International Eddie Shapiro states that real estate professionals are making the most out of social media platforms such as Google Meets, YouTube, and Facebook to curate virtual open houses and post promotional videos about the houses they are trying to sell.
This inevitable trend eventually led to a huge demand for real estate photographers that can bring out the unique details of homes for potential buyers to see.
If you are a photographer who wants to try your hand at real estate photography, here are some of the tools you will need to succeed.
High-Quality Camera
As a beginner, the bulk of your budget should go into investing in a high-quality camera. Thankfully, real estate photography typically requires a less demanding camera compared to other niches. If your budget is tight, you can begin with a Nikon D3500 that delivers super-sharp, high-quality images even without on-sensor phase-detection autofocus. If you’re willing to spend a little more, it would be in your best interest to go for a camera that offers more features that you can grow into and one that can handle more wear and tear.
Wide-Angle Lens
When it comes to real estate photography, wide-angle lenses are just as important as the actual camera you will be using. This particular tool will not only enable you to capture a wide space in its entirety, but it will also assist you in capturing photos that will make the viewers feel like they are actually in the room. Every aspect of the space, from one wall to the other, should be included in the photo to make the space look as expansive as possible. As highlighted in our previous post ’10 Ways to Distinguish Professional Real Estate Photography’, the right wide-angle lens should also make your photos look a lot more professional even if in reality, you are just starting out.
Tripod
To make your photos look as clear, sharp, and crisp as they can possibly be, make sure to get a sturdy tripod that can hold your camera in position.
A tripod can also help you take pristine exterior night shots or interior shots that usually require long exposures. In his review of the best tripods in 2020, photographer and journalist Matthew Richards noted that one of the tripods on the market that possesses a number of great features such as weight, price, size, and height is the Vanguard Veo 2 Go.
Photo editing software
Reliable photo editing software is imperative for real estate photographers who want to take their pictures to the next level. In his article on how professionals should be adjusting to working from home, digital nomad James Gonzales claims that by making the most out of technology and spending a little bit more on quality software, you will not only be able to achieve greater productivity, you will be able to further hone your craft. This will result in better shots that will certainly appeal to more clients.
Some of the photo editing software that you should consider spending your money on are Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Capture One, AfterShot Pro, and Photo Mechanic. If you are still raising funds for professional software, you can use GIMP or Photoshop Express, which are both free alternatives that have carved a name for themselves in the world of photography and are often seen as some of the best free alternatives to Photoshop.
Written by Tracy Wiggins
