Photographing Your Home FAQ
Why do I need professional photographs of my home? Aren’t simple snapshots good enough?
The way buyers shop for pretty much everything has changed drastically. They can select from several hundred items and narrow down to 2 or 3 in a matter of an hour – without ever leaving their laptop, tablet or smartphone. The decisions they make, whether buying a gift or buying a home, are going to rest on the emotional reaction they attach to the visual images they see.
So, these are better than smartphone pictures?
If we are going to create better images of your home, we may as well go all the way. The images we create will be professional, magazine-quality images that will capture the attention of prospective buyers.
And this will sell my home?
High-quality photographs could be the single most important thing you can do to help sell your home but photos alone probably aren’t going to sell a home. It isn’t likely that someone will write a check without seeing the home in person. The goal of these photographs is to get the buyer to turn off the computer and call your Realtor – and it works.
So, buying a fancy camera isn’t going to get me the same results?
Probably not. You could turn someone loose in the kitchen of any famous chef, with all of their tools and equipment and ingredients, but you still probably wouldn’t end up with the same meal.
So how long will this take?
Generally it takes about an hour, more or less. We plan for a two hour window and shoot until finished. Every home is different, every home is unique, every home is a blank canvas. We stay until the feel of your home has been captured.
What gets photographed?
The photos primarily consist of the major living areas of the home. Because the number of photos permitted on many real estate sites is limited to 25 to 35 some areas or features are not photographed unless specifically requested. Examples of those areas not photographed would be closets (except large, impressive closets), unfinished areas (unless to show potential use like a basement), laundry rooms, pantries, garages, etc. The photos potential buyers see online are a first step in getting them into the home where they can ‘kick the tires’. In much the same way as a new car brochure – you see the parts of the car that get you interested and that doesn’t include a photo of the glove box or the spare tire.
Do you ‘photoshop’?
The photos are taken as the property appears at the time of service. Part of our process may involve software editing, including photoshop, so as to make the image appear as the eye sees it. As good as today’s camera technology is they still can not reproduce the detail of the human eye. Manipulation or ‘photoshopping’ in lieu of cleaning, painting, decluttering, removal of vehicles, hoses, cords, etc. is not part of the standard production of ‘MLS package’ photos.
Can I be home for this?
Sure! We may make you hang out in the laundry room for a few minutes, but that’s just part of the fun. It might give you an opportunity to inventory your cleaning supplies.
How do I get ready?
First, don’t panic. Many homes look fine but there’s probably a few things you can do to better prepare your home. We always tell people to prepare as if they were getting the home ready for the most important buyer they can imagine. Remember, this is going to be most people’s introduction to your home. Clear away the clutter, fluff the pillows, put the trash cans around back. Check out the rest of our site for tips on just about every room of the house and the areas outside the home.
Who owns the photographs?
Good question. We do. It’s just like buying a music CD. You get the songs to listen to forever. But you don’t own the songs – the musician does. You can’t re-record the album and start selling it on the street. We share the pictures with your Realtor, and they can share them with you. You can print them, post them to Facebook, keep them forever. However, if Better Homes and Gardens Magazine wants the picture of your kitchen for a feature spread, that’s where we come back into the picture. See Copyright and Limited Licensing below
How did you come up with the idea for this?
Honestly this isn’t a new concept. Marketing, like fast food restaurants spending millions of dollars a year photographing a $4 hamburger, is how products and services are sold. Big companies know that creating an emotional connection is critical to attracting customers. And if it’s good enough for a $4 hamburger, shouldn’t it be good enough for one of the most important investments someone can make?
Why Is My Realtor Doing This?
Because they are smart, savvy business owners that have a well-defined marketing plan.
Copyright and Limited Licensing
Under Federal Copyright law (US Copyright Act, Title 17, US Code), The First Showing LLC (Photographer) owns the copyright to all images produced. The Client is purchasing Limited Licensing Rights to use images in marketing of this single property. Images may not be used to market other similar properties. Images are licensed solely to the Client who paid for the service and solely for marketing this specific property for sale. “Third-Party Use” rights are not granted and images may not be provided, distributed or sold to any third party including, but not limited to, stagers, homeowners, builders, other agents, or any print or Internet publication without the consent of the Photographer. Client agrees to refer all third parties requesting USE of said work, directly to Photographer. Photos used in magazines and/or marketing publications must also include a credit to the Photographer. Photographer reserves all other rights including Editorial Use. A returned check, declined credit card or lack of payment voids any and all Rights to Use the work and deems any and all USE as an infringement on The First Showing LLC’s copyright. A retainer shall not be considered payment in full. Community, lifestyle, landscape, common area amenities, etc. images for the specific property to be used beyond the marketing of the specific property may be purchased for an extended license usage fee which will be based on length of license and intended use.