Taking  professional-quality photos isn't as simple as pointing and shooting. Whether you're a budding photographer looking to make this your niche or a dedicated real estate agent looking to expand your skill set, you're going to need some pointers on  getting  started.   That's  where  this  guide  comes  in.   Read  on  and  find  out  what you'll need to become a real estate photographer.

Camera Body

Don't  feel  like  you  need to break the bank in getting a camera body, as you'll also want to save some of your budget for lenses and  accessories.  Entry or mid-tier DSLRs, such as the Nikon Z6 or the Canon 6D, will do the trick when you're getting started.

Lenses

Lenses are just as critical as your camera body, and when it comes to real estate photography, you’ll at the very least want to have a wide-angle  lens in your arsenal. These will allow you to capture the entirety of a property from the outside, and make interior shots feel more immersive to interested homebuyers.

Wide-angle  lenses  can  get pricey, though, so if you’re trying to stay budget-conscious, start by checking out mid-range options like the Meike 16mm T2.2 or the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5.

Accessories

With your camera and lenses secured, you’ll now need to find the right accessories to ensure you’re prepared for whatever photography scenario you’ll encounter. For your starting kit, you should make sure you have a good tripod, a camera sling, and some basic interior lights to help make your photos “pop” when needed.

Software

With photography, almost everything is digital nowadays, so you’ll need to make sure you have the right software to process your shots.   Adobe  Lightroom  and  Photoshop are the most obvious choices, but novice photographers on a budget might also want to look at open-source competitors like GIMP and Darktable (since they’re free).

Tips for Taking Photos

Congratulations,  you  have  your  camera  gear.  Now you’re probably  wondering  how  you’re supposed to use it.   Every photographer has to develop their own style, but there are also     genuine    technical    elements    to    taking    proper photographs.

When it comes to picking up the basics of taking and editing photographs, you might want to consider some online training classes. With   the   right   courses,   you  can  learn  about  how you’re supposed to operate that fancy camera, gain a grasp of photography terminology, and start developing your talent for manipulating images with software.

As for specific pointers on taking real estate shots, you should keep the following in mind:

Preparation is Important

If  you’re  expecting  to  show  up to the scene last minute and effortlessly capture a ton of great shots, prepare to be disappointed. Above all  else,  great real estate photography requires careful planning.   This  starts  with  staking  out  the  property  you intend to shoot.

You  should  do  a  walkthrough  to  get  a  feeling for the rooms and what sort of shots would work best. You’ll also want to take the time  to  stage  rooms  the  way  you’d  like  them  to  appear  and  thoroughly  declutter  the   home so that there are no distracting elements in your photos.

Included  in  your  preparations  should  be  a  meticulous  gear  check.  You’ll  want  to  make  sure that your camera and lenses are functioning  properly  before  you  head  to  the  shoot.  Also,  make  sure  your memory card has space to capture images and your batteries are fully charged so that you can make it through the shoot without interruption.

Technical Choices Matter

You’ll  want  to  bring  all  your  technical  knowledge to bear so that you can capture the best photos possible. If nothing else,   remember   that   real  estate  photos  should  almost always be bright and well-lit.

Natural  light  is  one  of  the  most  effective ways to achieve this (so keep those blinds open), but you should also keep your flash and interior lighting handy just in case you need a supplement in low-light conditions.

Don’t Ignore the Business Aspects

Becoming  a  real  estate  photographer  is  about  more  than  just taking pictures. You’ll also want to hone your skills on the business  side  of  this  equation  as  well.  Tips  for  getting  started  include  honing your interpersonal skills, learning how to market through social media, and creating a polished portfolio that shows off your best work.

Wrapping Up

Great photos are critical when selling a home, so real estate photography is a field with constant demand and amazing opportunities. 

You’ll  want  to  make  sure  you’re prepared before you jump into the fray, so make sure to arm yourself with the right camera gear, learn the basics of taking photos, and market your services wherever  you  can  so  that  you  can  start  building  your  photography empire.