Here is an article from the Boston Globe called “Advice on taking knockout real estate photos from a Pulitzer-winning photographer“, and there are some interesting points about how to shoot real estate. The piece is written by Stan Grossfeld, a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer who shoots photojournalism. Stan has done a lot of terrific work, and should be commended for his contribution.
Here’s the bit I want to focus on, Stan writes:
“Because in America, everyone who has a cellphone thinks they are a professional photographer.
They are not.”
It’s true, most homeowners and real estate agents are not professional photographers, despite what they might think about their photos. Stan Grossfeld included some samples of real estate photos he’d taken inside a home for sale in Quincy, and unfortunately they are not very good. I mean, seriously, they’re not good at all.
The images are taken at a bad angle, the verticals and windows are converging on each other, they’re poorly lit, and surprisingly disappointing.
This does not in any way take away from the brilliant work Stan Grossfeld does when shooting areas hit by war, or famine-affected children in Ethiopia. His images are full of emotion and he does a fine job as a photojournalist. I could not hope to do as well as he does in that area of photography, because that is not my area of expertise.
Hire the right person for the job
We need to recognize that just because a photographer might be specialized in one area of photography – such as photojournalism, weddings, or pets – that does not mean they’re good at all forms of photography.
When it comes to shooting interiors and exteriors of property, it takes a LOT of hours behind the camera shooting and at the computer editing. It’s a very technical form of photography – the composition and lighting has to be just right, and everyone gets it wrong when they’re first getting started.
That’s why it’s important that you hire a photographer who is experienced in the field you’re promoting. Get an architectural photographer to shoot your new architectural project. Bring in a real estate photographer to take photos of your latest property listing. Have a wedding photographer shoot your wedding.
In other words, bring in the right photographer for the right job, pay them whatever it is you need to get them there, and you’ll get the result you want.
