What Camera Should You Use for Real Estate Photography?

December 16, 2014

Many real estate agents are intimidated merely by the thought of shooting their own photography. It’s easy to understand why they feel that way. Quality real estate photography takes knowledge, the proper equipment, and most importantly, practice! With so many different equipment types and photo-techniques available, getting started can seem like an overwhelming task!

If you have been keeping up with our previous posts, you know by now that it is not the camera that determines a good photo, but the photographer. There are a variety of different cameras and lenses for a person to choose from, but there is a different tool for every job, and a different budget to work with every time.

Whether you have a $200 point and shoot camera, a smartphone or a DSLR, its all about taking a good photo. That being said, certain cameras have their limitations. Different lenses and cameras are made for different uses. I want to start with the basics. So here’s a little camera shot to try out. Go to your kitchen and try to take a photo with your smartphone. You may find out that you aren’t able to see your whole kitchen unless you start stepping backwards! So this is where a wide angled lens comes in.

There are obviously advantages to using a camera with a wide-angled lens:

1. It shows more of the living space within the home and provides a better overall view of the exterior.

2. It shoots smaller interior spaces like bedrooms and bathrooms without being forced to back up all the way into room corners.

3. It gets good shots of the front of the home without having to stand so far back that you’re standing in the middle of the road.

If you’re unsure of which camera to get, go with a more affordable option first, then upgrade later as your skills improve. There are many affordable digital cameras out there that can make a huge difference in your real estate photography. And if money is tight, use sites like Ebay, Amazon, or Craigslist to get quality used equipment. Just don’t forget your wide angled lens!

But if you’re limited to your smartphone for pictures, there are options out there that will help you improve your shots. Try the Olloclip. (http://www.olloclip.com) This converts your smart device to have a wide angled lens. If you want to search for off brand adapters you can find a variety online.