Two Dozen Top Photo Shoot Tips

by Elaine Simpson, Occupancy Solutions LLC

Because social media is a popular vehicle for marketing and advertising apartment rentals, it is important to create the best visual first impression of your product.  Professional looking photos are a must whether you or a paid photographer are taking the shots. Following is a list of two dozen suggestions for your use in setting up the best photo shoot possible:

1. Vacuum, dust, and clean all surfaces -  including windows! You may not think that a bit of dust or a smear on a window makes a difference, but it certainly does.  The camera does not overlook these details so you can’t either.

2. Take the screens off windows to increase the light from outside.  Ask maintenance to remove the screens before you take your photos and to put them back on at completion of the photo shoot.

3. Turn all lights on and if necessary add spotlights hidden by furniture to make a room even brighter.

4. Make sure there are no reflections from any lights from the glass on pictures, mirrors and windows.  Changing the angle of the shot can eliminate the reflection.

5. Shoot into the corner of a room to make the space appear larger.  

6. The doorway, or a corner of a room, are usually the best places to stand to take the shot.  Avoid standing on top of or too close to where furniture would be placed in the room. Take the photo at a height of five to six feet up from the floor.  Do not kneel, sit or stand on top of an elevated surface.

7. Use fresh flowers in every shot.   You can reuse the flowers using different vases in different rooms.

8.Include fresh orange juice in juice glasses in a kitchen or breakfast room shot.

9. Place fresh fruit (strawberries are great) in glass bowls or on white plates along with items such as croissants, etc.

10. In bedrooms, place an attractive tray somewhere using the above food/drink on the tray, along with a magazine and bright colored cloth napkins.  The tray could be set on the bed or a side table.

11. We don’t condone the use of candles by residents, however, in a photo if you use candles, light them.  Candles can also be reused in different shots in different rooms.

12. In dining room, kitchen and living room shots use wine glasses filled with cranberry juice.  It looks like the real thing but costs less. Don’t forget the fresh flowers, plates with fruit, cheese, crackers etc.

13. Slightly open the blinds of windows to let light in, but not so you can see what’s outside.

14. Fluff any drapes, but leave them open.

15. Hide all cords! That means cable, electrical and window blinds.

16. Keep toilet seats in closed position.

17. Fluff pillows and flatten/smooth out bed linens. Don’t forget to tuck in all sheets.

18. Add accessories to a kitchen such as a bowl of one kind of fresh fruit.  For example, all green apples or all red apples, oranges, pears or lemons.  Place a cookbook and accents to add color but not clutter.

19. In some situations, using a wide-angle lens will capture the room better and make it appear larger.   This works well for bedroom spaces.

20. Place a few magazines on coffee tables.

21. Add a laptop on a desk.

22. In bathrooms, be sure to stage appropriately.  For an “adult” bathroom, add water and bubbles to the tub along with candles and spa accessories.  Don’t forget the fake wine. For children’s bathrooms, add toys and bubbles. Don’t forget the rubber duckies and a little stool to stand on to brush teeth.

23. In kitchens and bathrooms, tuck the sides of any towels in and make sure no tags are showing.

24. Temporarily remove all area rugs or bathroom rugs.  Rooms will appear bigger and more spacious in photos without rugs.

We hope this list will help you with your next photo shoot.  Want more great marketing ideas? Have a current property management challenge?  Let us provide the solutions! To learn more about the services we provide, check out our website at www.OccupancySolutions.com or call 800-865-0948 to schedule a free consultation.