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Reminders to Live-By in the Real Estate Photography Business in Alaska

  1. Best Lighting Depends on the Schedule

Agents and homeowners believe that photographers can make magic happen no matter what the circumstances are. Well, they actually can. Their lighting adjustment skills may pull them through the gloomy weather in Wasilla or Anchorage and present bright and high quality images after the editing. But wouldn’t it be great if natural lighting is at their disposal rather than sweating off during the post-production to provide the best photos possible?

Alaska has the best natural backgrounds to provide the best photos for real estate marketing materials, but weather and lighting will have to be considered all the time when it comes to shooting homes.

For example, if the sun rises behind the property, the photographer would opt for noon or onwards, since lights will cast a shadow on the façade of the home and ruin the photo. There is just too much that contrast and brightness adjustment can fix.

Before booking for a schedule, make sure that the schedule is the best time when the lighting goes well with the camera lens. If today only has morning available, then opt for a later date rather than making it hard for both of you.

Natural lighting is still the best light source when shooting exterior. A well-lit front exterior can have a very welcoming ambience and attract more potential buyers to the property. See the difference the sun makes in this photograph.

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2. Get the Most Value of Exterior Shots

The roof is not often the most appealing feature of a home. Sometimes a drone shot may make it worse if the roof looks ugly and in turn lower the attractiveness of the property. Also, if it makes the home look closer to its neighbors than intended may shun off a few online searchers.

Depending on the home itself, there may be limits on how far or how high photos can go. A good rule of thumb is not to go higher than the upper windows.

Take a look at this photo of a home where the benefits of the elevations are well utilized.

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3. Entering the Twilight Zone

They say that the best light would be shortly after dawn and before sunset, 5AM or 5PM. 

Twilight shots can always add a magical feel to photographs. Alaska has a lot of these and we are prone to a craze. A photographer who does not have enough experience in shooting twilight may fail to create amazing images. You see, twilight real estate photographs take a lot of effort because the timing is limited, perhaps only 10 to 15 minutes. In this said time, they will need a lot of angles and enough exposures. Thus, it takes a lot of planning, skill, and knowledge of what lighting is required.

Trust only a photographer with a good portfolio if you’re looking to have magnificent shots of your property in the soft lights of twilight.

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4. Green/Violet Background Skies Not for Sale

Always, go for what’s attractive and the not-so-dramatic.

Let’s admit it, learning to photoshop candy-colored skies into backgrounds can get really exciting. Some may go for the craziest and the most ludicrous fake auroras even if it doesn’t apply in real life.

But hey, what we’re selling here is the home and not the sky. The attention should be on the property and not the background, it should not overshadow the beauty of the home itself.

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5. Stay Authentic

Adding in too much or removing what could have been necessary is a bane to editing. Be careful not to go to the extent of misrepresenting a home just to sell it. Potential buyers will still look to visit the home before making an offer. Therefore, they should much, else everything will be a waste of time. 

Sure, you can virtually stage the home and add-in fixture but that’s a different subject and should be added in the descriptions. It’s a different story when you’re misleading home searchers just to invite them in, only to find a totally different property than the one they saw online.

6. A Thing or Two to Know on Wide Angle Shots

Every photographer has a wide-angle lens in their kit. What it does is to provide wider coverage in a photograph to present what is necessary. But in some cases, they can make the room look larger than it actually is.

It could be deceiving. And that’s one thing to avoid. Some buyers may get disappointed during the tour that the dimensions they expected were not of the actual room they are visiting. And these kinds of experiences lead to negative comments and ruin the agent’s reputation and subsequently of the photographers if the agents throw it to them for the job-fail-done.

Before going for the wide angle, consider first the composition of the photo, making sure that it makes the home attractive enough for magazine quality. Take a look at this photo of a home that was styled beautifully to create a good composition.

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7. Know Package Inclusions

Agents and homeowners who are looking to have their properties shot, imagining magic-realism on their photographs, should first know what they will get with the packages that they avail. If you are booking online, you will be provided with the package inclusions and make sure you get what you need rather than demand it from the photographer on-site.

They might not have brought in the kit to fit your demands. You can’t ask for a drone shot right on site without specifying it on your order.

Also, know about the timeline, when the photos will be available and if there would be available fees. If you are not sure when you place the order, call the service provider while you are placing your order. Communication is the key when it comes to these kinds of transactions.

Good thing we got you covered on this part, aside from everything mentioned above. Give us a call to book a schedule and we’re open to conversation to provide you with anything you need to know; arrange the best schedule that fits both of us. (907) 268-7701 info@dmdrealestatephotography.com.