How to Photograph Your Property

Great photos sell homes faster and for more money. Properties with high-quality images receive up to 118% more views online. Follow this guide to take professional-looking photos with just your smartphone.

Shoot in Natural Light

  • Photograph on a bright, overcast day — soft light is more flattering than harsh sunshine
  • Open all curtains and blinds fully before you start
  • Turn on all interior lights to fill shadows, even during the day
  • Avoid shooting into windows — stand with the light source behind you

Declutter & Stage Every Room

  • Remove personal items, fridge magnets, excess toiletries and children's artwork
  • Clear kitchen worktops — leave only one or two decorative items
  • Make all beds with fresh, neutral linen and plump the cushions
  • Put away laundry baskets, bins, pet beds and shoe racks
  • Add a fresh vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit for a lifestyle feel

Get the Right Angles

  • Shoot from a corner or doorway to capture as much of the room as possible
  • Hold the camera at chest height — roughly 1.2m from the floor
  • Use landscape orientation for all interior and exterior shots
  • Keep the camera level — avoid tilting up or down
  • A wide-angle lens (or phone ultra-wide) makes rooms feel spacious, but don't overdo it

Composition Tips

  • Include three walls in each room shot to give a sense of depth
  • Make sure vertical lines (door frames, walls) are straight — use grid lines on your phone
  • Avoid photographing mirrors that reflect you or the camera
  • Capture the best feature of each room — a fireplace, bay window or view
  • Take 3–5 shots of each room from different angles, then pick the best

Room-by-Room Guide

Specific advice for each area of your home.

Front Exterior

Stand across the road to capture the full frontage. Include the driveway and front garden. Shoot in the morning or late afternoon when the front is likely to be in sunlight. Move wheelie bins and cars out of shot.

Living / Reception Rooms

Light the fireplace or arrange the hearth. Straighten cushions and fold throws neatly. Include a window in the shot to show natural light. Turn the TV off — a black screen is a dead spot in the photo.

Kitchen

Clear everything off the worktops. Close all cupboard doors and hide the washing-up. A fruit bowl, chopping board or herb pot adds warmth. Wipe down all surfaces — shiny worktops photograph well.

Bathroom

Put out fresh, matching towels — white or neutral. Remove all bottles from the shower and bath edges. Close the toilet lid. A candle or small plant lifts the shot.

Garden & Outside

Mow the lawn, trim hedges and clear leaves before shooting. Photograph from the house looking out to show the full extent of the garden. Include a seating area if you have one — it helps buyers picture the lifestyle.

Garage & Parking

Clear out clutter so the space looks generous. If the garage is used for storage, tidy it so buyers can see the floor. Photograph driveways with cars removed.

Pre-Shoot Checklist

Run through this list before you pick up the camera.

  • All rooms decluttered and cleaned
  • Beds made with fresh linen
  • Kitchen worktops clear
  • All lights turned on
  • Curtains and blinds open
  • Toilet lids down, fresh towels out
  • Lawn mowed, garden tidy
  • Wheelie bins and cars moved
  • Pets and pet accessories out of shot
  • Minimum 10 photos — aim for 15–20
  • At least one exterior front shot
  • At least one garden / outside shot

Do I need a professional camera?

No. Modern smartphones take excellent property photos. Use the ultra-wide lens for interiors and the standard lens for close-ups and exteriors. If your phone supports HDR (most do), leave it turned on — it balances bright windows with darker interiors automatically. A tripod or phone stand helps keep shots steady and level, but leaning against a door frame works in a pinch.