Improve Your Photography
Getting the right photos of your property is key for success on film locations
You should begin to think about the story you want to tell. Before you pick up the camera, think about which spaces are critical and how you want to express them. Map out an action plan and take it step by step. You should also think about composition. Before you start shooting, spend some time rearranging furniture and use your camera to line up different views of the same space to create a balanced image. Wonky photos aren’t a good look. So pay attention to the horizontals and verticals within the space and aim your camera parallel to these.
Make sure you de-clutter. Especially in kitchens and bathrooms, put away the washing up and hide your Herbal Essences. A cluttered room can distract viewers from the space itself. Whilst it is important to portray the character of the property, producers need to be able to visualise the possibilities that the space offers for their own project. Make it easy for them. Be sure to photograph the details that make your property unique! The more your property stands out, the more bookings you are likely to get.
How can you improve your photography
- Keep a steady hand. Try to hold your camera straight, be careful not to tilt it up or down as this can distort the image. Blurry and distorted photos aren’t clear and will make your listing look unprofessional.
- Take ‘low shots’. When the camera sits lower than eye level, your photos tend to have more perspective and depth, adding a professional edge to your listing.
- Avoid using the flash. Photograph your property during the day and use natural light where possible.
- Take a range of images. Try to photograph all the areas of your property that may be of interest to potential TV and film producers. Include interior and exterior images to give an overall impression of the space.
- Don’t rush. Try out different compositions, angles and camera settings, take a few shots of each room and choose the best one. A potential client may ask to see more photos of your property so it’s always helpful to have a few extra images to hand.
- Expose for the room, not for the garden. If you’ve got an iPhone, tap once on the screen to set the camera focus on that spot, it will automatically adjust the exposure to get the best image possible. This can be useful for photographing rooms with lots of windows. To avoid the space appearing dark make sure you focus on the room not the window. If you have a digital camera, aim your lens towards a darker area of the room. Press and hold the shutter button halfway down to allow the camera to focus and then move the camera into the desired position. Push the button down fully to take your photo. Voila!
- Show a continuation of space to help potential clients visualise the layout of your space. Don’t ‘box in’ rooms; If you only capture a narrow scene your room tells less of a story.
- Edit your shots. If you didn’t manage to get quite the right brightness or composition in your photos, you can make final adjustments to your images off camera. Photo editing is now easier than ever, (most smart phones allow you to modify images, as well as free online software such as Pixlr) it’s great for making last-minute tweaks to image size, brightness and colour. That said, make sure you post an honest representation!