5 Tips on How to Take Real Estate Photos With Your Cell Phone

Are you a real estate agent that just got a new listing, but find yourself needing photos ASAP and can't get a professional photographer in for a couple days? Or are you looking into starting a new side hustle and want to try taking real estate photos?

Below you are going to find 5 helpful tips on how to take great real estate photos using your cell phone!

Tip #1 - Use a tripod!

This is probably the most important tip I can give you. Using a tripod will give your photos nice crisp lines and sharpness in details versus holding it with your hands. This is because

when you hold your phone to take the photo you can not stand perfectly still which will create motion blur in your photos. Granted some phones are good at adjusting for this, but any bit of motion blur can really ruin a great real estate photo.

Tip #2 - Use a self timer

This tip is another important one that goes along with the tripod. Using a self timer will prevent you from moving your cellphone when you press the shutter button. This will help prevent motion blur 100%

Tip #3 - Turn every light on BEFORE you take photos

This tip is pretty much an industry standard. Turning every light on in the house before your shoot not only gives you better lighting for your photos, but it also gives you a chance to go through and get a feel for all the rooms and make them photo ready.

Tip #4 - Use the wide angle setting

Phone cameras these days have multiple lenses on them. One is a typical zoom lens and the other is usually a wider angle lens. Using the wider angle setting allows more of the room in your photo making the space look bigger. It also helps when you're in smaller spaces such as half baths and narrow spaces allowing you to get everything in one shot.

Tip #5 - Photo height

This final tip is more of a technical one that may not seem important, but I feel it's important enough that it made this list. I've seen many realtors that don't use professional photographers post photos of their listing using a cellphone holding the camera a foot over their head. This is a big no-no. First off, if you're following tip number one you are using a tripod and this won't apply to you.

When you are taking photos of open spaces such as living rooms, dining rooms or kitchens I like to have the camera height to be at about chest height. High enough to be above the kitchen counters and dining room tables. This makes the photos more visually appealing and also gives prospective buyers a nice view of the countertops!

For smaller spaces such as bathrooms and bedrooms try lowering the camera down to about doorknob height. This gives smaller spaces a much bigger feel and also allows you to get things like toilets and bathtubs in frame. Be careful though if the vanity is higher than the doorknob you want to raise the camera up so you can see the top of it. Same goes with beds that sit higher.

Additional thoughts:

These tips are things I use for every house that I photograph. I guarantee you will notice a difference in your photos if you have tried taking real estate photos before using a cell phone. You can even practice doing these things in your own home before you are out at a client's house. I hope these tips help when you are in need of photos and can't hire a professional. If you have more tips or questions, please leave a comment below. And if you need professional real estate photos, I hope to hear from you soon!