The Importance of Lighting in Real Estate Photography

Without even having to ask, you have definitely been a victim of bad lighting. When you are all prepared to take a brilliant photograph of a pet, yourself, or a space in your home and then your camera’s lens is completely overtaken by light so that your photograph ends up being a massive white blur. It happens, even if you are a professional. Sometimes the solution to obtaining your perfect photograph can come from turning the flash on, but in most cases finding a suitable solution can be way more complex. Many photographers love snapping pics while utilizing natural lighting while others insist on bringing in massive lights in order to create images that fully encapsulate the beauty of whatever they may be photographing. The first ever camera was invented in 1816 and since then the world of photography has truthfully transitioned into a different dimension. Cameras can now capture points in a room in order to provide developers with images that can be used for virtual reality purposes. We can actually feel as though we are inside of a home across the country while searching for a new location to reside. Oh, how the times have changed, and for the better! Finding a home has never been easier than it is right now and if we remain on a similar path it will only become a simpler process. For those within our industry, this is an exciting thought since we will gain access to new, cool tools that will make harnessing the sheer majesty of homes throughout our country nothing other than a joy.

In 2016, 88 percent of home buyers used websites during their search and 94 percent of millennials took advantage of the online information. Given these statistics, which have gone up since stunning photographs of homes are so very important. According to Anthony Gilbert, Realtor,

“When buyers look at homes for sale, they are trying to imagine their new life in each and every home they visit. Lighting – at its best – reveals a property’s potential. On the other side of the coin, poor lighting can conceal this potential. The same exact room may elicit wildly different reactions from a prospective buyer based solely on how it is lit. A bright living room is inviting and may have buyers imagining hosting company there on weekends, while a dim living room may simply be overlooked as just another room the buyer walked through that day.

The buying process is visual and emotional, and a well-lit home can appeal to both of these thought processes. One of the last things a home seller will want to do after pouring time and money into improving their home is to literally present their property in the wrong light.”

For photographers, buyers, sellers, realtors, and professionals, the right lighting can go a long way and can be the difference between your home flying off of the market and it hanging around for longer than anticipated. Whenever our team at Twist Tours is at a property, we do a thorough evaluation of the lighting to make sure that no details are ever left out of a photograph. Additionally, here are some helpful insights that will help you always capture the best qualities that your home has to offer.

Color Management

The use of lighting can add to or take away from the overall colors of a room or from only those surfaces that the light is meant to elevate. The darker the colors are in a room, the more cramped and small they feel. Lighter colored walls do the opposite. The illusion of space is defined by the way that light reflects off of the walls and surfaces within the room. When taking photographs, it is important to remember this and brighten up those corners that look dark, cramped, and undesirable. For homes with recessed lighting, they add a pleasant downward glow that illuminates the floors rather than the walls, which if they are a bright color will result in a fantastic combination. When it comes to showcasing a home, the brighter the colors, the better. Plus, bright colors will always stand out amongst darker ones!

Take space into account

Natural and man-made lighting will help with the illusion of the space you are looking to photograph. For darker colored rooms, use your creativity to bring in full-spectrum natural light. In rooms where furniture is close together, they will seem more cramped so consider taking out the extra side table or sofa so that the remaining furniture can be spread nicely about. Corner lamps, wall sconces, and centrally hanging lights will help brighten a room and when paired with natural lighting will be fantastic to photograph. If you are a photographer that adores natural lighting, consider shooting in spaces with skylights, large windows, or pushing away drapes that are blocking light from coming in. For those that need help deciding what should stay and what should go in a room, consider staging.

Directional lighting

Lighting in a room will either provide illumination for the entirety of the room or highlight specific elements. Track lighting is known for being positional lighting since the necks of the lights can be pointed at specific elements. Some pictures and mirror frames also have built-in lighting to highlight specific areas on walls. Recessed lighting can be used in floors and ceilings to create incredible vertical beams of light within a space.

When photographing a home, the lighting will completely change the mood of a room just as it changes the perceived size of the room. Placement and type of lighting are important when photographing the interior of a home. A space with proper elements like color selections, size, availability of natural light, and a fantastic furniture can come together and transform a room into a space that is functional, beautiful, and is ready to be photographed.

If you are someone looking to get the most out of their home’s online presence, we offer professional photography services!