Pick the right time of day
Check which way the front of the property faces. Photograph it when the sun lights the front, not when it sits behind the house and leaves the facade in shadow.
A bright, evenly overcast day also works well. It avoids hard shadows, though the sky will look pale.
Tidy up before you shoot
- Move bins, hoses and tools out of sight
- Move cars off the drive if you can
- Cut the grass, sweep paths and clear leaves
- Open gates and garage doors only if they look tidy open
- Switch on outdoor lights for dusk shots
The front of the property
Stand across the street or at the end of the drive, so the whole building fits in the frame without tilting the phone up. Tilting up makes the building look like it is falling backwards.
Hold the phone at chest height and keep it level. Take one straight-on shot and one from a slight angle that shows the side of the house.
Gardens, terraces and pools
- Shoot from a corner so the space shows depth, rather than straight at a fence
- Include a little of the house so people understand how the garden connects to it
- Set out garden furniture as guests or tenants would use it
- For a pool, make sure the water is clean and remove pool covers and toys
- Show the view if there is one, but frame it honestly
Keep the sky and view real
It is tempting to swap a grey sky for a blue one, but a replaced sky or view can mislead people about what they will find. ProLister keeps the real sky and view, and only corrects light, colour and straightness.
Fix light and lines afterwards
Exterior phone photos often come out with a bright sky and a dark building, or with walls that lean. ProLister balances the exposure and straightens verticals in seconds, without adding or removing anything.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to photograph the outside of a house?
When the sun is lighting the front of the house, which depends on which way it faces. A bright overcast day is a good alternative.
Should I replace a grey sky?
We recommend against it. People should see the property as it is, and a replaced sky can be misleading.
How many exterior photos should a listing have?
Usually one or two of the front, plus the garden, terrace, pool or parking if the property has them.
Can ProLister brighten a dark facade?
Yes. It balances the exposure between the sky and the building and straightens the walls, without changing the sky or the property.
