Time to sell that listing! You’ve charmed the homeowners, you have a signed listing agreement in-hand, and you’re ready for photographs. This ain’t your first rodeo: you know that quality imagery is the foundation of a solid marketing strategy, the essential component to selling your listing fast and always above asking 😉.
But did you know quality photographs do even more heavy lifting? We like to say these photographs are more about getting that next listing than selling this one… We’ll get into that and more in this post.
In our most recent webinar series, “Getting the Most out of Your Photoshoot: Secrets Revealed,” you hear from some of our best and brightest VHT photographers as they dish their key ingredients to an exceptional shoot. Don’t stress if you missed it. We have it available on-demand here.
Before The Shoot: Home Prep Is Key!
WARNING: Spoiler Alert Below!
According to Daniel G., Platinum Photographer in Florida, the key to a great photoshoot is… “walking into a prepped home. On a typical day we are shooting four, five, or six properties. We have a set time at each property, and I would rather use that valuable time capturing every aspect of the home in its best light rather than cleaning up and preparing the home. If the client (you) has the home ready to go prior to the photoshoot, I’m free to do my job and deliver great images.”
How does the exterior impact interior shots?
“Sometimes people forget about the exterior, but when you select our Gold Series Photography, you’ll see perfectly out those windows. So make sure what’s outside is not distracting from what’s on the interior — pick up those neon toys in the yard and make sure your patio furniture is not blocking those views.”
With VHT Studios Home-Prep Guide, we help take the guesswork out of preparing for the photoshoot with tips for both the exterior and interior of the home. Please download and share with your sellers whenever possible.
You’ve consulted, you’ve begged, pleaded, you’ve even tidied up yourself, but the home-prep result fell flat… no sweat! Our Virtual Declutter is a post-shoot service that cleans up your images by virtually erasing those distracting chachkies, the gallery wall of family photos, the mountain of clothes in the teenager’s bedroom, the room that acts as a shrine to Elvis… well maybe leave that, everyone loves Elvis. Virtual Declutter is like magic.
Now you see it… Now you don’t.
During The Shoot
In Chicagoland, Mark G., Platinum Photographer, expresses the importance of being present for the photoshoot as a key to success. “If I haven’t worked with the agent before, I try to require they be there for at least the first and second photoshoot. I want to make sure we’re on the same page and I understand their expectations. If they’re a new agent, I like to have them walk with me throughout the photoshoot so I can explain the angles I’m shooting and the value they bring. I want them to be able to confidently explain to their homeowner why they selected the images they did to market their home.”
What time of day do you recommend photographing the listing?
From California to the Northeast, we received a variety of answers, but Marc S., Platinum Photographer CA, does a great job of summing it up. “Whenever the photoshoot is convenient for you and your seller is the best time of day. We are not in the habit of chasing the sun. A home is a three-dimensional object. If the sun is shining on the front of the home, the back of the home will be in the shade, or the reverse is true.”
With the training and experience of our Photographers, the talent of our Studio Editing Team, and your selection of Gold Series Photography, the result is: gray skies turn blue, the grass is truly greener, and imagery is consistently and beautifully lit — so any time of day is the perfect time of day to photograph your listing.
How many photographs do I need?
We want you to keep in mind that when you partner with VHT Studios, we’re capturing all the features of the home that will bring value to your visual marketing strategy. We deliver every image beautifully edited and ready for your selection in our On-Demand Review & Delivery platform. The choice is yours, but keep in mind the national average of images viewed per listing is around 19. If you’re looking for a little further guidance, let’s hear from our experts.
“I say about 1 image per 700sf.” Marc S.
“As many images needed to best convey the home and your marketing style,” Mark G.
“Photographs are bait. The goal with everything we do is to get people interested in the home and to reach out to you to see more.” John P., Talent Mngr. & Platinum Photographer NY
What’s the benefit of having a preferred photographer and how do I select one?
“I think there are many benefits to having a preferred photographer. We get to know each other and understand how each other works. With a preferred photographer, agents can even tell their homeowners that my photographer, Kirk, will be here to shoot the photos.” Kirk M, IA Platinum Photographer
That’s right. When you select a preferred photographer, you’re essentially adding another member to your team. The trust and comfort a seller feels when you say my photographer will be shooting the home is invaluable.
Selecting a Preferred Photographer is easy. Simply log in to your my.VHT.com account, select the photographer tab, find a list of photographers you’ve worked with in the past, and make your selection.
Post Shoot: Leveraging Your Media
How do I use this media to get my next listing?
Remember when I said these photographs are more about getting your next listing than selling this one? I know it was ages ago, but we’re coming full circle here, so you might as well hang on until the end. The media you share for each listing is often your first impression to buyers outside of your network. Maybe it’s viewing a listing on Realtor, and they see you’re the listing agent, or maybe it’s a shared social media post. No matter the case, the photographs you present are a visual representation of your standards and your brand. They’re a token of past successes and foreshadowing what you will do for that next client.
So get the most out of your photography investment by partnering with the best. We believe great real estate marketing starts with great photography, and the best photographers in the industry call VHT Studios home.
(From Top Left) John P. / NY, Kirk M. / IA, Mark G. / IL, Elizabeth H. / IL, Miranda K./ FL, Chip J. / MN, Marc S. / CA, Daniel G. / FL, and Rich F. / UT
