Breaking real estate photography rules

Rebecca Weber

A photo of a security wall or massive garage door does nothing to engage a buyer scanning through thumbnails online. It's the equivalent of a clumsy introduction. Sometimes when you start off on the wrong foot it's possible to recover; other times it isn't.

So what to lead with? The most prominent photo should be the best image from the shoot.

Often - especially at this time of year - it will be one of the back garden, which also satisfies the potential buyer's curiosity about what the outside of the house looks like.

It might be a wide shot featuring the house and grounds. A popular alternative is one that showcases a grand view of the sea or mountain.

Outward views from a balcony

With flats, outward views from a balcony are often more pleasing and welcoming than are pictures of the building itself.

And a fab interior shot, especially if the outside of the building has not been updated as recently as the inside, should not be overlooked if none of the above are attention-grabbing.

Sometimes aerial shots are the best solution: the front exterior can be captured with a camera pole and/or from higher ground. It's an accurate representation, just not one that can be seen from the pavement.

Elevated shots are also important with a house that is higher than street level; otherwise images will look distorted to the viewer.

Extra height lends a nice perspective even if the property is street level and has no obstructions surrounding it.

Some listings make use of aerial shots from helicopters and drones. Those shoots can give dramatic results, but they're quite pricey, wind-averse, and may be a bit more long-in-the-roof than expected.

Reactions - good, bad, or indifferent - form in seconds. Any buyer faced with the thick property sections in the weekend papers, or the seemingly endless Internet ads, gets quick about rejections. Boring - and bad - photos get less attention. (Well, sometimes the really bad ones do get attention, but not the kind that you want.)

The bottom line? A full frontal needs to be part of the photo selection, but not necessarily the icebreaker. Leading with your strongest image makes it easier for buyers to fall in love - or at least to click for more.