Our Patch JUNE 2014
Our Patch JUNE 2014
PICTURE
PERFECT
making
good
Unbelievably, some agents
actually seem to think that
pictures like this are a good
representation of the property
Professional property photographer
Scott Clark has seen the good, the bad and
the ugly when it comes to people’s homes
T
Listings with professional photos generate
an average of 139% more clicks when
compared to similar listings without
18 / 19
hey say a picture is worth a
thousand words. And that
phrase could never be more
true than when it comes to
looking for a home to buy
or rent. As most people’s
first introduction to a property is now
online through websites such as Zoopla
or Rightmove, first impressions are
based solely on the photographs listed.
Which means that if you are selling
or letting a property, it is now vitally
important to call in the professionals.
You can see some genuine examples
from amateurs and agents (pictured far
left). Unbelievably, some agents actually
seem to think that pictures like this are
a good representation of the property.
“A professional has had years of
training and experience,” says Scott.
“It is second nature to know the best
light, angles and height to photograph
a certain room. Some agents opt to
photograph a property on a standard
compact camera or iPhone – but couple
this with inexperience and it makes for
a far weaker image.”
The difference is plain to see, with
one recent study finding that listings
with professional photos generate an
average of 139% more clicks when
compared to similar listings without.
But what about those unmodernised
properties which are in a poor state
of repair? How best to show those
properties which are currently a bit of
an eyesore? Many agents opt to take
their own photos of unmodernised or
dilapidated properties, but in fact these
are often the ones which most need the
professional treatment.
“Properties in a bad state of disrepair
can be tricky but there are a few things
that can really help,” explains Scott.
“Firstly, you really want to see the
full size of each room, as with
unmodernised properties it is really the
space you are most interested in.”
“Secondly, remove any unwanted
items to make the room look
presentable. This will give a much
cleaner image and stop the viewer’s eye
from being drawn to clutter.”
“And lastly, lighting is the key. The
word photography in Latin means
‘drawing with light’ and so if you can
light the room perfectly it will look
much more inviting, even in an
unmodernised state.”
When a property has some obvious
flaws it can also often be far better to
show these fully instead of trying to
cover them up with camera trickery.
Many prospective developer buyers will
want to see all of the gruesome details
as the worse the condition, the more
potential there is to renovate.
Scott’s photos of a property Horton
and Garton sold in Redmore Road were
a great example of how best to show an
unmodernised property. While still
showing the true state of the property
they also allowed the viewer to see its
potential. And with this particular
property there was plenty of potential
(see results pictured left and page 20).
Be amazed at the full transformation
in the next edition of Our Patch.