The Ultimate Guide to Editing Real Estate Photos

A picture is worth a thousand words in today’s digital world.

When it comes to marketing a property, online photographs are the first point of contact between potential buyers and sellers. Therefore, it's essential to have stunning and eye-catching real estate photos to grab the attention of potential buyers.

However, taking great photos isn't enough. Editing real estate photos is equally important to make them stand out and create a lasting impression. In this ultimate guide, we'll share tips and techniques for editing real estate photos that will help you produce stunning results and impress your clients.

Understanding the Importance of Editing Real Estate Photos

Editing real estate photos is a crucial step in the overall marketing process of a property. It helps to enhance the visual appeal of the property, highlight its best features, and create a lasting impression on potential buyers.

Professional photography not only attracts more potential buyers, but it also helps to sell properties faster. Listings with high-quality photographs receive 61% more online views than those without and sell 32% faster than those with low-quality photographs. A well-edited real estate photo can make the difference between a potential buyer scrolling past a listing or stopping to take a closer look.

Essential Tools for Editing Real Estate Photos

To edit real estate photos, you need the right tools. Here are some essential tools for editing real estate photos:

1. Adobe Lightroom: This is a powerful photo editing software that allows you to adjust brightness, contrast, color, and other settings to create stunning photos.

2. Photoshop: This software is ideal for more advanced photo editing techniques such as removing unwanted objects, merging multiple photos, and retouching.

   At CLT360 Media, our worfklow begins in Lightroom, moves to Photoshop for the more advanced editing techniques like the flambient process, and then back to Lightroom for the finishing touches.

3. HDR Software: High Dynamic Range (HDR) software can help you create photos that have a greater range of brightness and contrast than a single photo can capture.

   Our favorite HDR software is the LREnfuse plugin for Adobe Lightroom, which you can find here: LR/Enfuse

   However, we only utilize HDR for exterior photos, since using them for interior photos often leaves unwanted color casts on walls and ceilings.

Tips for Editing Real Estate Photos

Here are some tips for editing real estate photos:

1. Crop the photo: Start by cropping the photo to eliminate any distractions and to highlight the property's best features. Most often, this should be done when taking the initial photograph on site, but you might spot something later that also needs to be cropped out.

2. Adjust white balance: The white balance affects the overall color of the photo. Adjust the white balance to ensure that the colors in the photo are accurate and natural.

   Pro tip: Remove the guesswork by using the White Balance eyedropper in Lightroom, and selecting a surface that you know is white, like an outlet cover or cabinet.

3. Enhance the colors: Use the saturation and vibrance sliders to enhance the colors in the photo and make them pop. This should only be done for exterior photos.

4. Adjust the exposure: Adjust the exposure to ensure that the photo is well-lit and not too bright or too dark. You want your finished photograph, most often, to be exposed to the right (ETTR) side of the histogram.

5. Remove unwanted objects: Use the clone stamp tool in Photoshop to remove any unwanted objects such as power lines, cars, or people.

Best Practices for Editing Real Estate Photography

To ensure that your edited photos are of the highest quality, follow these best practices:

1. Keep it natural: While editing, it's important to maintain a natural look and not overdo it. Avoid using too much saturation or contrast, as it can make the photo look fake.

2. Consistency: Consistency is key when it comes to editing real estate photos. Ensure that all your photos have a similar look and feel to maintain a cohesive and professional appearance. At CLT360 Media, we follow the same workflow for every photo and every home.

3. High-resolution photos: Ensure that you're working with high-resolution photos to prevent any loss of quality when editing. When moving photos between Lightroom and Photoshop, or other programs, ensure you are using TIFF format, and only saving to JPEG for the final image to be delivered to the customer.

Editing real estate photos is an essential part of creating compelling marketing materials for real estate properties.

By understanding the importance of editing and using the right tools and techniques, real estate professionals can create stunning visuals that showcase their properties and attract potential buyers. Remember to follow best practices, ask for help from other professionals when needed, and continually improve your skills to stay ahead in the competitive real estate photography market.

Contact us today if you are looking for high-quality real estate photography services in the Charlotte area to make your listings stand out from the competition. Our small team of experienced photographers and editors are dedicated to providing you with stunning photos that showcase your property in the best possible light. Whether you are a real estate agent, property owner, or Airbnb host, we have the expertise and equipment to capture your property's unique features and selling points.

FAQs

• How long does it take to edit real estate photos?

  The time it takes to edit real estate photos depends on various factors, including the number of photos, the extent of editing required, and the software and tools used. However, on average, it can take between 2-5 minutes per photo, depending on the complexity.

• How much does it cost to hire a professional real estate photo editor?

  The cost of hiring a professional real estate photo editor varies depending on the scope of the project, the number of photos, and the level of editing required. Generally, photo editing companies charge by the hour or by the photo, with prices ranging from $5 to $50 per photo.

• What are the most important tools for editing real estate photos?

  The most important tools for editing real estate photos include photo editing software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom, a color correction tool, a lens distortion correction tool, and a HDR (high dynamic range) tool.

• How do I find a good real estate photographer?

  To find a good real estate photographer, you can ask for recommendations from friends or colleagues in the industry, search online for professional real estate photographers in your area, or check with local real estate associations for referrals.
  
  For more info, read our full article here: How to Find the Best Real Estate Photographer Near You

• How important is real estate photography in marketing properties?

  Real estate photography is essential in marketing properties as it can significantly impact a potential buyer's decision to view a property. Professional photos can make a property look more attractive and appealing, leading to more inquiries and viewings.

  For more info, read: Real Estate Photography Statistics You Need to Know in 2023