While it might be tempting to use a smartphone for real estate photography, it can have drawbacks compared to professional photography.
1. Image Quality: While smartphone cameras have improved significantly in recent years, they still cannot match the image quality provided by professional cameras. Professional cameras have larger sensors, better optics, and advanced settings that result in higher-resolution images with better color accuracy, dynamic range, and sharpness.
2. Wide-Angle Capability: Real estate photography often requires capturing wide-angle shots to showcase the entire room or property. Many smartphones have a wide-angle lens, but the lenses are typically not as wide as those used by professional photographers. Professional wide-angle lenses can capture more of the space, providing a better sense of the property’s layout and proportions.
3. Lighting Control: Proper lighting is crucial for real estate photography. Professional photographers use additional lighting equipment, such as external flashes or specialized lighting, to ensure that each room is well-lit and properly exposed. Smartphone cameras, although equipped with built-in flashes, may struggle in challenging lighting conditions, resulting in underexposed or overexposed images.
4. Post-processing Capabilities: Professional photographers have expertise in post-processing techniques that can enhance images, correct distortions, adjust colors, and improve overall image quality. They use specialized software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom to fine-tune the photographs. Smartphone photo editing apps may offer some basic editing options, but they are generally not as comprehensive or powerful as professional editing tools.
5. Professional Presentation: When potential buyers browse real estate listings, they expect to see high-quality, visually appealing photographs that accurately represent the property. Professional real estate photographers have the experience and knowledge to compose shots effectively, highlight the property’s best features, and create visually compelling images that can attract potential buyers.
While smartphones can be convenient for capturing quick snapshots, relying solely on smartphone photos for real estate listings may not present the property in the best possible light. Investing in professional photography can significantly improve the visual appeal of a listing, potentially attracting more interest and ultimately leading to a faster and more successful sale.
- Photo Requirements for IMLS: Pictures are required on residential listings. IMLS requires at least one front exterior photo for every Residential listing within 1 day of inputting the listing into IMLS with the exception of “To Be Built” or “Under Construction” properties. Non-Residential Listings DO NOT Require photos.
- Photo Compression: If a photo is over 781K in file size, the image will be compressed to 781K. Note: this could result in a reduction in quality. For users who upload photos larger than the 781K limit, it is recommended that the images do not exceed 15MB in file size.
- Image Size: Image size refers to the resolution of the photo. Paragon requires a resolution of 3072 x 2304 or less. If a photo is under the 781K limit but has a resolution of image size larger than 3072 x 2304 , compression will occur. If a photo resolution is less than 640 x 480 it will not upload. In MS Windows, the image size of a photo can be accessed by mousing over the image—details will display in a pop up.
- Recommended Formats:
- Only .jpeg, .gif and .png image formats are recommended to be uploaded into Paragon.
- File Name Special Characters:
- Special characters, such as \/:*?”<>| etc., cannot be used in the photo file name.
If you use a professional photographer, IMLS suggests you have a contract with the photographer regarding photo usage rights and ownership.