How to Effectively Photograph Vacant Properties
Vacant properties present unique challenges and opportunities in real estate photography. Without furniture and décor, these spaces can sometimes feel cold and uninviting. However, they also offer a blank canvas to highlight the property’s architecture and potential.
In this article I’ll discuss how to effectively photography vacant properties and walk away with great images for your clients.
Table of Contents
Embrace the Blank Canvas
The absence of furnishings in a vacant property means there are no distractions from the space itself. This is your opportunity to focus on the property’s intrinsic qualities. Here are 2 ways you can do just that:
Highlighting Architectural Features: Emphasize any unique architectural elements, such as exposed beams, vaulted ceilings, large windows, or custom-built staircases. These features can often be overlooked when a property is furnished but can be key selling points.
Utilizing Natural Light: Make the most of natural light to create bright and inviting photos. Open any curtains or blinds and choose the time of day when each room gets the best light. This can help the spaces feel more welcoming.
Consider Virtual Staging
While vacant properties allow for easy visualization of the space, they can lack the warmth and relatability of a furnished home. Virtual staging can bridge this gap.
Selective Staging: Consider virtually staging key rooms like the living room, master bedroom, or dining room. This gives potential buyers an idea of how the space can be used and helps them visualize themselves living there.
Balance with Reality: While virtual staging can be a powerful tool, it’s important to balance these images with actual photos of the empty space. This ensures transparency and allows buyers to see both the potential and the blank slate they will be working with.
Include A Floor Plan
A floor plan is a valuable addition to any real estate listing but becomes even more critical for vacant properties. It’s another sales tool your client can use when marketing a property that might be lacking in charm and character.
Spatial Understanding: A floor plan can help potential buyers understand the layout and flow of the house, which can be more challenging to grasp from photos of empty rooms.
Size and Scale: Floor plans provide a sense of scale and the sizes of different rooms, information that’s often difficult to gauge from photographs alone. This will help viewers understand how much room is actually available in a room and how their own furniture might fit.
Focusing on Quality and Details
With no furniture or décor to draw the eye, the quality of the photography itself becomes even more important. It can be tempting to take short cuts, but do your best to capture the highest quality photos, even if it’s only of an empty room.
Attention to Detail: Pay attention to the small details in each room. Ensure that the spaces are clean and that minor imperfections are not overly visible, as these can be more noticeable in an empty room.
Wide-Angle Lenses: Use wide-angle lenses to capture as much of each room as possible. This helps convey the size and space more effectively than narrower shots. While tight shots can make sense in staged houses, it’s better to show the full area when the home is vacant.
Additional Resources
If you’re just getting started in real estate photography, check out our Beginners Guide. It’s full of helpful articles and tips that will guide you in the right direction as you begin your real estate photography journey.
You can check out our Gear section as well to see reviews and recommendations on the latest real estate photography gear.
If you’re more interested in other resources that can help your real estate photography business, check out our Business Resources page.
