Back by popular demand are tips of the trade from our friend Jon Dasher, professional photographer. Jon provides simple how-to advice on taking professional looking photographs that bring out the best in your rental property. By following these simple instructions, your holiday home will shine as if from a fabulous magazine spread.
Jon Dasher writes: “Taking pictures of your villa, apartment, gite or chalet and uploading them to your website is a very simple task, but there are in fact lots of secrets to getting the best out of your camera. These photos are going to sell your property to the viewer, so make sure you use lots of them. Following my tips below will give them that much needed professional finish.
No one wants to look at a basic listing or website gallery with four or five washed out, bland photos. Upload as many sumptuous pictures that ooze character and give the viewer a taste of how great a holiday they would have there, as you can. I can’t state enough that the more the better!
Getting ready
Before you get your camera out and start taking photos, it’s a good idea to ’stage’ your home in a way that’ll present your home as it would look if it were featured in a glossy magazine. So get to work as it is essential to clear up any mess or clutter inside your house and anything unsightly outside.
Give it a lick of paint. There is nothing worse than a shabby looking front of a property with cracked paint peeling off. Also when choosing your colours, don’t go crazy and decide to make your mark in the area. You’ll end up making it stand out like a sore thumb. Use a palette that complements your neighbours and the surrounding area.
Get in touch with your ‘green’ side; landscaping shouldn’t be an afterthought. Your plants and trees should be looked after properly. Don’t cut them down or let them overgrow. Choose a mix of plants that bloom/grown at different times of the year, so the villa looks great in all seasons.
Remove any obstacles that get in the way of the front door or the path to the front door, and don’t leave your car in the shot unless it comes with the property.
Snap away
Now you are ready to whip out your camera. Remember we’re taking pictures to be used on the web here, so it’s really essential that you have a digital camera. It doesn’t need to be a megapixel monster, in fact take pictures at the lower setting such as VGA or 1MP mode because when you scale photos down, they can become blurry. However it’s important to use a camera with a good lens… it doesn’t have to be a high end SLR.
With your camera in hand try these tips for photographing the exterior of the property:
1. Avoid overcast or rainy weather, take pictures on a sunny day, making your pictures brighter
2. Make sure the sun is behind you to avoid any glare
3. Try taking photos in the morning or late afternoon to capture some of that golden light, however, avoid having shadows falling over the front of the property
4. Zoom in on features that add flair or character to the property, like window boxes, shutters, stone paths etc
5. Include photos of the surrounding street to show off your property’s curb appeal
6. Also don’t forget to photograph local attractions too, like a wonderful local foods market, or a picturesque beach or rocky cove.
7. Try to include photographs that show off the benefits of the location of your property. Don’t just show the inside of your holiday home. Remember to photograph the view!! If you promote the property as a ski apartment or the perfect villa for golf then showcase the piste or the 16th fairway in your gallery.
Good luck with your rentals.
Great article! I missed it the first time around. Thanks for the reprint.