Camera Settings

Indoor photos should all be taken in wide angle mode. On most devices labeled as 0.5x zoom mode, which is about equivalent to a 14mm wide-angle lens. This is a good range for real estate photos. All photos will be taken in horizontal position. Flash off.

Interior Lighting

Preferably take photos during bright daylight while also avoiding any angles aiming directly toward the sun. Curtains and blinds should be in a traditional open position allowing optimum natural lighting. Turn on all interior lights, including decorative lighting and gas fireplaces.

Interior Environment

Clean and declutter. Ensure spaces are spotless and free of loose objects. Remove personal items, excess furniture, and unnecessary distractions to make rooms feel more spacious. Most staging is about object removal, but adding specific items can be helpful as well. Fresh flowers, table settings, and neatly arranged pillows can make the space more inviting. Make the beds, remove items from the sink area, and whatever you do . . . never forget to close the toilet covers!

Camera Aiming

Optimum interior camera height is between 4ft and 5ft, aiming parallel to the floor and ceiling. (fig.1) Generally, with 8ft to 10ft ceiling heights, the camera height should be the vertical midpoint between the floor and ceiling. The resulting image will include an equal amount of floor and ceiling. However, keep that standard 4-5ft height even for rooms with much higher ceilings. See figure.

Directional Tips

The most desirable angle is aiming from one corner of a room into the opposite corner. (fig.2, fig.3) Move the line of sight to avoid shooting the back of furniture. Also try to include as many windows as possible.(fig.4) A corner close to the walking path is often the best setup location. Remember, the purpose of the photo is to welcome you into the space – never to block your path.

Another great angle can be pointing directly toward the center of a wall.(fig.5, fig.6) The wide angle should include the two adjacent walls offering another room enlarging perspective.

Small Rooms

Small rooms like bathrooms and walk-in closets can be the most difficult to frame. Often impossible to capture a proper proportion of the ceiling and floor like other rooms, there is a natural tendency to want to turn the smartphone into portrait orientation. Never do this – as it will cause the room to look very small. Do not be afraid to include a bit of the doorframe. One common technique of professional photographers is the ‘split-frame’ angle, combining the narrow room and narrow hallway for one wide image. Another unique shot can be strategically aiming toward the bathroom mirror at an angle that shows more of the room.

Key Features

Photographing a balcony view or stairway view are rare cases where the smartphone will be pointing down rather than level. Close-up photos of specific features like fireplaces, farmhouse sinks, barn doors, or high-end fixtures and appliances can be a great visual addition for a property listing. These unique snapshots are the only interior photos that can be better in 1x standard zoom rather than the 0.5x wide angle.

Step Back

Distortion levels – or how far out-of-vertical the lines toward the edge of the frame are distorted – will vary by device. But keep in mind distortion correction will essentially clip the top corners of the room. To compensate, after framing the intended target in your viewer screen, moving back a couple feet further (when possible) to allow for distortion correction is the best practice.

Practice a few shots before beginning your first property to familiarize yourself with the basic setup and process.

Take Extra Photos. Try different perspectives and decide later which are worthy of editing for the listing. Allow yourself some solid choices before uploading your photo set to propicfix.