Shoot an exterior or arrival frame, the main living space, the kitchen from two angles, each bedroom, each bathroom, any outdoor space, and two or three detail shots. Photograph in daylight with interior lights on and the camera level at chest height. Fifteen to twenty frames is the working target.
The shot list
Exterior and approach, entry, main living area from two angles, kitchen wide and one detail, dining, each bedroom, each bathroom, laundry or utility if it is a selling point, outdoor space, and any view. Add two or three detail frames of materials, fixtures, or architectural features.
Camera height and level
Shoot at roughly chest height with the camera level. Tilting up or down makes vertical lines converge, which is the single most recognizable marker of amateur property photography. Most phones have a built-in level; turn it on.
Light
Shoot during the day with curtains open and every interior light on. Mixed lighting is less of a problem than a dark room. Avoid shooting directly into a bright window unless you are deliberately capturing the view and can expose for it.
Preparing the space
Clear counters, remove personal photographs, open interior doors, hide bins and cables, and take the cars off the driveway. Preparation improves the result far more than any editing decision made afterward.
Last reviewed September 2, 2026