Shoot for the best

PHOTOS are the most important element of real estate, writes Melanie Gardiner.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, what tales do your property photographs tell prospective buyers?

Will they entice purchasers in fewer than eight seconds? That’s how long the average buyer spends initially reviewing real estate images, according to veteran photographer John Wheatley, director of Urban Angles.

He says great photographs are the result of good preparation by vendors, a talented photographer and skilled retouching to create a polished result.

After 10 years of shooting advertising campaigns, Mr Wheatley started Urban Angles in 2001 to bridge the gap between high-end commercial and residential real estate photography. Directors Michael Downes and Jules Tahan joined the company in 2004 and 2005.

Today the company employs more than 20 staff, with photographers regularly flown to photograph major projects around Australia.

Mr Wheatley said he’s surprised by the number of homeowners who don’t research a real estate agent’s preferred photographer or review samples of the photographer’s work before signing up.

“It doesn’t cost a lot of money to get good photos,” he said.

Choosing a less experienced supplier to save $100 can become costly in the long run.

Bowed walls, cluttered spaces, poorly placed furniture, and white ghosting around objects “magic wanded” during retouching are all the hallmarks of poor quality photographs.

“Vendors on a budget should opt for fewer high-quality images instead,” Mr Wheatley said.

Urban Angles retouches images by hand, with up to five exposures blended together to create the perfect shot.

It takes Urban Angles about an hour to process each property, four times longer than competitors relying on automated systems.

“A computer can’t decide how to retouch an image properly. It needs to be done by a skilled retoucher.

“It’s a slower process but gives you a much better outcome,” Mr Wheatley said.

Working with a tripod encourages staff to think about image composition. Good photographers time appointments to suit a home’s orientation, carefully assess each room and adjust furniture placement.

“We approach photographing a property in the same way as a high-end advertising job,” Mr Wheatley said.

Urban Angles staff liaise with agents and vendors as they would an advertising director.

Homeowners should allow $200-$400 for a daytime shoot, while twilight packages start at about $500, and combined day/night visits cost up to $990.

“For most people, their home is their biggest asset, so they need to get it out there with the best photography,” Mr Wheatley said.Details: Urban Angles, 10 Grattan St, Prahran. Phone: 9827 0999 or visit www.urbanangles.com

Top tips to ensure your home is ready for its close-up.
WHICH ROOMS? To give buyers a good feel for your home, most campaigns highlight the exterior, kitchen, living areas, main bedroom, family bathroom and any outdoor living space.

KITCHEN Small items can appear as clutter once an image is reduced for print and online marketing. Clear benchtops and window sills. Remove fridge magnets and kinder art. Create focal points with flowers or bowls of fruit in a cohesive hue – green apples or grapefruit add pop colour.

BATHROOM Remove toiletry bottles and bath mats. Fresh white towels give a lift, while flowers soften the space. Replicate that hotel feel by folding towels in half vertically and facing the open edge away from the camera.

BEDROOM Clear bedside table clutter including alarm clocks. Hide table lamp cords. Iron bed linen and turn the open ends of pillow cases away from the lens.

LIVING AREAS De-clutter by stowing television remotes, children’s toys and busy DVD collections. Remove area rugs and rearrange furniture to avoid shooting into the back of a couch. Retouchers can add a roaring open fire; however burning a few sheets of scrunched newspaper reflects a beautiful ambient light which is difficult to replicate. It’s especially dramatic if you have polished floorboards.

OUTDOOR LIVING Set the scene by styling your outdoor space ready for a celebration. To focus buyers’ attention, prune overhanging branches, scrub moss from paths and remove pool-cleaning equipment, toys, pet paraphernalia, bins and garden hoses.

BUDGET BLOOMS Rotate one or two contrasting arrangements between rooms.

BRIGHT IDEA Check for blown light- globes in ceiling lights and table lamps.