Why photography matters.
The art of the first impression.
High quality photography and staging are just two of the key components when it comes to creating clickable assets for your property. They are the starting point from which all other marketing assets can be created from (so long as you’re not selling off-plan, that’s a whole different blog post) so getting it right first time is essential.
In a world where visuals are so important it still surprises us when we see low quality imagery being used to sell expensive assets and this appears to be more commonplace in the commercial sector than it is in the residential sector. So, why is it important? Here’s five of our main reasons.
Consistency: High-quality photos across your portfolio create a cohesive brand image.
Visual storytelling: Each shot narrates a tale—a lifestyle, an experience. Quality photos enhance that narrative.
Competitive edge: Stand out in a crowded market. Stunning visuals attract attention.
Social media gold: Share-worthy photos boost your online presence.
Website appeal: Your website is your digital storefront. Make it shine with top-notch visuals.
Did we hear someone say budget?
Not only does creating eye-catching assets mean more clickable content it also means more bang for your buck which is exciting news all round isn’t it? Once you have these images you can reuse them across various channels from social media platforms to the website and even go one step further by inclusion into annual reporting and stakeholder communications. Let’s round up how and why you should be investing in high-end photography as standard. 📸
1. More flex: your marketing team will thank you for providing them with Insta worthy images that they can use for future campaign planning.
2. More longevity: whilst you can’t use the same images on a different property you can use them to promote general marketing and communications – so spend once and repurpose to make that budget go further.
3. More content: who needs to download from Shutterstock when you have a library full of high quality imagery that you can fall back on.
4. More choice: if you plan ahead, you can ask your photographer to capture some images on one shoot whilst on location that you can use in an up-coming campaign; meaning you can get ahead of the curve.
Putting it into action
Knowing why high-quality photography is important is the first step. Knowing how to create the look is the second step. That’s why Be More Bold we have created a tried and tested guide for briefing or engaging photographers. We make sure that our photographers give us the Insta worthy experience with these points:
Staging the interior for photography
· Remove clutter so that the occupier can visualise themselves in the space.
· Play into the décor and create flow by moving furniture around to maximise the space.
· Maximise natural light by making sure blinds and curtains are open.
· Set the dining table for a lived-in look or for office spaces capture a tidy work set up.
· Adjust for the season by adding throws to sofas in the winter and adding flowers in spring.
· If the office space has a rooftop then utilise this by setting up work areas.
· Add people (or animals) into shot wherever you can.
Rally the office troops to use the kitchen, private zones and collaboration areas.
Use a model agency as this will allow the viewer to imagine themselves in the space.
Takeaway: Brief your photographer well and let them know who the end persona will be and which platforms you want to use the imagery on to get the best results.
Photographically speaking
There are some key points that will help both you and your photographer get the best out of the day (or half day) and build a lasting relationship. 💚
1. Room interiors should never be shot on an angle and should be taken from the corner of a room for the best workup of the space.
2. Get the images in high-res and low-res.
3. Tell your photographer any specific measurements you may need.
4. Check if your day rate covers all images taken or a specific number.
Find out the costs if you need to buy extra images.
5. Send a good brief over and fully explain what you need to avoid disappointment.
6. Build a relationship with your photographer so they get to know what you want.
Remember to treat both commercial and residential spaces the same. Whilst the end occupiers may be very different, they both want to see a quality product. A great visual will go a thousand miles when it comes to advertising and raising the bar on your property. Building a good relationship with your photographer will mean that whenever you use them they’ll pretty much read your mind making your day job much easier! 🚀