Good real estate photos are essential for turning people casually browsing listings into potential leads. If the photographs of your listings are grainy, badly lit, or poorly composed, you may be losing out on buyers. Our guide to great interior and exterior shots provides easy tips for beginners that can improve the quality of your photos.

Primary Exterior Shot

The most important photo you'll take for any listing is called the "primary exterior shot." Required by most MLSs, this portrait of a home and its grounds will be the first thing potential buyers see and what motivates them to investigate a listing further.

Here are a few tips to make the most of this crucial photo:

• Increase camera elevation. It's amazing what a little height can do! Called "pole aerial" photography by professionals, shooting from an elevated position helps enhance shots of tall homes, houses atop hills, and portraits of property grounds.
  
  As most agents aren't going to have access to aerial equipment, try shooting your primary exterior shot from a ladder!
• Take three-quarter shots. Photos taken at a slight angle, instead of straight-on, are usually stronger and more dynamic. Try to avoid large expanses of driveway or views of the street in this shot, as they distract attention from the home.
• Show as many home features as possible. As the "book cover" your listing will be judged by, it's important to get as many key property features into this photo as possible. Don't be afraid to venture away from the front of the house! Homes with pools or other water, outlying buildings, or impressive grounds can benefit from shots taken from the rear of the property.
• Take multiple shots. Your best photo may not be what you think it is while on a shoot. Photographers will often discover the best photos only after they've uploaded them to their computer. Don't be afraid to experiment with multiple shots from different angles and elevations. After all, the beauty of digital photography is that you can take as many photos as your memory card can handle!
• Shoot during "the golden hour." Proper lighting is one of the most important elements of a good photo. Shots taken during "the golden hour"--the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset--avoid the harsh shadows and overexposure of photos taken at midday. Find out when the golden hour takes place in your area at golden-hour.com to take advantage of this time's soft lighting and warm hues.