Pay attention to the time of day and lighting. Just as with people, lighting is critical for flattering home photography. I could be wrong, but I think morning is probably the best time for good lighting.

Yes, I hear morning or twilight.

Also, consider hiring someone with a drone. Our neighbors here at the lake did that, and the shots were stunning!

Yes, we will hire a photographer when the time comes, and they probably would suggest a drone. They will do all of the interior and most of the exterior.

But, for example, the one day in July when my little potager is at its peak, I want to capture that and have the option to include it.

Do you have a friend with a good digital camera, not a point and shoot, but a good-amateur/semi-pro quality? Could you get them to take the shots? DD&DSIL have some top notch camera equipment and I’ve noticed the pictures taken with it are far superior to my iPhone pix. I have an iPhone XS MAX also. If you choose to use your phone, check out iPhone Photography School on FB for tips on taking better pictures with your phone.

I really need to take them because I want to be able to do it opportunistically on any given day over the summer. I do have a "good digital camera" i think, but haven't used it for a few years.

If you use your digital camera, you could send your raw photos to someone with Lightroom to adjust the colors for you. Not make them something they aren’t, but make them look like they actually look to your eye. The clarity of a real camera beats an iphone IMHO. Here is one DSIL took. You can see each blade of grass and each feather.

WOW!

Use a camera, not your phone. Much more flexible for editing sccording to dh who is a serious amateur

I have a Canon PowerSho SX that I like a lot, and you can get them for less than $300.00 They have very good zoom capabilities and take very good videos also.

If you do use your phone to take a photo, make sure that it is landscape instead of portrait orientation. I'm sure you already know this, however.

If you want good quality photos use a DSL camera. I use a Nilkon D3500 with an 18-55 mm or a 70-300mm lens. This is a middle-of-the-road camera with an ordinary lens. It takes excellent photos. My partner in all things dealing with photography uses a Nikon D7500 which is more advanced and a few specialty lenses. My camera has a stability setting and a variety of auto settings in addition to the manual settings. Use the raw setting. It allows for the highest density giving you the ability to enlarge photos without losing details. You may want to use reflectors etc if you truly want pro-level photos. Also, consider having a ladder handy to take photos at different elevations. The one thing you can do is practice. Take photos now, not just the best day. You will begin to see what angles, time of day, and lens works for your needs. I have never tried to take exterior photos for a sale of a home. I think it requires a certain skill set that with your eye you could easily develop.

Here are two photos that were taken from approximately the same spot, one with an iPhone and one with my DSL.

You can easily see the difference in color, and clarity.

Good luck with this exciting project.

Check how many megapixels there are in your phone vs. your camera. My newish Samsung phone has more megapixels than my camera.

Don't discount your iPhone. I'm not familiar with your model but I have an 11 Pro Max and it can take awesome photos, esp. in Portrait mode using f-stop. I think it has all to do with lighting and framing. The Photos edit feature is surprisingly easy. Or haul them into Photoshop with more features. Usually just a judicious crop and Levels adjustment and you're good to go. I would take some full-resolution shots when the light is good and see how it goes.

It’s not unusual here to tour a home for sale and find an album (or collage) of photos taken at various times during the year. Including interior Christmas tree placement and sunset views from the deck or patio. These are seldom part of the listing but available to potential buyers.

Also FWIW, there are all kinds of photo apps for editing, besides the ones that come with your computer. I use Apple's Photos app a lot to edit less than ideal shots, but I also have a number of photo editing & graphics apps to choose from as well.

BBSTX that is a wonderful shot, beautifully balanced!

When we sold our previous home our realtor had a snapfish type book made with some seasonal photos of the house and gardens in different seasons. It was left our for people touring the home and now we have it as a memory book.

When we were selling our home of 20yrs, I would leave a slideshow going on the desktop/laptop to show the seasons during showings.

All the stuff to do to sell a house these days! It used to be you just had to price right, make sure everything was spotless, maintained, have reasonably good photos and a great realtor. Now you need drones, professional photography, stagers, a buffet and an orchestra. It 's crazy! Yeah, you might sell faster with all that but does it really come out to selling at a higher price after all that output?

I admit I'm a bit of a moaning baby right now. I'm exhausted, but, my house will be listed Saturday if it kills me. No drones, no flying in famous people to sing at the appointment only open-ish house. The photos are from my iphone. I'm listing with no one but paying 2.5% commission to licensed realtors. Granted, I'm not in the multi million and beyond category so there's that. I am in a desirable area though.

Did I already mention how exhausted I am?

Really though, Mtn, as said above don't discount the iphone and the many editing programs. Your house is naturally lovely so would also benefit from professional photography. With some homes though, there seems to be a tad of dishonesty in professional realty photo's. Some homes have no resemblance whatsoever to the fancy photography. For that reason I'm taking the chance of using my own photos, they are not too bad actually but obviously not professional. Also, they will not be so bright as to look distorted and hurt ones eyes.

If you don't hear from me for a while I've dropped dead from exhaustion.

@just_terrilynn I am right there behind you. Packing, packing and packing. Everything multiplies when I'm sleeping. But, I can see the light. My body might not make it though. Wishing you a quick and easy sell.

I hope it’s fast and easy Allison. It sounds like you know exactly what I’m talking about lol.

On a good note... I just put my house up for sale on Zillow and in 35 min had over eighty views and five saves. Earlier in the week I had posted a Coming Soon on Nextdoor and a few Facebook realty sites. I have one appointment on Saturday from that . They wanted to come pre-Open House but I just want everyone in a day.

I hope you get an offer that blows your socks off! No contingencies, no inspections, cash, settlement at your convenience and just to make you feel even better about selling - buyers who love your home.

Maire, wouldn’t that be a dream scenario!!!

Anyhoo, I just had a bionic lens (multifocal implant) put in my eye during cataract surgery so hope I get mostly realtors with clients. I’ll give them a floor plan and stay mostly out of sight with my scary red monster eye.

I'm just trying to think ahead, way ahead. Personally, i fall in love with houses from photos. I did with this one! Also, you kind of have to do whatever the norm is for your market and your segment. Which is professional photography, for sure.

I am sure your sale will be uber quick, given your savvy and the market!

Yes I know you are right about the norm Mtn. A friend near Miami offered to put it on MLS for me. She suggested that I use her Photographer. I actually would have done that as her person only charges around $150 for one of the packages. Unfortunately she wasn’t available till after the open-ish house.

ETA: two of my photos aren’t great but most are fairly descent or even really good.

“Also, you kind of have to do whatever the norm is for your market and your segment. Which is professional photography, for sure.”

Are you talking about professional photos that you furnish for the listing or your realtor having a professional come in and take the pics? Aren’t listing photos (and cost) part of the fee paid to the listing agent when your home sells?

good luck just_terrilynn.....houses here (Tampa area) are still going for over listing price.

Thanks Maddie! I have more areas to check out over there on your side, sometime into the future we might be neighbors lol. I’m going to sit it out for a bit till it becomes a buyers market though. I say that but I could only last just so long in my sons Townhouse.

The realtor we spoke to said it was customary, in their practice, for them to provide photography, including drone, and staging.

I doubt you would need much staging Mtn. ETA: there is a neighborhood a bit further west of me with similar aged homes and styles. OMG, they all use the same stager who uses the exact same white dining and bar stools in every house they stage. There are other samenesses but those white chairs/stools really stand out. Has anyone else noticed the same furnishings showing up in realty photos?

I have a million appointments for showings tomorrow. Being that I march to my own drum I don’t have to be available at any time. Sorry I‘m afraid it’s not available today, would a time tomorrow between one and five be okay? Yes. Good! I’m looking forward to meeting you. Me: thank you for the compliment on my home. It looks just like the pictures, I took them on my iPhone and they are un -doctored. I almost went too far with one realtor who was trying to intimidate me regarding the price. I almost said No Soup For You! Haha, I’m getting delirious. Can you tell?

No help, but big yes! on photos of your gorgeous property through the seasons. For r.e., of course, but also as a photo book for your family to enjoy years from now, with interior pics, too. Off topic, but I’ve been following emails of designer blogger *L.B who has recently moved from Westchester to Back Bay area of Boston. You might enjoy the beautiful pics she’s been posting.

* Do you know her? Read she is persona non grata here.