When it comes to selling or renting your property, the quality of your photos can make or break your listing. However, not all real estate photos are created equal. Depending on your property and target audience, you may need more than just basic interior shots. In this post, we’ll break down the most common types of real estate photography, when to use them, and how to choose the right combination for your next listing, whether you’re a homeowner renting a suite or a real estate listing promoting a new property.
Standard Interior & Exterior Real Estate Photos
Best for: Residential listings, rentals, and smaller properties
These are the bread and butter of real estate photography. They include wide, multi-angle shots of each room, front and back yard, and key features like kitchens and bathrooms. They’re essential for any listing, especially for buyers browsing online realty sites.
These real estate photos focus on clarity, lighting, and space, typically including 25–35 images to showcase a full home. These basic photos also work well for MLS listings, Airbnb rental postings, and property brochures for realtors.
Twilight Photography
Best for: Luxury homes, new developments, standout listings
What are twilight real estate photos? Twilight shots capture the property during golden hour or after sunset, showcasing glowing windows, outdoor lighting, and an upscale ambiance. Taking photos during the sunset adds emotional appeal and drama with the unique colours in the sky.
Twilight photography highlights any pool lighting, landscaping, and exterior architecture for more extensive properties. These beautiful shots make for the perfect featured photo for a listing. Consider scheduling with your photographer just before the sun goes down!
Drone and Aerial Photos
Best for: Acreages, commercial properties, condos with views, and larger lots
Aerial shots provide scale, showcase the neighbourhood, and offer a unique perspective that standard photography can’t. Drone photos can be used for showing proximity to parks, water, shops, or downtown. This type of photo also helps highlight property layout or surrounding amenities
While drone photography takes your listings to new heights, you should always combine them with standard ground photography. Having only aerial shots in a listing does not show individual rooms or amenities of the property. A combination of both elevates your listing and increases views.
Virtual Staging
Best for: Vacant properties, new builds, or homes needing a facelift
Virtual staging involves digitally placing furniture and decor into empty rooms, giving buyers a better sense of how the space could be used. When possible, physical staging should be used, however virtual staging is more cost-effective for many people. Virtual staging allows for multiple style options to be shown, and it’s great for pre-sale listings or show homes.
Floor Plans & Measurements
Best for: Condos, townhomes, and buyers who prioritize layout
Adding a floor plan gives potential buyers or renters clear insight into the flow and size of the space through a map-style mockup. Floor plans can be done in 2D or 3D formats and are often required for commercial listings or real estate boards. They may not even require any photos for the listing, just measurements taken!
Floor plans pair well with virtual tours and walkthroughs, giving potential buyers who cannot view the property physically a good idea of the space. It also reduces any unnecessary showings if there are scheduling conflicts.
3D Virtual Tours
Best for: Long-distance buyers, vacation properties, and commercial spaces
3D virtual tours allow viewers to “walk through” the property online at their own pace, building trust and interest before an in-person visit. 3D tours create a fully interactive experience for potential buyers who cannot see the property in person. These tours work on all mobile devices, and are also a great addition to open houses, pre-sales, or high-end listings.
How to Choose the Right Real Estate Photography Package
Property type: Is it a condo or a luxury estate? How will you showcase all rooms, features, and surrounding amenities?
Listing goal: Do you need quick turnover or are you marketing a showpiece?
Target buyer: Are they local, international, investor, or first-time buyer?
Budget & timeline: What’s your ideal budget? Do you want to splurge to add a 3D tour or drone photos? Any scheduling conflicts? Balance your needs with your available resources.
Which Type of Real Estate Photos Do You Need?
Not every listing needs every type of real estate photography, but choosing the right mix can be the difference between a quick sale and a slow season. Whether you’re highlighting a cozy apartment, a scenic acreage, or a downtown office, quality visuals help tell the story of the space.
At Dream It Creations, we help realtors and developers match their property to the perfect media package so that every listing makes an impact. Talk with us today to figure out which type of photos works best for your listing.