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Thoughts on these professional photos please.

282 replies

Therearetoomanyofus · 10/07/2023 20:07

We've just put our house on the market having just finished renovating it. The estate agent advised us to have a company come and take the photos for the brochure which we did and paid for.
I cant shake the feeling that they're just a little underwhelming. The estate agent has suggested we take some more 'lifestyle' photos that they could add to the listing but ive realised I'm no photographer and they just look a little crap!

Do you think it would be worth getting the photographer back or am I overthinking it and the photos are fine?
Here's the listing: https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137062946#/?channel=RES_BUY

Check out this 6 bedroom detached house for sale on Rightmove

6 bedroom detached house for sale in Ringwood Road, Burley, Ringwood, Hampshire, BH24 for £2,500,000. Marketed by Woolley and Wallis, Ringwood

https://www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/137062946#/?channel=RES_BUY

OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
BananasinBurley · 10/07/2023 23:04

ArabeIIaScott · 10/07/2023 22:59

Do you really honestly? Sounds lovely.

Yep, absolutely. Pigs only in Autumn though, they let them out to eat all the acorns because too many acorns are toxic for the ponies. And I believe the donkeys actually recently got a restraining order as they were hassling the tourists a bit too much. On the down side we also have about 40 dozen MAMILs buzzing through every day.

DozensOfRoses · 10/07/2023 23:09

Hello!
I do think there are a couple of issues with the listing, I think however many are more in the staging rather than the photos themselves. I also think the layout of the house is quite confusing so you need to make it really clear what each room is actually for. Also, with such large rooms there is a danger of them looking out of proportion and low ceilinged when photographed too widely, as it's hard to get a sense of the scale.

Image 1: front of house: I personally really like this image, it could perhaps be made a bit clearer where the front door actually is but it has a lot of charm and definitely makes me want to explore more.

Image 2: not a fan of this, house looks absolutely enormous but a lot of dead space and I'm left feeling a bit confused. Either hang the clock or remove it: items like this at confusing heights add to the feeling that I can't quite figure out the proportions. Get rid of the itty bitty items and charging cables from the island. One of the things that immediately stood out to me about your kitchen is that while clearly new and expensive the layout seems to be an issue: the sink-fridge-cooker is a bit of a marathon, and you missed out on any nice sink or oven framing moments that would be good to capture as a stand-alone-photo. The yellowy pine at the end of the room also clashes with the colour of the floors and the rest of the room (would be ideal if sanded and painted in a chalky white), same with the grasses. I'd also want to experiment with a couple of different angles for the photo: how can you reduce the feeling of dead space in the foreground while still giving an idea of the layout? Are there any really good angles that give a sense of the kitchen being practical?

Image 3: not a fan of the staging here and my initial response was a bit 'holy fuck' just due to visual overload and confusion about what was going on. I was also extremely confused about what I was seeing at first, am I right that this is essentially a bar and entertaining room? I get what you're going for with the bar and the mirrors but it doesn't work (at least in photos) as it's just too much. It needs to be staged with smaller amounts of bottles, in groups, and the whole surface cleared off (look at all that storage space you have!). The table is also confusing things a lot: firstly it looks either dirty or weirdly textured? The whole set up of plates and what I thought were giant shrimps does not translate on camera. For photos you want simple shapes that photograph with clarity. The chairs are also cheapening the vibe; what is going on with what looks like a replacement lime bit of fabric on the top? Get this room cleaned up and ensure that within 3 seconds of looking at it on a small screen you know it's an entertaining room.

Image 4: I hate when images jump about, bring me on a rational tour!!! The flowerbeds are also bringing down the look, somewhere cottagy wants to look a but overflowing with wild roses, not so stripped back. The grass could also look a bit better: this should be something they photoshop if necessary.

Image 5: picture doesn't work for me because I am seeing space and expanse rather than understanding how the space works. I can't tell for sure if this is an issue with your kitchen or with your photo. Actually now I see a second sink there, hard to see against the background: maybe have a think of whether there is a way to make the usability of the space more clear? Would also love a nice sink moment with the Belfast, like a vintage cut glass mirror or something so it doesn't just look like you put it in the wrong place. Remove the itty bitty items: a small number of bigger pieces is better, the scale is all wrong.

Image 6: it helps show the flow of the house, I would be tempted to remove a previous overly zoomed out kitchen and keep something similar to this instead. I'm still not keen on the dead space but also not sure if there is anything that can be done about that.

Image 7: for staging you need to try to get everything perfect, so get whatever is under the stairs out of there. In that alcove: you again have a problem of scale. Removed the multiple small itty bitty items, replace with one large item (eg vase of white flowers). And bed: get beds looking luxury and you have far too much storage to be leaving things visible under the beds! I think photographer could have got the lighting a bit better in this shot but I definitely don't think it's an issue for you.

Image 8: don't have a major issues but in an ideal world all windowsills would be empty and chairs would be a little lest upright and pushed in. A white area rug would be ideal.

Image 9: main issue is the jumping around of spaces, I AM SO CONFUSED. Open doors looking great and lovely to highlight, just as before the bar and the table staging are just not it. Photographer might also be able to photoshop your table and chairs for you? Make the table flat and the chairs match the same fabric throughout?

Image 10: hate this picture, both picture and staging. What is this room meant to be? It does not function for TV, you can't actually watch that. The tiny itty bitty items on fireplace need to go. The photographer has also messed this up, I want to feel the seating space like a square and not like a corridor. I would personally remove the tv from here and put in green room. And again stop leaning things against the walls, it is not a good look.

Image 11: this is where things go really wrong for me, this room does not work, both staging and photos. First thing I see is that the paint is all wrong: not the colour (bold but fine, if you want to stick with that look) but the horrible gloss texture that shows every bump and makes this look cheap and claustrophobic. Get the same colour in a total matte and repaint. Then you need to consider: what is the purpose of this room? At the moment it's like a cave without a function. Make this the TV room, move the tv in there. You painted the ceiling to try to lower it and make it snug, a big low chandelier here would have really help (brassy or antler). The carpet is wrong but if you don't want to change that then you at least need to change out coffee table: basically one is reading faux luxe vibe, other is slightly grizzly bar; they leave the space confused. A big ottoman or some other seating would look good in here, all focused on a tv to give the space a use. And be careful with lamps, you can end up with it looking like an interrogation. Ideally I'd also lower all those inbuilt shelves a bit, the height doesn't look right. Or leave them as is and have the tv put in front in there. Rethink your flower choice: again are you going for luxe all white hotel or green-brass-black bar? Pick one identity and go with it. You could repaint the room paler and get it cottagey with a bit of tweed/tartan as an alternative. Just pick one look and be consistent.

Image 13: don't block windows, invest in a hammer. Remove items from under bed. Bed could look a lot more luxe: specifically the duvet and pillows (read up about how they do that for professional shoots, you should have more than enough duvets to double up). Not sure if it's the angle but the bath looks right up against your bed, maybe a further shot would clarify?

Image 14: I am given a sense of a bedroom lacking in space. Bed is in wrong place and very poorly dressed, also the light on the windowsill gives a sense of making do with the space you have rather than having anywhere to actually put a bed. Likewise the slightly random furniture item. Rethink layout and rephotograph.

Image 15: not sure why you picked those tiles with that floor and those cupboards, they just all read different (combination of lights and cools, very different playful vibe from the tiles vs traditional cabinet).

Image 16: this is one of your real problem images, from staging and photography. All I see is really bad gloss paint, a dirty shower, no storage so you're jamming up the windowsill. Personally I would rethink the colour but if you want to stick with it, do again without a gloss finish. Also get the mirror on the wall, and cover the radiator with a big luxury white towel.

Image 17: looks like a cute little granny cottage, although outdoor could be staged a bit better.

Image 18: you need to stage the room. Remove the random items, open the doors to the garden, get the furniture out from against the wall and the random bits removed. A nice big coffee table.

Image 19: would be perfect if staged, just remove all the unnecessary items everywhere.

Image 20: if you're on a painting spree I would get rid of the pink but it's not going to kill it. You just need to stage this room: goodbye to everything on the left, everything on the sills and most of the countertop stuff.

DozensOfRoses · 10/07/2023 23:11

Also, I need to see more bedrooms as at the moment I have a sense of a very bottom-heavy house with almost too much space for eating and nowhere to sleep. I also want to see some garages and gates and some of those practical elements.

DozensOfRoses · 10/07/2023 23:12

And assuming your utility is nicely done like the kitchen, that too!!!

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 10/07/2023 23:12

LoveBluey · 10/07/2023 20:15

Yeah it's a bit of a dive. Good luck shifting that.

🤣🤣

ihavebecomecomfortablynumb · 10/07/2023 23:20

They do look very bland and boring and are not really selling the house very well at all. I think the main issue is that the photographer has used an insanely wide angle lens to fit as much as possible in and then tweaked the perspective to straighten things up, which has resulted in some rather distorted, odd images that most people will subconsciously realise are not quite right without really knowing why.

I can understand why they do this in small houses to make the rooms seem larger but in your case this has made some of the rooms appear less than cosy and welcoming. There are some very odd angles and in some rooms I don’t think they shot from the best position to show the interiors at their best.

To be honest though, the floor plan is really what it’s all about. When I view a house I don’t want to be distracted by the current owners decor and furnishings, I want to see the bones of the house, how the rooms flow together, the room sizes and how practical the layout is. The floor plan tells me what I need to know, even if the photos don’t immediately draw me in.

ivegotdreadfulpmttoday · 10/07/2023 23:32

💯 get the photographer back. The only good photo is the first one and the garden.

AussieKoala · 10/07/2023 23:36

Beautiful home, you've got lovely taste

if you don't mind me asking, why/where are you moving? I'm always curious when I see a big and beautiful property like this listed, like where could the owners possibly be moving to - Windsor Castle? 😂

Therearetoomanyofus · 10/07/2023 23:37

@DozensOfRoses thank you, that must have taken you an age! I'll be going round with your list tmrw. Some of the things I won't be able to do anything about- none of the rooms have shiny walls so I'm guessing a better photo might solve that.
And we have the jn-laws living in the cottage so won't be able to do a thing about any of those rooms either.
Ironically I do have a stag chandelier for the snug but the ceiling is just too low in there for me to put it up.
The bedroom in image 14 is the smallest and putting the bed anywhere else just isn't possible sadly. We have 3 more bedrooms that aren't shown in the photos so maybe it won't look so bad if the other (much bigger) bedrooms
are shown.

I'll be going round with fresh eyes, your post has really been helpful. Thank you 😊

OP posts:
Therearetoomanyofus · 10/07/2023 23:40

@AussieKoala we need to move for work. Honestly. I'd rather not be selling- it's a gorgeous home despite how it may appear on the listing!

OP posts:
awks21 · 10/07/2023 23:50

Aww man I'm really rethinking my life choices just now 😥 what does one have to do to afford a house like this 😍

TaylorSwiftFan · 10/07/2023 23:52

Photos are poor.

Definitely would expect a video also

TaylorSwiftFan · 10/07/2023 23:52

But beautiful house

TaylorSwiftFan · 10/07/2023 23:53

Also I think it's off not to show pics or every room so when new pictures are done recommend none being missed out.

Looks like something to hide otherwise

GreenMini · 11/07/2023 00:03

Neutral but also too barren for me.
You could inject a tiny bit of personality into it even with a jug of flowers or a cafetière of coffee. Why is there a strange shot of the back of the house interspersed with all the interior shots?

Museya15 · 11/07/2023 00:13

ReadingSoManyThreads · 10/07/2023 21:16

No she didn't. The photos are wank. Now she has the confidence to go back to the estate agent to get better photos.

All the "brag" and "showboat" comments are clearly just out of jealousy.

She only put it on for you lot to drool over it! It worked suckers!!

SaltyCrisps · 11/07/2023 00:32

LoveBluey · 10/07/2023 20:15

Yeah it's a bit of a dive. Good luck shifting that.

😂 😂😂

(Sorry, OP - obviously it's a stunning house, but this made me laugh.)

Malbab · 11/07/2023 06:43

For a property in that price bracket the photos are not creating wow factor check out adverts from luxury property partnership , fine and country kind of agents adverts for house in that price range and compare , they sold some houses near us they did beautiful pics and walk in tour is a must

Weedoormatnomore · 11/07/2023 07:29

You need to change estate agents the photos are terrible. I know they told you to get a photographer but any good estate agent would have done better photos whether themselves or bringing in their own photographer.

Yikesno · 11/07/2023 07:35

Museya15 · 11/07/2023 00:13

She only put it on for you lot to drool over it! It worked suckers!!

I really don't think so - the photos are truly terrible. There are plenty of houses near where I live that are worth that much and when they go up for sale the photos always look like something out of a magazine. These photos really don't, and that house will be going up against other similarly priced properties that are marketed properly.

I would probably switch estate agents at this point, OP. The ones you've got seem so unprofessional. You shouldn't have to be checking up on them and correcting their work and if they're this bad now imagine how bad they'll be as your sale progresses.

Weedoormatnomore · 11/07/2023 07:36

Therearetoomanyofus · 10/07/2023 23:40

@AussieKoala we need to move for work. Honestly. I'd rather not be selling- it's a gorgeous home despite how it may appear on the listing!

Surprised as the house looks more like it was done up to sell for profit does not look like a home. This could be due to the photos though.

CornedBeef451 · 11/07/2023 07:38

It's a lovely house but some of the photos are a bit weird, I think you can do better.

summerfireplace · 11/07/2023 07:43

Are you taking the piss?

EarringsandLipstick · 11/07/2023 07:52

OhmyGod @DozensOfRoses you must have had a lot of time on your hands last night!

I really don't get the posters saying the house is cold & unwelcoming ....

RoseBucket · 11/07/2023 08:28

GreenMini · 11/07/2023 00:03

Neutral but also too barren for me.
You could inject a tiny bit of personality into it even with a jug of flowers or a cafetière of coffee. Why is there a strange shot of the back of the house interspersed with all the interior shots?

This @Therearetoomanyofus it lacks personality, it’s a house not a home you might have decluttered a bit too much.

Lovely area to live, very jealous.

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