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How to photograph your property - James Davis, Upad.co.uk

How to photograph your property

Did you know that rental ads with pictures get four times as many enquiries as those without? If you want to let your property quickly, there’s no question that photographs are crucial – but fuzzy pictures taken with your mobile phone, or non-specific shots of the front of a building, can be close to useless.

Tenants have told us that the living room is what they most want to see: unsurprising, as it's the room they'll spend the most time in awake. Next most important is the garden. Even if it's just a small terrace, outside space really adds to the rentability of your property, so make sure you include a picture of it. If you’re using an online lettings agent like Upad, the first picture you upload will normally be the thumbnail that represents your property in search results – so make sure it’s a good one!

Choosing the right time of day to take them is one of the most important aspects to getting a good interior photo. Pictures taken in the early morning or evening have less glare from outside, meaning fewer dark shadows inside. Turn automatic flash off, because it makes for glare from mirrors and windows, and too-dark shadows: using a tripod to support the camera should negate the need for flash. Ensure the camera is straight: pointing upwards or downwards can distort lines and make the room's proportions look all wrong.

Someone once said that photographing interiors is “10% creativity and 90% moving furniture”. Before you take the picture, declutter: the previous tenant’s washing up doesn’t add much to your stylish kitchen (and we know it sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed how many people don’t bother). Consider also removing all the small bits and pieces, pictures, vases and mirrors, that might make the room look nice when you're in it, but can make a photograph look over-busy.

Some landlords with a lot of similar flats to rent out will use the same pictures for all the adverts. One magnolia-painted bedsit looks very like another, doesn't it? Not if you're a prospective tenant. Anyone browsing through a lettings website is likely to see all your properties listed with the same photos: at best, you look like a landlord who can't be bothered, and at worst, you look like a fraudster who doesn't really have a property to rent at all. For the sake of a few extra minutes, take a specific picture of every rental you've got.

Finally, assuming you're using a digital camera, take advantage of the fact. Digital lets you shoot a lot of pictures with no extra cost, so make sure you give yourself plenty to choose from so you can get the best shot. And don't forget to edit: most digital cameras come with some basic editing software that will let you crop out that coffee cup you forgot to move and brighten up a dull picture. Upad landlords can upload up to 20 pictures to each listing, so you have plenty of space to show off your property to the max.

James Davis

James is CEO of Upad.co.uk. A residential landlord for over 12 years with an established portfolio and an active long term investor. Previously Sales Director for First Radio Sales and successful floatation of AIM listed Campus Media.

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