During the Photography For REALTORS class I did recently I mentioned that I have a rule I call the “four-corners” rule. It is basically a mental reminder to walk to all four corners of a room or space and look in the opposite direction. So often I think I know the obvious shot that I should take, but when I follow this exercise I find an alternative that does a much better job of showing a potential buyer the flow of a home.
The dining room in this beautiful Don Julian home I photographed recently for Erin Peel provides a good example:
This is the shot that we tend to gravitate toward. It shows the window and the bump-out for a hutch or buffet. Save for those two things, it’s a bit dull, though.
Walking to another corner and looking back shows the very open nature of the space. It includes the main entry and hints at the dramatic use of arches in the design of the home.
Finally, the view from the entry itself – the view guests will see first when they come to visit. I’ve always felt the entry to a home is a point of pride for many, and I try to shoot both at – and from – that spot.
Big, open floor plans provide some of the most challenging shots from a technical standpoint. While the first image was done with two flash units, the bottom two required eight each – some through umbrellas and others bounced off walls that were out of view.
Thank you, Erin, for the opportunity to photograph this property. It was a great pleasure!
Here are a few more images from the shoot that take the prospective buyer a little further into the home…
by Harry
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