References
NAR Library & Archives has already done the research for you. References (formerly Field Guides) offer links to articles, eBooks, websites, statistics, and more to provide a comprehensive overview of perspectives. EBSCO articles (E) are available only to NAR members and require the member's nar.realtor login.
REALTORS®' Use of Digital Cameras
Frequency of use of digital cameras:
Daily . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21%
A few times per week . . . .20%
A few times per month . . . .9%
Rarely or never. . . . . . . . . 37%
Source: 2021 National Association of REALTORS® Member Profile
Usefulness of Photos and Virtual Tours
- 43% of homebuyers find virtual tours to be very useful.
- 84% of homebuyers find photos to be very useful.
Source: 2021 National Association of REALTORS® Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers
Choosing a Camera
Top Essential Tips on Choosing and Buying a Digital Camera (ePHOTOzine, Jan. 12, 2022)
At the end of the day, it depends on what your budget is, what you want from a camera and how professional you are looking to go. It will surely depend person-to-person, but as a rough guide, ask yourself a few questions: Do I want photographs of professional quality? Do I want a camera that has to be carried around in a separate bag because of its size? Do I have the money to buy lenses and other equipment to improve my kit?
7 Best Cameras for Real Estate Photography in 2022 [Expert Picks] (CameraKen, Jan. 6, 2022)
I’ve made sure that products from different tiers of price ranges are present, so there should be something on your desired budget. While the top-most cameras are high-end, we walk our way down to mid-range and cheap devices. After evaluating a handful number of products, these are the ones that made it to the final list:
Best Cameras for Vlogging in 2022: From Mirrorless to Pocket Sized Gimbal Cameras (Digital Camera World, Dec. 15, 2021)
You can probably get away with a camera that doesn't have 4K capabilities however, technology is advancing so quickly you may as well future-proof your purchase. Even if you shoot in 4K, you can upload in 1080p to save on time but at least you have that option. You can crop into 4K, reframe your video and still output at 1080p so it's more flexible to get a camera that is 4K ready.
How-To Tips: Shooting, Editing, & Storing Digital Photographs
Real Estate Photography Tips & Tricks (Focus, Dec. 16, 2021)
Once you’re finished shooting, it’s time to backup your files and start editing. Most professional photographers use programs such as Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, and Capture One to edit their images. If you shot with a wide angle lens – that is, wider than 24mm – some of your images may look a little unnatural. Thankfully, most photo editing applications offer features that can help reduce distortion, such as the Lens Corrections tool in Lightroom.
Best Photo Editing App 2022: from Beginners to Pros (ZDNet, Nov. 17, 2021)
Our picks for the best photo editing apps are suitable for both budding beginners and the more established professional photographers. Whatever you may photograph, our picks can handle it with endless features and competitive pricing that makes enlisting a little help a no-brainer.
The Best Cloud Storage for Photos in 2022: Online Storage for Photographers (Digital Camera World, Nov. 12, 2021)
Some will be happy with a free service that provides limited amounts of storage. For others, upgrading to a paid cloud storage service will be a better option, giving you more storage, and more advanced features as well.
Real Estate Photography: the Complete Guide (Digital Photography School, Oct. 13, 2021)
If you don’t like the result you get with morning or afternoon light, you might consider shooting on an overcast day. Cloudy skies can eliminate problems with the sun’s position, but discuss it with your client first, because white skies can lessen the impact of an otherwise great exterior image.
Marketing Your Listings With Digital Images
What the New Digital Real Estate Customer Really Wants (RISMedia, Dec. 14, 2021)
Sean A. Haghi, CEO and principal of Elements Real Estate, a real estate boutique with a focus on contemporary real estate, says, “my first step was to hire a digital marketing manager to help manage and come up with those digital marketing strategies to better reach our target clients. We’ve also changed the way we market our properties by relying less on signage, flyers and other print materials and opting for landing pages and mini websites for each property. We also spend thousands of dollars each year to advertise via Facebook and Twitter.”
How to Do Digital Marketing for Real Estate (Inc., Oct. 29, 2021)
Content marketing for real estate should also include other forms of content, including visuals like photos and videos.
Video for Real Estate: Everything You Need to Know (Lemon Light, Sep. 13 2021)
Think of it this way: video can work as a permanent open house for any property you’re trying to sell. Set up your decor, set the perfect lighting, make the space inviting and warm, and film it! You’ll capture the space as it should be captured, without having to worry about daily upkeep.
Virtual Tours
Video Technology is Critical if Your Target Home-Buyer is out of Town—or Still Overseas (Mansion Global, Nov. 12, 2021)
Sellers and their agents should also be strategic about their use of video tours: Meticulously produced videos may be visually appealing, but many prospective buyers want a more candid view of a property. Sellers should aim for authenticity over gloss, and try to reveal a home in all its details over live, one-on-one video.
Virtual Tours Help Boost Rural Real Estate Market (KRTV, Oct. 26, 2021)
Licensed assistant Jennifer Birkeland says the virtual tours have helped with the workload and save time for everyone when it comes to the buying process.
Virtual Tours of Real Estate for Sale: a Pandemic Response That’s Here to Stay (Rocket Homes, Oct. 26, 2021)
Prior to shooting, you should also prepare the property. Make sure that all the lights are on and plan the route your tour will take. “Have doors open before you start the video,” advises Nancy Brook, licensed broker and CEO of Billings Best Real Estate in Montana. By opening doors ahead of time, you can eliminate those awkward moments of fumbling with doorknobs and create a more seamless video of the properties.
Useful Websites
CNET Cameras — Product reviews and recommendations, comparisons, buyer's guides, how-to articles, and more from the electronics experts at CNET.
Digital Camera World — Digital Camera World is the world's fastest-growing photography website, covering every aspect of image-making, from DSLR and mirrorless cameras to mobile photography, drones, post-production and printing. This site also has buying guides, tutorials and product reviews.
Digital Photography Review — Product reviews, discussion forums, sample images, glossaries, buyer's guides, comparison charts, tutorials, news, etc. The site even includes a fully linked timeline to digital cameras released since 1995.
Digital Photo Mentor — Whether you're a beginner photographer, intermediate or seasoned shooter, you'll find photography articles here to help you take your skills to the next level.
Fro Knows Photo — Professional photographer, Jared Polin, offers product reviews, discussion forums, advice, instructional videos, and photo critiques. A useful website for both beginner and advanced photographers.
Imaging Resource — Comprehensive site features product reviews, comparison charts, news, tutorials, and other key information about all aspects of digital cameras and photography.
Shortcourses — Online tutorials on various digital camera topics, with a glossary of terms and links to other digital camera websites. A valuable feature of the Shortcourses site is the collection of printable, portable guides to using specific Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus digital camera models.
techradar — The source for tech buying advice.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following eBooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Digital Video (eBook)
Digital Photography All-in-One Desk Reference for Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Photography Just the Steps For Dummies® (eBook)
Digital Video Essentials (eBook)
Digital Video for Dummies® (eBook)
How to Do Everything: Digital Camera (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Online Video (eBook)
How to Do Everything with Your iPhone® (eBook)
How to Shoot Video That Doesn’t Suck (eBook)
Video Marketing for Dummies (eBook)
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