(And How They Ruin Your Video Potential)
Tags: real estate marketing, property photography, listing photos, video marketing, seller tips
You have a fantastic listing. You know it, the sellers know it, and you're confident the right buyer will fall in love with it.
The problem? Getting that right buyer to click, engage, and book a showing.
In today's digital-first market, your listing's success hinges on its visual appeal. And while you might be focused on the final video tour, the secret to a captivating video lies in its source material: your photos.
Excellent photos are the foundation; without them, even the best video editing will fall flat.
Too often, simple and avoidable mistakes in photography sabotage a listing before it ever has a chance.
👉 We call them The 7 Deadly Sins of Property Photography.
Are you guilty of any of them?
1️⃣ The Sin of Gloom and Glare
The Mistake:
Photos that are too dark, have harsh flash shadows, or feature blown-out windows.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Inconsistent lighting creates a jarring, flickering effect in video pans. Dark areas look muddy, while bright spots distract from the view.
The Simple Fix:
Shoot mid-morning or early afternoon with all lights on and blinds open. Mix natural and artificial light for a warm, inviting space.
2️⃣ The Sin of Clutter and Chaos
The Mistake:
Personal items, counter appliances, magnets, and clutter distract and shrink the room.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
A still photo is distracting—panning across clutter is a dizzying mess. Movement amplifies untidiness.
The Simple Fix:
Declutter ruthlessly. Remove 50% of items from surfaces. Keep kitchens and bathrooms nearly bare except for a few decorative touches.
3️⃣ The Sin of Awkward Angles
The Mistake:
Shooting too high, too low, or with tilted cameras → distorted walls and odd perspectives.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Distorted photos stitched into video create a disorienting, amateur effect.
The Simple Fix:
Shoot from chest height (~5 ft), keep your camera level, and use grid lines to keep verticals straight.
4️⃣ The Sin of Vertical Photos
The Mistake:
Shooting in portrait mode.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Vertical photos in a 16:9 video leave ugly black bars, shrinking your property into a narrow column.
The Simple Fix:
Always shoot horizontal. No exceptions.
5️⃣ The Sin of Ignoring the Details
The Mistake:
Closed toilet lids, crooked frames, wrinkled bedspreads, dirty windows → small things buyers notice.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Pans highlight imperfections and pull attention away from key features.
The Simple Fix:
Do a final room sweep before shooting. Straighten, fluff, clean, and yes—put the toilet seat down.
6️⃣ The Sin of Inconsistent Editing
The Mistake:
Mixing warm, bright edits with cool, moody ones. Inconsistency looks pieced together.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Transitions between mismatched photos feel cheap and slideshow-like.
The Simple Fix:
Pick one editing style and apply it consistently across all photos.
7️⃣ The Sin of the Sterile Space
The Mistake:
Over-decluttering, leaving a cold and lifeless space.
Why It Ruins Your Video:
Sterile homes lack emotional connection in video—buyers feel like they’re watching a catalog.
The Simple Fix:
Add small, neutral touches:
- Bowl of apples in the kitchen
- Throw blanket on the sofa
- A few books on the nightstand
- Vase of flowers
🌟 Great Photos are the First Step to a Great Video
Avoiding these seven sins won’t just improve your photo gallery—it will elevate your video potential.
Your photos are the raw ingredients we use to craft compelling video tours. The better the ingredients, the more spectacular the final result.
Once you have a collection of bright, level, captivating horizontal photos, you’re ready for the next step.
👉 Let us bring them to life.
Visit StagerVideo.com to see how we transform stunning photography into dynamic video tours that sell listings.