Real Estate CameraHow the list is put together
The list follows our room-by-room shot list. Main rooms get two angles from opposite corners, secondary rooms one, and the kitchen gets a detail shot only when something in it is worth a close-up. The order is the one buyers expect in the MLS gallery: front exterior first, because it's usually the search thumbnail, then a walk through the house.
The range under the count comes from our guide to how many listing photos to post, which starts from Zillow's 22 to 27 for a typical home and adjusts for size. Shoot about twice what you'll post and cut the near-duplicates afterward.
Two exceptions to the order
- If the front gives you little to work with, like a condo hallway or a house hidden behind trees, lead with the strongest interior and put the exterior second.
- If one thing will sell the home, like a lake view or a new kitchen, move it up to second place.
For an empty home, the vacant listing checklist covers what changes when there's no furniture to anchor the rooms. Shooting on a phone? Start with real estate photos on an iPhone.
Questions
How many photos should a listing have?
Zillow's photography guide puts the ideal at 22 to 27 photos for a typical home. A one-bedroom condo needs fewer and a big house with land needs more. The generator gives a range for the home you describe.
What order should listing photos go in?
Lead with the best front exterior, since the first photo is usually the search thumbnail. Then walk through the house: entry, living areas, kitchen and dining, the primary suite, other bedrooms and baths, bonus rooms, the yard and the extras. The list comes out in that order.
Should I shoot more photos than I post?
Yes, about twice as many. Extra angles cost nothing on the day, and they give you a fallback when one shot has a reflection or a leaning wall.
Can I send this to the seller?
Leave the seller prep checklist on and it prints under the shot list. It goes room by room, from the light bulbs to the lawn. Send it two days before the shoot.