During the recent years in Greece, with the rise of the new real estate model of the well known AirBnb rental platform and other competitors, real estate photography has become quite popular.

However, many property owners consider photographing their property an unnecessary expense that can be easily, quickly and simple replaced by capturing a few photos with their mobile phone. Many have commented on it as a new trend or a new fashion within the real estate industry.

But is it really a new fashion? Is it really necessary to have a professional property photographer?

No, real estate photography is nor a fashion nor a trend, not in the traditional way.
My opinion on this is that real estate (property) photography has been around for many many years, known as Architecture photography or House photography, responding to the traditional demands of the relevant markets via magazines and print ads.

Due to the digital explosion though -websites, applications, social media- a new direction was created in the real estate market, which made this area of photography suddenly more popular and possibly renamed it to Real Estate (Property) photography.

So, if anything could be described as a fashion or a trend it is the transformation of how a property owner ends up making a lease or a sale.

The real estate market and its evolution
In the past, in Greece and not only, the leasing or selling of a property was done by promoting the property through an estate agency, from a print ad in the relevant supplement in a newspaper, and of course through friends and acquaintances.

Property viewings were arranged as real visits from the prospects so to evaluate a property closely. It was quite common then that the property was in proper use and there was no need to proceed in further housekeeping.

But all this of course, has taken a different direction. The real estate market has changed a lot during the last decade and especially with the presence of AirBnb in the Greek market. The standards have altered a lot. The real estate market is moving forward and adapting in the digital demands of modern life, if only we can consider that in the US prospects do actually purchase their property only from online viewings.

Hence, it is imperative for a property to be tidy, clean and neat and be photographed by professionals whether it is to be promoted for sale or for rent. The real estate supply in the Greek market is quite large, hence suitors can choose from a wide range of properties.

How can a professional real estate photographer benefit the property promotion?
The photos will be used in order to promote the property digitally. Home owners and real estate agencies will upload photos on the websites, on rental platforms like AirBnb, HomeAway, or make social media posts on Facebook, Twitter, etc. Hence, real estate photography supports the digital promotion of the property, with beautiful images, attracting candidates, local and from abroad.

Let’s not forget, that during the last decade, many Greek citizens have relocated abroad, who are interested in purchasing a property in Greece. So the target audience expands even more, to Greek people who have developed their aesthetics as well as their purchasing criteria, while living abroad.

In other words, professional photos of a property means main content creation for your website and all other digital channels.

So to conclude, real estate photography should be required, if not to say to be demanded, by the landlord or the real estate agency, even if the property is to be promoted on a rental platform.

Why should the property be arranged for a professional property photography session?
The level of property presentation and promotion is constantly increasing, as the prospects are interested in viewing a property in excellent condition, which means to be clean and neat at the highest standards. Having a property tidy, allows the prospect to get a clear picture of how the property looks like in its actual interior design and 'construction'.

It helps the prospect to have a better view of each room so to assess whether there will be a need to interfere with the interior design of the property. Also, when the property is nice and shinny it has a positive emotional appeal to the canditate. No candidate will evaluate a messy place creating confusion and negative feelings. Instead, it is more likely that they will withdraw their interest from the property.

Organising a professional photography of the property indicates that the landlord / property manager have a serious interest and treats the candidate with respect. Buying or renting a property means money investment. A serious prospect will not invest in a place that has poor presentation, as it might be seen as an insult.

Is real estate photography considered something simple to do?
Under no circumstances is it easy to photograph a property.

Some of the main reasons that make a real estate photography special are the following:

• the photography equipment required are of a very high cost. When we mention photography equipment we are referring to the body of the camera, the appropriate lens, up to the computer and the editing program. All of the above are used in order to provide the final result of fully edited professional photography
• in many occasions, it is required by the photographer to become highly involved with the cleanliness and the styling of the interior prior the shooting. This means we have to be on location quite early in the morning in order to prepare the house
• property photography is a time consuming process and in many occasions the photo shooting can take up to 12 hours, separate from the time required to edit the photos

Advice from a real estate photographer

• spend your time constructively and consult a professional photographer to capture your property in a proper and beautiful way, either you are buying or you are selling
• if you have hired a real estate agency to assist you in find a buyer or tenant for your property, do ask them to introduce you to a professional photographer. Spend time with them and ask them to answer all your queries and provide with all the appropriate guidance
• do not rely on the amateur and artistic concerns of a relative/friend/neighbour, even your own, who will photograph with a low-standard camera or a mobile phone. The downside of not using a professional photographer is high, as you will downplay the beautiful result of your work and of course you will most likely push away the good quality of potential clients
• high quality in your photography is mirroring your personality. Choosing a professional photographer will attract you a better quality of candidate buyers and also will give your photos a longer life than the photos coming from an amateur photographer