Rightmove has published data on this a few times over the years and the findings barely change. Listings with professional photography attract more views, generate more enquiries, and tend to sell or let faster than the ones without. That won’t shock anyone in property. But it’s worth understanding why, because it’s not simply that professional photos look nicer.
I’m Dominic, a property photographer based in Nottingham, working with estate agents, landlords, and developers across Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester. Here’s what I’ve come to understand about what good photography actually does for a listing.
Why do property photos matter so much?
The way people search for property has changed completely. Most buyers and tenants now start online, usually on a phone, scrolling through dozens of listings in one sitting. First impressions don’t come from a viewing anymore, or a conversation with an agent. They come from a thumbnail.
In that world, a dark kitchen or a badly framed bedroom isn’t just unflattering, it actively filters people out before they’ve read a word of the description. The property might be brilliant. The photos mean nobody will ever find that out.
Professional photography doesn’t make a poor property look good. What it does is make a good property look as good as it genuinely is, which is a more important distinction than it sounds.
What does a property photography shoot involve?
I work through the property room by room, finding the best angle for each space, adjusting the light, taking multiple frames to make sure I’ve got it right. Wide-angle lenses help rooms feel more spacious, but they need using carefully. Too much distortion is obvious to buyers straight away and can feel misleading, so I try to strike a balance between openness and accuracy.
Every image gets edited afterwards for brightness, colour, and consistency across the set. You’ll get files ready to upload straight to Rightmove, Zoopla, or your own website at the right resolution.
A standard residential shoot usually takes one to two hours depending on the size of the property. I also work with estate agents on a rolling basis, covering multiple listings each month, and I’m happy to discuss volume arrangements if that’s useful. See examples here
How should a property be prepared for a shoot?
Preparation genuinely makes a bigger difference than most sellers or landlords expect. A few things that consistently improve results:
Clear the visible surfaces. Kitchen counters, bathroom shelves, windowsills. Move personal items out of shot where you can.
Let in as much light as possible. Open every curtain, switch on every light, and replace any blown bulbs before I arrive.
Make the beds properly, plump the cushions, straighten the chairs. Small things, but they show up clearly on camera.
For exterior shots, clear the driveway and get any bins out of frame.
It doesn’t need to be a show home. Just tidy and presented with a bit of care. I’ll always do a quick walk-through at the start and flag anything worth adjusting before we get going properly.
Do you cover Airbnb photography too?
Yes. I photograph short-let properties across Nottingham, Derby, and Leicester. There’s overlap with standard property photography, but the goals are a bit different.
If you’d like professional property photography in Nottingham, get in touch on 07884 488692 or via the enquiry form on this site.
