Cheat Sheets
Real Estate Photography Cheat Sheet
Camera settings, shot priorities, and golden rules for shooting real estate interiors and exteriors.
1
Camera Settings
Mode
Aperture Priority (A)
Or full manual once comfortable
Aperture
f/8 – f/11
Keeps whole room in focus, front to back
ISO
100 (base)
Use tripod to avoid raising ISO indoors
White Balance
Custom / Kelvin
Auto WB shifts between rooms, stay consistent
Shooting Mode
RAW + Bracketing
3-5 shot exposure bracket per angle for HDR blend
Focus
Manual / Single-shot AF
Focus 1/3 into the room, tripod locked
2
Golden Rules
Turn on every light
Every lamp, every fixture, even ones you'd never use. Warm and inviting beats accurate.
Shoot from corners
Standing in a room corner captures the most space and makes rooms look bigger.
Keep verticals straight
Wide lenses distort walls. Use a level or fix perspective in Lightroom after.
Hide the clutter
Trash cans, cords, remotes, pet bowls — move them out of frame before you shoot.
Shoot tripod-locked HDR
Bracket 3-5 exposures per shot so windows aren't blown out white.
Toilet lids down, closets shut
Small details agents will absolutely notice if you miss them.
3
Best Time of Day
🌅
Morning
Soft even light. Good default for interiors.
☀️
Midday
Avoid if possible — harsh shadows outdoors.
🌆
Golden Hour
Best for exterior front shot. Warm, flattering light.
🌃
Twilight
Premium shot. Interior lights glow, sky still has color. Charge extra for this.
4
Shot Priority List
MustExterior front — straight on, whole house in frame, clean lawn/driveway
MustLiving room — wide, corner angle, all lights on
MustKitchen — wide angle showing counters, island, appliances
MustPrimary bedroom — wide, bed centered, natural light if possible
MustAll bathrooms — lid down, clean mirror, straight-on angle
ShouldSecondary bedrooms — wide angle, staged if possible
ShouldDining room — wide, table centered
ShouldBackyard / patio — show usable outdoor space
ShouldHallways / entryway — establishes flow between rooms
BonusDetail shots — fireplace, built-ins, unique architectural features
BonusTwilight exterior — shoot last, right after sunset, interior lights on
BonusGarage / basement — only if finished or a genuine selling point