I know what you're thinking: "We don't need to hire a professional because we have smartphones with great cameras. We can just shoot the properties ourselves". While it is true that smartphone cameras today are increasingly high standard, they don't beat a professional-grade kit in the hands of an expert. You may even have a top-of-the-line DSLR with all the bells and whistles but a great camera doesn't equal great photographs. Using the expertise and experience of a photographer can be hugely beneficial in an ever-changing property market. Quality photographs can result in faster sales and increased revenue which means a happy agent and an even happier client. Win-win!

1. Make the best possible first impression

You have 2.7 seconds to grab the attention of a potential client online. Professional photographs can be just the ticket to inspire intrigue in a potential buyer. Photographers have in depth knowledge of how to use space and light to their advantage to make homes appear bright, open, and inviting. They have an arsenal of tips and tricks to make the best of whatever property they are in. This includes:

• the best angles and composition to indicate size

• best angle to highlight property features

• manipulating depth perception and perspective to help orient viewers

• how to balance out natural and artificial light

• how to shoot awkward shaped rooms (I have climbed into bathtubs more than once...)

• experience troubleshooting every lighting scenario you can imagine (hello British weather)

• how to shoot in all seasons, whether the sun is low or high in the sky

The list goes on.

2. Help your listings get more traffic

How often have you browsed property listings and immediately discarded those with poor quality images, or even worse, no images at all? Don't fall at the first hurdle. More traffic means more viewings, and more viewings means more sales. Emotions play a pivotal role in a potential buyer's decision. Looking at the images, they need to be able to envision how their life would look in their new home. Photographers understand buyers and are masters at selling not just a house but a lifestyle. Photographers know photography but you know property. Once they're in the property, then it's your time to shine!

3. Edge out the competition

A buyer wants an agent they can trust, who will take care of their home and get them the best possible price. Show them why they should choose you. Show them the care and attention you will give their property. Show them "exceptional", not "good enough". The first step in doing this is to showcase their property in the best possible light. Once the shoot is complete, the photographers job is only half done. Editing is a crucial part of the process and can take property photos from good to exceptional. The aim with editing is not to deceive, only to enhance what is already there. Lifting shadows, brightening areas, removing unsightly wires, blurring personal photographs, straightening edges, and colour correcting are all essential steps in the editing process. This attention to detail will deliver a polished gallery which will set your listing apart from the rabble.

4. Make your brand stand out online

The property market is saturated with agents. Using a professional photographer will create a look of consistency across your listings and help you establish a recognizable brand identity. Now we both know you're the best in the biz and you know what you're doing. So, let the world see that! Putting out consistently high quality listings will inspire confidence in current and potential clients leading to higher client satisfaction, more instructions and more sales.

5. Use photographs across social marketing channels

Visual marketing doesn't stop at the listing. Be creative and diversify your marketing avenues. Having exceptionally high quality images means they can be used across other platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest. On Instagram alone you can create multiple pieces of content to market a property such as grid posts, stories, highlights and reels to boost the number of eyes on and interest in your listings.