If you're looking to sell your home, you'll likely need professional photographs of your property to showcase its best features (to read about why it's beneficial to do this click here!) While getting professional photography can help your home stand out to potential buyers, it's essential to be aware of the potential privacy risks that come with sharing images of your home online. Marketing your home online is a crucial part of the selling process these days and as a photographer, it's my responsibility to ensure that my clients' privacy is protected when sharing photos of their homes online. So, here are some top tips from your friendly neighbourhood photographer to give you that extra peace of mind!
1. Discuss Privacy Concerns with Your Photographer
If you're concerned about privacy, make sure to have an open discussion with your photographer about your privacy concerns before the shoot. Make sure they understand that you want to protect your privacy and that you don't want any sensitive information about your home shared online. Your photographer should be able to provide you with advice for how they and you can protect your privacy during the shoot and when sharing images online.
2. Avoid Personal Items in Photos
To protect your privacy, avoid having any personal items in the photos (depersonalising is essential when preparing your home for a photoshoot). This includes anything that could reveal personal information about you or your family, such as family photos, medication, or prescriptions, stencilled names, certificates, bills, and sensitive information on a computer screen. Make sure to remove any valuables, such as jewellery or expensive electronics, from the photos as well. Moving your car away from the front of the house, where possible, is also a good idea. If you are unable to move it, read the next point.
3. Ask Your Photographer to Blur Identifying Information
To further protect your privacy, your photographer may be able to remove/blur identifying features of your home such as children's names, personal photographs that can't be moved, house number/name and car number plates. This will make it harder for anyone to identify you or your home. The general rule is if you can move it, it should be moved, if you can't, editing via blurring or removing is the next best thing!
4. Be Mindful of Social Media Sharing
When sharing photos of your home online, be mindful of the privacy settings on your social media accounts. Make sure to only share photos with people you trust and set your social media accounts to private if possible. Limiting the amount of personal information you share on social media, such as your address or phone number, is also a good idea.
All in all, it's important to work with an estate agent you trust and know that marketing your home online is an essential and generally safe part of the process. If you have any concerns particular to your circumstance, it's best to raise these with your agent and work together to find a comfortable process and take it from there. Happy selling!
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