· 2 min read
How Many Listing Photos Do You Need? A Shot List That Sells
Buyers decide in seconds whether a listing is worth a closer look, and they decide from the photos. Too few and the home feels like it's hiding something. Too many and the best rooms get lost in a scroll of hallways and closets.
The short answer
For most apartments, 20 to 30 photos tell the whole story. Larger homes usually need 40 to 50 to cover every level, the outdoor space and the neighborhood features buyers ask about.
The number matters less than the order. Your first five photos do most of the work, so plan those before anything else.
The first five photos
- The hero shot. The single image that sells the lifestyle: the living room with the best light, the view, or the front of the house. This becomes your thumbnail on every portal, so choose it on purpose.
- The main living space, shot from the corner that shows how the rooms connect.
- The kitchen, wide enough to show the layout, with clear counters.
- The primary bedroom, with the bed made and the windows in frame.
- The standout feature. A terrace, a skyline view, a pool, a renovated bath. Whatever you'd mention first on a showing.
Rounding out the set
After the first five, walk the home in the order a buyer would:
- Every bedroom and bathroom, one strong angle each
- Dining area and any home office or flex space
- Outdoor space: balconies, yards, roof decks, pools
- Building amenities for apartments: lobby, gym, roof, laundry
- One or two exterior shots that show the street
Skip the near-duplicates. Two angles of the same bedroom rarely help, and five photos of one bathroom start to look like padding.
When photos aren't enough
Some homes need more than stills to make sense. A floor plan answers the "how does it flow" question before a buyer has to ask. Video and drone work help when the setting is the selling point.
We covered when each one is worth it in last week's post on add-ons.
Book the shoot
Edited Dooorbell photos arrive in as little as 18 hours, with most orders delivered within 24. Photography starts at $199. See pricing or book a shoot.
