the

Real Estate
Photographer’s
Handbook
by Gary Kasl

Staging Checklist

- All Lights On/Off

- Adjust Blinds

- Hide Trash Cans

- Align Chairs & Stools

- Fluff Pillows & Chop

Center

- Remove Hand Towels from Appliances

- Remove Throw Rugs from Kitchen & Bathrooms

- Remove Clutter & Day to Day Utensils (i.e. Sponges, Dish Racks,
Toothbrushes, etc.)

- Toilet Seats & Lids Down

- Turn on Fires

- Turn on Fountains & Water Features

* Use this on Each Room if You Need To!

Flowers & Center Piece Placement

- Avoid blocking other items

- Group Smaller Items Into 3’s

- Kitchen Island: Use Shorter Pieces, Avoid Tall Items

- Dining/Coffee Tables: Ok for Taller Pieces

- Don’t Over Do It, Less Is More

Settings

Crop Sensor & Micro 4/3 Full Frame

ISO - 400 ISO - 640

Aperture - f/8 Aperture - f/9-f/11

Shutter - Variable Shutter - Variable

Composition Tips

- Back Away & Zoom In (to avoid perspective distortion)

- Use Rule of Thirds Grid

(Align Points of Interest &
Dominant Lines to Grid Lines &
Intersections)

- Focus ⅓ - ½ Way Through the

Shot (Pick Focal Point)

- Check Vertical & Horizontal

Lines

- Leave Open Paths for Eye to

Travel Through the Image

- Look for Natural Leading Lines

- Camera Height Should be Similar to How the Room is Experienced

in Reality (Standing vs Sitting)
Lighting Tips

- Use a Neutral Bounce Surface

- Start at ⅛ -½ Power and See if You Need to Move Up or Down

- Hold flash away from bounce surface to increase the size of the
spread (Bigger Light Source = Softer Light)

- Try to Mimic Existing Light (Easier to Blend)

- Create Direction with Flash if Natural Light is Flat

- Keep foreground slightly darker and the background brighter to pull

the viewer’s eye through the image

- Light Should Get Brighter as You Move Away From the Camera

- Pay Attention to Reflections & Flash Shadows

- Direct the Viewer’s Attention with Light

Shot List Strategy

Exterior:
Front - 2 Establishing Wide Angles Back - 2-4 Corner to Corner Wides
(1Point & 2Point)
1-2 Details (Optional)
1 Front Porch/Entry

1-2 View (Optional)

Interior:

Entry: 1

Living/Family/Dining Room: 1-2 (Overview and Conjoining)

Kitchen: 1-4 (Mix 1&2 Point/Details)

Staircase: 1-2

Master Bed: 2-3 (Don’t forget Balcony)

Master Bath: 1-2

Secondary Beds: 1-2

Secondary Baths: 0-1 (Optional)

Loft: 1-2

Laundry: 0-1 (Optional)

Garage: 0-2 (Optional)

Details: Optional

What is this Book For?

I wanted to compile a short, concise book of

tips for dealing with everyday questions while
on a shoot. This book is probably best suited
for beginner to mid level shooters, but could
also help to answer some questions a more
experienced photographer may have. Either
way, I hope it’s helpful to someone! Cheers!

-Gary Kasl

Table of Contents

1. Staging Tips

2. Flowers & Center Piece Placement

3. Settings

4. Composition Tips

5. Lighting Tips

6. Shot List Strategy

Helpful Links

Gary Kasl - www.SandKasl.com

Photography for Real Estate Blog - photographyforrealestate.net

Real Estate Photography - Facebook Group