Listing photos from the ground and the air
Interiors, exteriors and drone aerials shot in one visit, edited to look like the home on a good day, and delivered sized for the MLS, the web and print.
The first photo does the work of the first showing
Most buyers see the photos before they see anything else. They decide in a few seconds whether to open the listing, and they decide from the first image. That image is usually the front of the house or an aerial, and it has one job: make the right buyer stop.
Ground photography shows the rooms, the finishes and the light. Aerial photography shows what the ground cannot: the size and shape of the lot, the distance to the water or the park, the roof, the driveway, and how the house sits among its neighbours. For acreages, waterfront, view lots and anything with land, the aerial is often the most useful image in the set. For a downtown condo it may add nothing; a 3D tour or floor plan will do more.
What happens on a listing shoot
Check the address
Before the shoot is confirmed, the pilot checks airspace, nearby aerodromes and heliports, and whether the property is in controlled airspace. In Canada that can mean an authorization request through NAV CANADA; in the United States, usually LAANC.
Pick the time
The front elevation should be lit by the sun, not backlit. The photographer looks at which way the house faces and books a morning or afternoon slot to match. Interiors are less sensitive to time but better without direct sun streaking across the floor.
Shoot the interiors
Each room is shot from a corner or doorway at around chest height, with verticals kept straight. Several exposures are blended so that the windows show the view and the room is not dark. Lenses are wide enough to show the room but not so wide that a bedroom looks like a gym.
Shoot the exteriors
Front, back, yard, deck, garden and any outbuildings, from the ground and from a pole or low drone height where that gives a cleaner angle.
Fly the aerials
A set of positions around the property at a few heights: low obliques that show the house, higher views that show the lot and the neighbourhood, and a top-down view if the lot shape matters. The pilot keeps clear of people who are not part of the shoot.
Edit and deliver
Colour, exposure and straight lines are corrected. Lot lines or labels can be added to aerials if you supply the information. Files go to the project for your selection and approval.
How to prepare the home
- Move cars off the driveway and away from the front of the house.
- Open blinds evenly, turn on every light, and replace dead bulbs.
- Clear counters, fridge fronts, bathroom surfaces and the tops of dressers.
- Put away bins, hoses, toys and pet items outside. Mow the lawn a day or two before.
- Tell us about anything that must not appear: security systems, family photos, valuables, a neighbour who has asked not to be filmed.
- Let the neighbours know a drone will be up for a few minutes. It prevents most complaints before they start.
Common problems and how to avoid them
Over-edited photos
Sky replacements, green lawns painted on in winter and removed power lines can amount to misrepresentation. Regulators and boards treat misleading listing content seriously, and buyers notice when they visit.
Aerials that show nothing useful
A drone shot from 100 metres up where the house is a grey rectangle does not help anyone.
The drone could not fly on the day
Wind, rain or an airspace restriction grounded the flight and the listing went live without aerials.
Wrong photos uploaded
The assistant grabs the unedited set or the wrong resolution from a download folder.
Who is involved
Listing agent
- They need from you
- A shot list that matches how they will market the home, and files on time.
- You need from them
- Must-have shots, features to highlight, and the deadline.
- On the DroneLink record
- The shot list lives on the order, and approvals happen in the project.
Homeowner
- They need from you
- Clear prep instructions and a firm time.
- You need from them
- A ready house and an answer about anything off limits.
- On the DroneLink record
- The prep list goes to the owner with the booking.
Stager
- They need from you
- To finish before the photographer arrives.
- You need from them
- A staged home, not a half-staged one.
- On the DroneLink record
- Book after staging is done. See listing packages.
Strata
- They need from you
- Notice before flying over common property.
- You need from them
- Permission for roof or amenity access.
- On the DroneLink record
- Approvals are stored with the project.
Drone rules and who owns the photos
In Canada the pilot must hold a Transport Canada certificate and fly a registered drone for any aircraft between 250 grams and 25 kilograms. Basic certificate holders must stay at least 30 metres horizontally from people who are not involved and must stay out of controlled airspace. Many listings are close enough to neighbours, roads or airports that an Advanced certificate is the practical requirement. In the United States, paid drone photography is covered by FAA Part 107. Rules change, so check the current version: see drone rules in Canada and in the United States.
Photographers usually keep copyright and grant the agent a licence to market the listing. That licence may not cover the next agent, the builder's website or the seller's personal use. Ask before you reuse images, and say at the time of ordering if you need broader rights.
Questions
How many photos should a real estate listing have?
Enough to show every main room, the exterior and the key features once, without repeats. Many MLS systems cap the number of photos, so check your board's limit. A full set for a detached house often runs to a few dozen images.
Are drone photos worth it for a real estate listing?
For homes with land, water, views or a notable location, yes, because aerials show things ground photos cannot. For an interior condo with no view they rarely add much. Choose based on what the buyer needs to understand.
Can I use drone photos in my listing if the pilot is not certified?
In Canada and the United States, a pilot flying a drone of 250 grams or more for this work needs the right certificate. Using an uncertified pilot exposes you and the seller to liability and the images to challenge. Ask for the pilot certificate and proof of insurance.
What time of day is best for real estate photos?
When the sun lights the front of the house. For a house facing east that is morning; facing west, afternoon. North-facing homes are often best on a bright overcast day or at twilight.
Can real estate photos be edited?
Correcting exposure, colour and straight lines is normal. Changing what the property is, such as removing a power line or hiding damage, can mislead buyers and break your board's or regulator's rules. Label virtually staged images as such.
Who owns real estate listing photos?
Usually the photographer owns the copyright and licenses the images for marketing that listing. Other uses, such as a future sale or a builder's portfolio, may need permission. Check the terms when you order.
How long does it take to get listing photos back?
It depends on the size of the set, the editing required and whether twilight or a 3D tour is included. Agree the delivery date when you book.
Tell us about your Vancouver site.
An address and what you need is enough to start. We reply with the price, who will fly it and when.