Planning your photos
House Photo Shot List: Which Photos to Take
A shot list keeps you from missing a room or a good angle. Walk the house once with a plan, then shoot. The goal is enough photos to show the whole home without overwhelming anyone. For an average size home, aim for roughly 25 to 35 photos in total.
Inside the house
- Front entry: 1 shot.
- Living room: 3 to 4 shots from different angles.
- Kitchen: 3 to 4 shots, including a straight on shot and an angled shot that shows counters and appliances.
- Dining room: 1 to 2 shots.
- Primary bedroom: 2 shots.
- Primary bathroom: 2 shots.
- Additional bedrooms and bathrooms: 1 to 2 shots each.
- Standout rooms: a home office, bonus room, or finished basement gets 1 to 2 shots.
Outside the house
- A straight on front shot, taken as far back as possible without including the street.
- One or two angled front shots that still show the whole house.
- A closer shot of the front walkway or entry landscaping.
- The backyard facing the house: 2 shots.
- The back porch or patio: 1 to 2 shots.
- Any other view from the yard that shows a feature, such as a pool, a view, or mature trees.
A simple path through the house
Shoot the inside before the outside, and move room to room in one continuous loop instead of backtracking. This keeps you organized and makes it easier to judge which angles look best as you go.
Angles that work in most rooms
- Corner shot. Stand in one corner and angle into the room so three walls show.
- Straight on shot. Face one wall and keep the floor and ceiling lines level.
- Wide shot. Stand back far enough to show the whole room, not a cropped slice.
Hold your phone just above waist height for most rooms. In kitchens and bathrooms, hold it about 12 inches above the counter. Keep walls running straight up and down using your grid lines. The full set of habits is in how to take pictures of a house.
Get Your Free Guide
The full 36 page For Sale By Owner Photo and Online Listing Guide is free when you register.
Overshoot, do not undershoot
Take two or three versions of your favorite angles from a couple of steps in each direction, then pick the best one when you review. It is much easier to delete extras than to find out later that a room or angle is missing.
Before you start
- Turn on every light and open all blinds, even during the day.
- Turn off ceiling fans.
- Put away pets, litter boxes, toys, and food or water bowls.
- Make every bed you plan to photograph.
- Move cars out of the driveway and away from the front of the house.
Use the house photo checklist to get each room ready first.
Get the full shot list
The shot list is part of the 36 page For Sale By Owner Photo and Online Listing Guide, with the walkthrough path and photo day tips. The guide is free when you register. Sign up and download it right away.
Questions and answers
How many photos should I take of my house?
Aim for roughly 25 to 35 photos for an average size home, then keep your best two or three angles per room.
Which rooms should I photograph?
The entry, living room, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, bathrooms, any standout room, and the front, back, and outdoor features.
What order should I shoot in?
Shoot the inside first in one continuous loop, then the outside.
How many photos of each room?
Living room and kitchen 3 to 4 shots each, dining room 1 to 2, primary bedroom and bathroom 2 each, and other bedrooms and bathrooms 1 to 2 each.