The Complete Guide to Real Estate Photography: Residential & Commercial
Real estate photography is one of the most important tools for selling homes and showcasing commercial properties in today’s market. Whether you’re a Cleveland realtor, property manager, or business owner, professional photos make listings stand out, attract more buyers, and help close deals faster.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through my complete workflow for real estate photography in Cleveland, covering both residential homes and commercial spaces. From prepping with clients to using HDR bracketing, editing with a clean, minimal look, and even pricing strategies, this guide is built to help you understand how professional property photography works—and why it matters.
👉 Looking for a residential or commercial real estate photographer in Cleveland? Visit my Real Estate Photography Services page.
Step 1: Pre-Shoot Communication
The best real estate shoots start with good communication. For both residential and commercial clients, knowing how to photograph commercial buildings in Cleveland or following simple residential real estate photography staging tips ensures the shoot goes smoothly. Cleveland’s housing market moves fast, so planning ahead ensures nothing is missed.
Questions to ask before the shoot:
What’s the property’s square footage?
Is it occupied or vacant?
What style of editing do you prefer (bright and minimal, or more dramatic)?
When is the listing going live?
Where will the images be used (MLS, brochures, social media, commercial ads)?
👉 For a detailed list, see my Real Estate Client Prep Checklist (coming soon).
Step 2: Staging & Property Prep
Cleveland buyers and renters expect spaces that feel inviting and move-in ready. Staging helps achieve that. Using residential real estate photography staging tips for homes and commercial real estate photography techniques for offices or retail spaces can help achieve that.
Residential staging tips:
Remove clutter and personal items.
Turn on all lights and open blinds.
Style key rooms like kitchens and living rooms to show flow.
Commercial staging tips:
Keep workstations clear.
Make branding consistent across signage and décor.
Highlight open square footage and usable layouts.
👉 For deeper dives, check out:
Residential Real Estate Photography Tips
Commercial Real Estate Photography Tips
Step 3: Gear & Setup
My Go-To Gear for Cleveland Real Estate Shoots
Camera: Canon R6 Mark II
Lens: 24–35mm – Wide enough for interiors without distorting edges.
Tripod: Essential for stability and consistent composition.
Remote trigger: Reduces shake during HDR bracketing.
👉 See my Full Real Estate Gear Checklist (coming soon) for a complete breakdown.
Camera Height & Framing
Residential Homes: Shoot from corners, chest height. This makes rooms appear larger and more inviting.
Commercial Properties: Shoot centered and level, often at eye height. This emphasizes balance and symmetry.
Step 4: Camera Settings & HDR Bracketing
Cleveland homes often feature mixed lighting, natural light from Lake Erie-facing windows, warm bulbs in historic properties, and cooler LEDs in new builds. That’s why I rely on HDR bracketing for consistent results. For those wondering how to shoot HDR real estate photos or seeking recommended camera settings for real estate photography, here’s my approach when doing residential and commercial real estate photography in Cleveland.
Recommended settings:
Aperture: f/8–f/11 for sharpness.
ISO: 100–200 for minimal noise.
Shutter speed: Adjust for bracketed exposures (3–5 frames, spaced 2 stops apart).
Alternatives:
Flash blending: More control, but slower workflow.
In-camera HDR vs. manual post-processing: Both work, it depends on your editing style.
👉 Learn more in my Real Estate Photography Bracketing Settings Guide (coming soon).
Step 5: Shooting Workflow
Here’s how I approach a typical Cleveland real estate shoot, including tips for photography commercial building in Cleveland for office and real estate listings:
Exterior first – Highlight curb appeal and surroundings (important in neighborhoods like Tremont, Ohio City, or Downtown).
Main living spaces – Wide shots from corners, plus a few details.
Bedrooms & bathrooms – Clean, minimal angles.
Commercial layouts – Document flow and functionality with symmetrical compositions.
Key features – Fireplaces, staircases, exposed brick, or lake views.
Consistency matters. Buyers should feel like the photos belong to one cohesive story.
Step 6: Editing Workflow
My editing style for Cleveland real estate is minimal and bright. It keeps listings fresh, modern, and appealing to potential buyers.
HDR merge: Balanced highlights and shadows.
Color correction: Typically “as shot” or auto for consistency.
Straighten verticals: Correct distortion from wide lenses.
Final adjustments: Remove mixed lighting casts, ensure even tones across rooms.
Step 7: Pricing Real Estate Photography in Cleveland
Pricing depends on the property type, location, and deliverables.
Residential homes: Typically priced by square footage.
Commercial properties: May be priced by photo, complexity, time on-site, or licensing usage.
Add-ons: Drone photography, twilight shots, video walkthroughs, or virtual staging.
👉 See my How to Price Real Estate Photography Services (coming soon) for a full breakdown.
Conclusion
Professional real estate photography is one of the most powerful marketing tools for Cleveland properties, whether you’re selling a single-family home in Lakewood or a commercial office in Downtown. With the right prep, gear, and editing, you can capture images that highlight a space’s best features and drive buyer interest.
For more resources, explore these companion guides (coming soon) for more tips, gear lists, and workflow strategies:
Real Estate Client Prep Checklist
Residential Real Estate Photography Tips
Commercial Real Estate Photography Tips
Full Real Estate Gear Checklist
Real Estate Photography Bracketing Settings Guide
How to Price Real Estate Photography Services
And if you’re ready to showcase your property with professional photography, visit my Cleveland Real Estate Photography Services page.
