Article 5 · 8 min read
Photos & listing description
The 10-shot list and a listing-writing formula.
Ten specific shots, natural light, hero shot first. Write the description to a human, not an algorithm.
01The 10-shot list
1. Front exterior (hero). 2. Living room (widest angle). 3. Kitchen (with island or key feature centered). 4. Primary bedroom. 5. Primary bath. 6. Backyard/deck. 7. One "lifestyle" shot (warm coffee on island). 8. Floor plan. 9. Twilight shot if home has curb appeal. 10. Aerial (drone) if you have more than a quarter acre.
02Shoot at golden hour
An hour after sunrise or an hour before sunset. Turn on every interior light — warm tungsten reads cozy, not dingy. Shoot from corners to make rooms look bigger.
03Write the description in 4 paragraphs
Para 1 — opening line that paints a scene (morning coffee, afternoon light). Para 2 — what's special about this home (the three features comps don't have). Para 3 — location story (walk to, bike to, minutes from). Para 4 — practical specs and how to tour.
Avoid: 'cozy' (small), 'unique' (weird), 'must see' (desperate). Use: specific measurements, specific names of things.
Checklist
- Booked a real estate photographer (not a portrait one)
- Staged one clean coffee/wine setup for lifestyle shot
- Wrote 4-paragraph listing, edited for specificity
- Uploaded to Zillow FSBO + Facebook Marketplace
Want help applying this to your house?
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