5 Must Have Themes for Your Realtor Branding Photo Shoot

So, it’s time to take some realtor branding photos.

Gone are the Sears photos days with families in colour themed clothes (I won’t post our family photos with our burgundy turtlenecks), or the simple head shot. Your social media represents your brand; not only who you are, but who you want to be perceived as.

When planning your shoot, you should keep in mind how your photos will be used.

Will they be used for your:

• Website
• Print materials such as Seller’s, Buyer’s and CMA Guides
• Blog posts
• Social media
• Newsletter
• Other promotional content and brand collateral such as business cards or flyers.

Consider this as you compile your shoot list.

For instance, you may want a clean headshot for a marketing piece such as introductory mailer, or a shot of you taking a run in an iconic park for your social media.

Finding a balance between authentic and aspirational can be difficult. To strike the right note, we’d recommend starting the shoot in clothing that not only ‘feels’ like you, but that you also feel amazing in. Maybe something you wear all the time but that you can always rely on to feel confident in – then break out the new items once you’re feeling more comfortable.

Choose hair and makeup styles (if this applies to you) that are not too different from how you normally present yourself. You want to look like you, but on a day you’re a little more put together.

Choosing the right photographer can be tough; we recommend asking around and looking on Instagram at collogues’ pictures. If they haven’t tagged the photographer, shoot them a DM. But also ask yourself, what did you like about the photos? Is it the lighting, the locations, the relaxed, or business vibe?  Make notes for your shoot.

If you want to do a combo between a professional and having a friend take some shots, that’s fine too! Just make sure you choose a consistent filter in Lightroom or Instagram so that the photos feel cohesive.

Now, the real question is, what to shoot?

A great photographer should help you with locations, and with how to pose. But as is the case with most things in life, preparation breeds confidence.  

Here is a list of our top 5 must have themes for a Realtor Branding Shoot.

1. The Office Shoot:

It’s probably obvious but trust us that having a list of some specific images to capture in the office will save time and money. Give your colleagues a heads up that you’ll be taking some photos and enlist help.

Our favourite shots include:

• Staff interactions like a business meeting
• Sitting at your desk; on the phone, using the computer, on a zoom call, smiling confidently with a cup of coffee, looking out the window thinking, paging through a document
• Coffee with colleagues
• Making a presentation

This is about presenting yourself as a professional, and someone who is part of a successful office environment.

2. Client Interactions:

Here is where you may want to enlist some friends or colleagues to help- preferably someone you won’t feel shy around. This would take place at a few different locations, but the theme will be working with clients.

Some set up ideas include:

• Setting out an open house sign
• At a desk meeting a client
• Shaking hands over a desk
• In front of a house showing the exterior to a client

For any of these shoots, if you don’t have a picture-perfect home, think about using a listing (with permission of course), an Airbnb, or a friend’s house. 

3. In a Home:

This can be coupled with the client interaction piece. These photos can be used for all sorts of things including Sunday post about drinking coffee, or posts about what to expect when selling or buying a home; they’re super versatile.

We suggest:

• Inside and outside the front door – i.e., going in the house, or having just arrived
• In the kitchen drinking a coffee
• Working in the living room or kitchen with a laptop
• Greeting a client at the door, or in the living room

These are important because it shows a familiarity with what you sell- homes! Seeing you in this environment will create confidence in current and potential clients.

4. City Shoot

 You love your city and know all the best spots; take some photos around the town. Afterall, you’re a selling the dream of living in a particular neighbourhood or city. 

We’d recommend:

• Walking down a picturesque street: Where we live in Victoria, BC, we have spectacular cherry blossoms every year, so a great shot would be down a blossom lined street. It's quintessential Victoria. What would capture the essence of your town?
• Great Architecture: if not great, is there a building that is iconic in style or function? City hall? A great new build? A lovely home of a style particular to the area?
• Coffee shop: ho doesn’t love a quaint coffee shop. Take a photo of you sitting inside or outside, with a friend or on a computer is fine. Smiling with a coffee, opening the door, walking down the street with your coffee, etc.
• Popular mural or local art; Some towns have great street art. Stand in front for a headshot, walk by, etc.

Show potential clients that you’re a local with some great photos that remind people why they want to live there.

5. Neighbourhood:

Do you specialize in a specific neighbourhood? If you were going to tell us about it, what would you highlight? A great park? Seawall? Local mountain? A farmer’s market? If changing locations doesn’t seem feasible, no problem. Try to work with what’s around the office, or a home you’ve chosen for your client interactions shoot. A corner store, library, Rec centre.. whatever it is, just highlight your familiarity with the neighbourhood.

We recommend: 

• You in front of a home that reflects your speciality
• A building with great architecture
• You at the dog park (if you have a dog!)
• Going for a run or doing another activity you enjoy

This is a great opportunity to highlight some of your interests and give people a sense of who you are, when you're not working.

You could also consider pictures with your family in these contexts, but that's a totally personal decision and certainly not necessary if it makes you uncomfortable.

So there you have it, our 5 recommended themes for your branding photo shoot.  

We strongly suggest that you get organized with a list of your shoot ideas. Make a spreadsheet with each shoot and organize it by location. Time is money, and having things dialled in will save you both!

XO Create Digital