A Fascinating History of Photography in Real Estate: From Film to Digital
About the Author: Nicole Schnell
Have you ever thought about how real estate photography first developed (pun intended)? When you look at the history of photography, where it started and where it is now, it’s made incredible strides! Not only have the photos themselves improved drastically, but their impact on the marketability of real estate properties has skyrocketed, too. We thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and explore how we got where we are today. Join us!
The Beginning: Classic Black & White Film
The history of photography dates back to the early 19th century, with Joseph Nicéphore Niépce’s “View From the Window at Le Gras.” Early photos were captured by the point-and-shoot method and came out grainy in black-and-white. The equipment was expensive and large and a hassle to cart around from property to property. Listings would typically include only a single image of the front of a property accompanied by a short description and marketed in the local newspaper.
The Early Days: Portability & Accessibility Grows
By the mid-20th century, cameras were more portable and user-friendly, making real estate photography more accessible. However, film cameras required waiting for photos to be developed and transferred to print media, limiting flexibility. Polaroid cameras cut down on developing time at the cost of quality. Around this time, color photography emerged, adding a new, vivid (at the time) dimension and connecting with buyers more emotionally.
The Modern Days: The Rise of Digital
The 1990s saw the rise of digital cameras, which nearly replaced film by the early-to-mid 2000s. This eliminated the wait for development and enabled images to be downloaded directly onto computers, lowering the cost, too. Combined with the growth of the internet, digital photography brought online property listings, extending marketing reach to a wider audience. Initially, online listings typically featured just one image, but this soon expanded to include a small gallery.
The Present: A Thriving Digital Age
Today’s standard is high-quality, color images distributed online and in print marketing materials. It’s much easier to make manual or automatic adjustments to lighting, shutter speed, composition, and more. And can you imagine what early-day photographers would think of drones? Today, we can capture stunning aerial views through drone photography and videography. You can also explore properties virtually through video and 3D Matterport tours.
The Future: What’s Next?
The future of real estate photography promises even more innovative ways to showcase properties and enhance the buying or renting experience. Virtual reality (VR) technology can create hyper-realistic experiences and will soon allow viewers to virtually “walk through” a property. Further, augmented reality (AR) could enable potential buyers to virtually place furniture or décor in a property to envision their ideal living space. While these technologies exist today, they’re not yet affordable enough to be widespread in the real estate industry.
The Enduring Importance of Quality Photos
Despite the rise of new technologies, high-quality photographs remain a cornerstone of successful real estate marketing. Professional photography best captures the essence of a property, highlighting its strengths and creating an emotional connection with potential buyers and renters. The technology serves as an enhancement to the photography to expand or narrow the intended target market.
Looking at the history of photography in real estate can help give us an idea of how the industry’s future will play out. From film’s limitations to the boundless possibilities of the digital age, real estate photography has come a long way. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more groundbreaking innovation in the way we showcase properties. It’s important for real estate photographers, agents, property managers, and investors to keep up with it as it grows.
At Square Foot Photography, we’re committed to leveraging the latest technology to deliver the best possible results for our clients. Reach out today by phone or email to find out how our expertise can help you elevate your real estate marketing! Or, go ahead and schedule a shoot if you’re ready to get started.
