Staging Diva´s Top Photography Tips for Home Stagers: Part 2

For a home stager, one of the best ways to convince a homeowner to employ your services is through your home staging portfolio. When one of your prospects is looking at your portfolio, they have very high expectations and your photographs are going to be examined very closely.

In part one of this article series of photography tips for home stagers, it was recommended that you get to know your camera and experiment with setting up shots under different conditions. Some digital camera basics were also shared.

When you apply these remaining tips, the result will be better photos for your home staging portfolio:

Be obsessive in your attention to detail. As a stager, you're probably naturally focused on the details, but each shot that is going in your portfolio must be perfect. Don´t let any visual distractions clutter your image. Straighten art and lampshades and turn off the television. If you´ve staged a bathroom beautifully but the client won´t let you move their toothbrushes from the counter, remove them for your shot and then put them back. Or, if you recommend all shoes and coats be removed from the entry way, but the client won´t have it, get them out of the way before you take your picture and then replace them.

Clients don't always follow a stager's advice to remove their "tchotchkes". But when it's time for your after shots, take those "priceless collections" off of the kitchen counters or cupboards and the fireplace mantel before you shoot. In the bathroom, don´t take a picture of the open toilet and in the bedroom make sure dust ruffle meets, and runs parallel with, the floor. These unattended to small details will reflect poorly on your staging abilities so don´t overlook them.

Find a strong staging story. If you´re shooting before and after photos consider which ones will make the best staging story. Have you added some colorful accessories, a piece of art and a paint color that ties a room together beautifully? Be sure that´s demonstrated in your photos and use this type of shot in your marketing. You want to have a story for your captions. If you´ve de-cluttered a room but all that´s in it is a bed and a lamp for the after shot, this doesn´t belong in your portfolio. In a kitchen, if the only change is that you took the clutter off the counter tops and turned the lights on, this doesn't belong in a portfolio either because it doesn't sell your abilities. You want to dazzle people, so go for strong shots that will do this for you when you´re not there to explain what you did in each room! Remember too that a transformation that is dramatic in person may be less so in your photographs. So you really need to analyze your shots to ensure they're as strong as they should be.

The act of staging alone will improve the look of a home, and will provide decent before and after shots. But paying special attention to the tips above will help to ensure you´re putting your best foot forward with your portfolio.

For even more tips on developing a winning home staging portfolio, check out the Staging Diva Ultimate Portfolio Guide.