How to Shoot Real Estate Videos - Everything You NEED To Get Started!

Introduction

Creating engaging real estate videos is an effective way to market properties and attract potential buyers. This guide will walk you through the essentials of real estate videography, including gear, shooting techniques, camera settings, and editing tips to ensure your videos stand out and serve their intended purpose: selling homes.

Understanding Your Purpose

Before diving into the technical aspects, it's crucial to understand the purpose behind your video: to create compelling marketing material for the realtor. Focus on showcasing the home effectively, rather than getting distracted by cool shots or transitions. The ultimate goal is to highlight the property's features in a way that captivates potential buyers.

Essential Gear for Real Estate Videography

You'll need three key pieces of equipment to create high-quality real estate videos:

Interchangeable Camera: Select a camera that allows you to change lenses, has excellent low-light performance, and can shoot at least 1080p video. A good option is the Canon R6, known for its superb low-light capabilities.
Wide-Angle Lens: A wide-angle lens is critical for capturing the entire room in a single shot and giving viewers the best perspective. A 16-35mm lens (f/4 or faster) is recommended for real estate videography.
Gimbal: A gimbal stabilizes your camera, ensuring smooth and professional-looking shots while moving through the property. The DJI Ronin-S is a solid choice that effectively delivers smooth footage.

Additionally, consider investing in a prime lens for detail shots, a drone for aerial perspectives, and a polarizer to enhance the image quality by reducing glare and boosting colors.

Types of Shots to Capture

When creating your shots, simplicity and consistency are key. Stick to three basic movements:

Dolly Shots: Move left to right or in a straight line to create a smooth transition.
Parallax Shots: Combine dolly movements for a walk-in perspective that provides depth.
Detail Shots: Highlight unique features of the home using a tighter lens.

Limit each room to 2-4 well-framed shots and ensure that less important spaces get just one or two shots. Keeping your shots consistent will lead to a smoother and more professional-looking edit.

Camera Settings

To achieve the best results, familiarize yourself with manual camera settings rather than relying on automatic modes.

Shooting in Log: If your camera supports it, shoot in a log profile for better dynamic range in your highlights and shadows.
Custom White Balance: Always set a custom white balance to avoid unwanted shifts in color shades as you move from room to room.
Frame Rates: Capture interiors at 30 frames per second and details at 60 frames per second. This approach allows for flexibility during editing, as you can slow down clips where necessary.

Maintain a low ISO based on your camera's capabilities and adhere to the shutter speed being double your frame rate for optimal smoothness.

Preparing for the Shoot

Creating a shot list before you arrive at the property helps avoid overshooting or undershooting. Communicate with the realtor to determine the most important features to highlight. This preparation will streamline your process and ensure that you don't miss key details.

Finally, visualize the final edit while shooting. This tip will assist in organizing your shots logically, making the editing process seamless.

Conclusion

By following these guidelines, you can effectively produce high-quality real estate videos. With consistent practice, you can build a solid reputation within the industry, leading to a steady stream of work and valuable connections. Start your journey in real estate videography today!

Keywords

real estate videos, videography, camera gear, wide-angle lens, gimbal, camera settings, shot list, video editing.

FAQ

What equipment do I need to shoot real estate videos?
You need an interchangeable camera, wide-angle lens, and a gimbal for smooth shots.

Why is low-light performance important in real estate videography?
Many homes have fluctuating light and can often be dark, so a camera with good low-light capabilities ensures clean and clear video.

What type of shots should I focus on?
Keep it simple with dolly shots, parallax shots, and detail shots. Stick to 2-4 shots for key rooms and 1-2 for less important spaces.

How do I set my camera for real estate videos?
Shoot in log if possible, use a custom white balance, and consider your frame rates to match your editing timeline.

Should I have a shot list?
Yes, a shot list helps you organize your shoot and ensures you capture all necessary details without missing important features.