By Jessica Pack
At Sanctuary Staging, another element to our service is professional photographs of a styled home. Images that are ready for use in an MLS listing are part of our process. Photographers come in shortly after we complete the stage and set up tripods and capture crisp beautiful pictures of the home-inside and out.
When we wrap up our portion of a stage, we take shots with our phones for a few reasons. Interestingly, pictures often can show things we don’t “see” with our eyes. We admit it… busted!… we are human too. So, the simple step of taking a picture helps to insure the final product WILL be everything our customer demands and deserves. Sometimes our phone photos are a-ok and there are no adjustments that are needed.
Other times, we might catch a glass is not in line or a bedskirt needs tweaked. I will say that those tight shots do bring out my inner OCD. Nobody but a stager would think to aim to perfectly align dish shapes or detecting a stray string that requires a trim. The little things make me a little crazy. It’s typically not anything major but that check and balance is a helpful tool so that when the professional cameras enter, the house can say, “I’m ready for my close-up!”
There are images of full rooms that show complete spaces. Think “move in ready” images. What we prepare, and the photographers capture, creates the impression that this place is a welcoming home. Photos that depict a home that accommodates homeowners’ needs/wishes. Individuals perusing the images in the MLS listing end up actually touring the home because the photos drew them in. The photos are the first impression where people can imagine themselves living in the home.
Never underestimate the power of good pictures. Our photographers are experts in the real estate biz. They know interesting angles and can do fun things such as creating the image of a show on the TVs. Another thing they do is take close ups of our decorating vignettes. I love those photos because they really capture a style or mood we were trying to create in a room.
When someone sells their home, it is often suggested that they take down personal family pictures so that buyers can see themselves in the home. Our decor is not specific to any particular family. Rather, it is our goal to be neutral but stylish; clean yet functional; welcoming and beautiful.
When close ups of our groupings make it into the MLS listing, it’s like my child had made it into the yearbook or some swanky publication… Instant (mental) fame! I truly take ownership of each nook and cranny or a room and how every part of what I do will look in a picture. Sometimes, I’ve thought about those close ups and if there was something that I could incorporate as my “signature” without it being overt. Similar to Easter eggs in video games or movies, those close up pictures would be the best place to perhaps tuck those secret elements (if I ever did that) (which I probably won’t) (or will I?…).
Our Woodstock home gave us numerous close-ups when the images were complete. Even though that decor is not specific to any one buyer, they are specific to me, and they add another layer of visual interest to the photos that accompany the listing. Without a doubt, this home was more than ready for its close up and and went into contract SAME day for $75,000 over ask. Cue the paparazzi please.
