How to Choose the Best Lead Photo for Your Listing
The first photo decides whether buyers click. Here is how to pick one that works.
The lead photo is the one buyers see in search results, on listing sites and in social posts. It is often the only photo they see before deciding whether to click. A strong lead photo earns attention for every photo behind it.
Start with the front exterior, most of the time
For most homes, a front exterior shot taken from a slight angle is the best lead. It shows the whole house, the roofline and the curb appeal in one frame. Buyers expect it, and it helps them recognize the home when they drive by.
When to lead with something else
Sometimes the front of the home is not its best feature. A condo in a large building, a home with a plain front but a great backyard, or a property with water or wooded views may do better with a different lead. In those cases, choose the photo that best answers the question "why this home?"
What makes a lead photo work
- Bright, even light with a blue sky or soft evening light
- Straight vertical lines so the house does not look like it is leaning
- A clean driveway with no cars, trash cans or hoses
- Green, trimmed lawn and landscaping
- The home filling most of the frame, not the street
Consider a twilight lead
A twilight photo, with interior lights glowing and a soft evening sky, stands out in a page full of daytime shots. It works especially well for homes with good exterior lighting, large windows or a pool.
Use an aerial when the lot is the story
If the property has acreage, a large yard, a pond or a great location, an aerial photo can show what a ground-level shot cannot. Use it as the lead or as the second photo.
Ready for a lead photo that gets clicks?
Pix by Painter is a short drive from St. Charles and serves the Chicago suburbs. Read why professional real estate photography helps sell homes faster, or book your shoot online.