Hello, Matthew here. As a property photographer with over 17 years of experience covering Somerset, Bristol, and Bath, I’ve learned that the first impression is everything. And in the world of online property listings, that first impression is almost always the main exterior photograph – what we in the business call the ‘hero shot’. This single image has to do a lot of heavy lifting. It needs to grab attention, showcase the property’s best features, and entice a potential buyer to click for more details. A great front-of-house shot can be the difference between a property that languishes on the market and one that gets snapped up in weeks. From stone-fronted farmhouses in Wells to colourful terraces in Bristol, exterior property photography in Somerset requires adapting to each property's character.
Over the years, I've developed a process for capturing the perfect exterior shot. It’s a blend of preparation, technical skill, and a little bit of local knowledge. Here are some of my essential tips for getting that all-important front-of-house photograph just right.
01Maximising Kerb Appeal: It Starts Before the Shutter Clicks
The journey to a stunning exterior photo begins before I even take my camera out of the bag. Kerb appeal is a real and powerful concept. A tidy, well-presented property looks cared for and inviting. Before any shoot, I always advise my clients to spend a little time on some simple housekeeping. This means mowing the lawn, tidying up any stray leaves or branches, and making sure the garden looks its best. The beautiful gardens I often see in places like Frome and Wells really make a difference.
It’s also crucial to hide wheelie bins and recycling boxes. Nothing ruins a beautiful shot of a period property in Bath like a bright green recycling bin in the foreground! And, of course, there’s the matter of cars. If possible, I always ask for cars to be moved from the driveway and from the street directly in front of the house. A clear, unobstructed view of the property is always the goal.
02Finding the Best Angle
Photographing a property straight-on can often make it look flat and one-dimensional. My approach is to shoot from a slight angle, which helps to create a sense of depth and shows off the side of the property as well as the front. This works particularly well for the diverse architecture we have in the South West, from the modern developments in Bristol to the classic Georgian townhouses in Bath.
I also pay close attention to perspective. Pointing the camera up at a tall building can cause the vertical lines to converge, making the house look like it’s falling backwards. I use specialist lenses and techniques to ensure all vertical lines are perfectly straight, giving the property a sense of stability and presence.
03The Great British Weather and Sky Replacement
Let’s be honest, the weather in Somerset and the surrounding areas can be unpredictable! A bright, blue sky is the ideal backdrop for any exterior shot, but we don’t always get lucky. A grey, overcast sky can make a property look dull and uninviting. This is where a little bit of digital magic comes in. Sky replacement is a technique I use to replace a bland sky with a more appealing one. It’s a subtle art – the key is to make it look completely natural. I have a whole library of skies that I’ve photographed myself, so I can always find one that perfectly matches the lighting and conditions of the day.
04My Secret Weapon: HDR for Perfect Exteriors
One of the biggest challenges in exterior photography is the huge difference in brightness between the sky and the property itself. On a sunny day, if you expose for the house, the sky will be completely white. If you expose for the sky, the house will be a dark silhouette. My solution is High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. This involves taking multiple photos at different exposures and then blending them together to create a single image with detail in both the brightest and darkest areas. It’s a technique I’ve honed over many years, and it allows me to capture a scene that’s much closer to what the human eye sees. It’s my preference over using flash, as it creates a much more natural and appealing light.
05Drone vs. Ground-Level: Getting a New Perspective
Drone photography has been a game-changer for property marketing. An elevated shot can show off the size of the property and its garden, its proximity to local landmarks, or a stunning view that you just can’t appreciate from the ground. I include drone photography as standard in all my packages because I believe it offers a unique and valuable perspective. For a property with a bit of land, or one in a stunning location like the Cheddar Valley, a drone shot can be a real selling point.
However, the classic ground-level shot is still essential. It’s the view that a potential buyer will have when they first arrive at the property, so it needs to be perfect. I see drone and ground-level photography as two sides of the same coin – they work together to tell the full story of the property.
06Seasonal Considerations for Somerset Properties
Finally, it’s worth thinking about the seasons. A property can look completely different in spring, summer, autumn, and winter. The lush greenery of a Somerset summer can be a huge selling point, while the golden light of autumn can create a wonderfully atmospheric shot. Even a crisp, sunny winter’s day can be a great time for exterior photography. The key is to work with the seasons, not against them. A good photographer can find the beauty in a property at any time of year.
I hope these tips have been helpful. Capturing the perfect exterior shot is a crucial part of marketing any property effectively. If you’re selling a property in Somerset, Bristol, Bath, or any of the surrounding areas like Weston-super-Mare or Glastonbury, and you’d like to discuss how my photography can help you achieve the best possible price, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
