I love the mirror or inside of the car in the photo.  I can tell you with almost 100% certainty the type of listing it is when I see that.  There is one company out here in SoCal that posts "entry only" listings in the MLS.  A certain "we don't use the MLS" company that sued Zillow over their anti-comingling rule used them when sellers wanted MLS exposure.  You knew who they were right away because they had commission amounts that were just north of nothing and they all had photos the seller took with, I swear, 1990s flip phone cameras.

Now my process, is something I picked up from my Air B&B hosting.  It's all about the first five photos... because that's what the portals are showing now.  The first photo is the highlight photo.  Either the kitchen, the pool, the front of the house, or the yard.  Depending on the time of year and how the feature looks.  We've also moved away from having the photos in walkthrough order every time.  Sometimes we do walkthrough, sometimes we highlight areas, sometimes we group the secondary bedrooms together.  Depends on the house.

Floorplans are not always included.  That depends on the house, the photo order, etc.  Sometimes a floorplan is just not worth highlighting.

I've used drone and aerial photos once, when a listing really called for it.  For the most part, a tract home does not need drone footage (in my professional opinion).  If it's just another tile roof, in a sea of tile roofs as far as the eye can see, that is a detriment to the sale.  If you can see the entire property line from across the street, you don't need a drone.  If it's five houses from the ocean, if it is on 20 acres, if it has a massive plot of land that you can't see when you pull up, then it helps.

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 

   Interesting that you brought this up.  This morning I was looking online at some property in western North Carolina, I saw one of those "gold standards of bad MLS photos".

   The cellphone size photo -  it does not appear the image was sharpened or focused.  And the classic toilet seat up!

Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573 

I list a lot of vacant land and it important to make sure, it is a nice sunny day and the sun is on the right direction. The same principle I use when listing homes. It has worked very well for me since I enjoy taking my own photos. I will let you be the judge, lol

TIP:
Unless you are a well-trained professional photographer, hiring a pro is cost of doing business. 

Lazy or cheap, take your pick but the seller deserves a good presentation of their property. 

Great questions, Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573!

Let’s be honest—your listing photos are your first impression, kind of like a handshake or a first date. And you won't get a 2nd chance to make a great 1st impression.

If you’re not hiring out a professional, at least remember this: clarity beats creativity when it comes to property shots. Start with the basics—well-lit, clutter-free, and straight to the point. No one wants to see a blurry lens shot or a rearview mirror that’s more confusing than helpful. And keep the camera horizontal for all those websites that will be showcasing your listings.

As for the order, think of it like telling a story: a captivating exterior shot hooks viewers, then move inside with inviting, well-composed photos of the main living areas, followed by a floor plan or map to orient folks. Placement should flow naturally—think of it as guiding someone through the home without making them dizzy.

Keep your photos consistent in style and quality, and remember, the goal is to make buyers feel like they’re already there—so, avoid shooting into the sun unless you’re aiming for that ‘I can’t see anything’ effect! 

And hey, if you’re starting out, don’t overthink it—focus on clarity, lighting, and telling a story with your images. Because in real estate, a good photo can sell a house faster than any fancy description ever could.

Professional photography is a cost of doing good business.  I don't have any talents.  Get the ones who do.  Photographs do make a difference in the time it takes to sell a house.

I would not say publicly what horrible pics say about the agent. 

Leave it to the pros. And prepare the property.

I'm a big believer in hiring out those things of which I am not a professional and photos has been one since I got in the business! I know that some believe their iPhone pics are as good as a professional photographer's but, because we are in the business, we can tell! 

That said, I have waited on photos to be taken and known an agent (or agents) who had a buyer for my new listing and will shoot my own shots just to email to them until the photographer has arrived. My photographer has given me tips on angles (to avoid mirrors), lighting (behind you, not in front of you) and holding the camera low to capture a wider angle. You can also pinch your iPhone to widen the view. 

My photographer is also obsessed with shooting at the optimal time of the day for the sun, based upon the direction the front of the home is facing. Me, my time is best spent selling my listings and prospecting than trying to figure out which time of day is best for shooting!! LOL

I always enjoy quickly selling properties that other agents let expire, most of them include few photos, all taken from the road, with a rear view mirror in the corner of each photo.

I'm offended by bad MLS photos and have always said it's a violation of your fiduciary duty to cheap out on your seller. I hire all my photography, video, drone and 3-D Matterport - I owe that to my sellers at all price points.

Some think I was a great photo critique when active. The a=same people also would say I was a lousy photographer. So, I used a professional and stayed in my lane.  

Agent probably doesn't care. Photographer doesn't care and/or has little experience. Photos taken at wrong time of day. Composition isn't a concern and photographer doesn't know how to edit or crop photos. Even a cheap camera can take decent photos these days, so I'd mainly go with neither agent or so called photographer just does

I'll set up my pictures from the front of the house and in a walk through of the house.  Bathrooms show the least interesting just ahead of hallways.  View is a big one as well as backyard.  The Kitchen and Master Bedroom are important too.

Poor photos, like narrow shots, dirty lenses, or bad angles tell buyers the agent isn’t detail-oriented. Good listings need clear, wide, well-lit images. Tip: Use a clean lens, avoid glare, and frame shots professionally—or hire a pro. First impressions matter!