Home Photo Requirements & Standards
Photos shot at 4MB -10MB (a range of 2400-6000 pixels wide) produce large photos for the best results. Most cameras and smart devices made in the last few years will easily shoot in this range. Our MINIMUM SIZE IS 2240 x 1680 pixels when originally shot. Photos smaller than our minumim may not be enlarged to meet the minimum. Photos below our minimum may look good in a viewfinder/thumbnail, but rapidly degrade when comformed for use in print and HDTV, resulting in a blurry grainy image. ALL photos submitted for advertising need to be in JPG, JPEG or PNG format. Do not submit urls or send me a Dropbox link.
There are a few requirements and guidelines that should be adhered to.
1. The primary must be of the front of the house with the exception of waterfront property. A straight, front view is typically the most appropriate however sometimes, an angled view can be dramatic and appealing if the home has a curved drive, unique landscaping or shows too much garage or too many trees from straight on. Waterfront photos have to have water in the shot.
2. Sharpness and clarity are critical. Check the photos for blurriness, lens flares, dirt or rain on the lens.
3. All photos should be in a standard horizontal 4:3 or 3:2 ratio when originally shot. Check your camera settings and use the largest, highest size setting. Check your DPI setting and set at 200 or higher for the best shot. A dpi below 200 can result in a low resolution that makes a photo appear pixelated and blurred.
4. We cannot accept panoramic, or vertical shots. These will not fit into any of our preset templates.
5. No part of the home may be cut off; not the sides, roof or bottom of the home. The only exception is for attached dwellings such as condos, zero lot lines, duplex units and offices suites. Don’t frame the home too tightly in the viewfinder. Up to 22.5% of the entire photo may be lost when placed in varying templates for advertising.
6. No obtrusive items, such as people, car hoods or trunks, trash piles, etc., may be in any photo. While best to remove animals, we understand that people have pets and they are sometimes unavoidable.
7. All photos must be taken during the day. No night photos will be accepted.
8. Photos should be seasonal. This means NO snow photos between April 15th and the 1st snow of season.
A few other tips:
Turn on all the lights and the camera flash, especially in darker rooms. Remove trash, kitty litter boxes and clear cluttered counters and floors. Don’t take photos in front of a mirror.
Remove decorations once a holiday has passed.
Review your photos while on site.
Submitting for TV -
WRTV HOD - Front and 2 interior are required.
PERFECT EXAMPLE
Showcase of Homes - 8 photos needed - 2 Exterior and 3 Interior are required, the other 3 can be either. If you have any questions, please reach out to Andi Grimes at andigrimes@callcarpenter.com.