As a proven real estate professional, you know the value of good photography . While some agents choose to take their own haphazard photos on a smartphone, experienced agents know that professional real estate photography pays for itself — and then some.

But all photos aren’t created equal.

There’s an emerging trend in photography for real estate that is helping some listings stand out from the crowd. That trend is Twilight Magic, or Twilight Photography , shooting during the uniquely lit period of time just after sunrise or just before sunset — a period known affectionately as “magic hour.”

In the mid-Atlantic region, where the residential market is rife with competition, a real estate photographer who can take advantage of twilight photography delivers immense value and can significantly impact their ROI. Make sure your real estate photographer is up to date on the newest trends — innovations that will help you close deals more quickly and for maximum return.

This trend is nothing new in photography at large. For decades, dusk has been the go-to time for engagement photos, family portraits, landscapes, cityscapes and more. But just recently, real estate photographers have begun to leverage Twilight Photography to achieve outstanding results.

What makes this time so special for photography? Ask a professional photographer, and he or she can go on and on about dusk. But there are three main benefits to shooting during this time of day:

Does your real estate photography feature the lighting, versatility and depth that it should? If not, you’re missing out on a trend that can greatly impact your results.

Think about a homebuyer who is scrolling through listing after online listing. The homes begin to blend together over time, and it’s hard for one to stand out from the next. A twilight image can be a game-changer that few are taking advantage of.

When you choose to conduct real estate photography at dusk, the result is a small handful of photos that will make prospective buyers stop and take notice. Photos taken during this magic hour evoke a different experience, and they help your prospective buyers envision themselves living in the home you’re trying to sell.

Compelling photography also enhances the perceived value and quality of a home, which can lead to a higher sales price. When you’re presenting a home in its best light, driving more traffic to the home, and collecting more showings, demand for that home will naturally increase — which means a greater return for the seller and greater success for the listing agent.

Why Go Pro?

While some amateur photographers attempt to shoot just in the moments just before sunset, it’s hard to capture great shots unless you have the experience, knowledge and equipment to do so.

A professional real estate photographer can offer real-time knowledge and experience that only comes from shooting a number and variety of properties. A professional will also have the state-of-the-art equipment to make the most of this unique time.

Professional real estate photographers also know the right buttons to push in post-production. While magic hour creates outstanding raw shots, these photos can be enhanced through photo editing software like Photoshop, which can be used to make small adjustments to a photo’s tone, balance, lighting and more.

But it’s important to not go too far with editing. After all, real estate photography should present a home in its best light without creating an unrealistic or disingenuous appearance. Adjusting tone and balance is one thing; adding grass to a drab yard or removing unsightly power lines is another. A professional photographer knows just how far to go in editing without creating misleading photos.

 Shooting at dusk  is particularly important for homes with unique outdoor features like large decks, lit pools and waterfront, and it’s also a good fit for homes with halogen or down lighting.

Are you considering tapping into the dynamic, natural, compelling look and feel of real estate photos shot during magic hour? Want magic hour photos as part of a package that also includes virtual tours for real estate and real estate videography?

Get in touch with a real estate photography company that can provide expert guidance as you consider your options.

The post Twilight Magic: Enhance Your Listing With the Latest Real Estate Photography Trend appeared first on Hometrack Real Estate Marketing .