Content creation is a powerful tool for standing out in an overcrowded real estate market like Seattle. And video is quickly taking the throne as the king of content. It’s pretty simple: real estate professionals who aren’t leveraging video are missing significant opportunities. Fortunately, creating real estate video content is as simple as using your iPhone. This guide introduces you to the best iPhone camera settings and provides tips that will help you elevate your real estate videos.
Why Create Real Estate Videos?
First, you should create video content for real estate because it helps you stand out. It puts you in front of a larger audience and shows buyers and sellers you’re willing to take extra steps to help achieve their dreams. Plus, audiences are eating up video at an incredible rate (a rate that is only speeding up). There are two reasons for that: video is short, consumable content, and social media platforms push video in front of their users. The longer people stay on their platforms, the more money they make in advertising dollars. Simply put, if you create videos properly, people will see them.
The good news is that you can start creating beautiful real estate video content by optimizing your iPhone camera settings.
Locate Your iPhone Camera Settings
First, let’s navigate to your iPhone’s camera settings. This is where the magic happens. Simply go to your iPhone’s main Settings, scroll to Camera, and then focus on the Record Video section.
Video Resolution for Real Estate Videos
Video resolution is critical for creating the highest-quality content possible with an iPhone. The iPhone offers resolutions up to 4K, much like expensive professional cameras. Although 4K videos take up more storage, the visual payoff is worth it for high-quality real estate videos. If storage space is an issue, 1080p (also called full HD) remains a terrific choice.
Frames Per Second (FPS) Settings
The frames per second (FPS) setting affects how smooth your video looks. Real estate videos are best shot at 24 FPS, which is the frame rate used in cinema. For dynamic shots or anything you want to capture in slow motion, consider 60 FPS (or higher for slo-mo) to add a smoother, more vibrant quality to your real estate content.
PRO TIP: Once you have dialed in all your iPhone camera settings, you can quickly change your video settings in the upper left corner of your screen when the camera is open. The image below shows my camera set to 4K 24 FPS. You can simply and quickly change the setting by tapping in that corner.
Using Grid & Level for Professional Shots
Activating the Grid and Level features in your iPhone camera settings will significantly enhance the professionalism of your videos. The grid assists in composing well-balanced shots (think the rule of thirds), while the level ensures your videos are perfectly horizontal, maintaining a professional and watchable look.
Balanced and level shots are critical, and so is stability. While editing software can help smooth out your shots, it can only do so much if your video bounces with every step you take. That’s why I recommend a gimbal for your iPhone. This is what I use when capturing video with my iPhone. Just so you know, this is an affiliate link.
Record Videos with Stereo Sound
Sound quality dramatically impacts a viewer’s experience, especially when you’re recording someone’s voice (like in a hosted property listing video). Stereo Sound allows you to capture the richest audio possible for your video. For those serious about video quality, I highly recommend investing in an external microphone, which can significantly improve audio clarity. Here are my suggested budget microphone and more expensive microphone options. Please note that these are affiliate links.
Edit with iMovie for Professional Touches
Editing is just as important as shooting. iMovie offers a free, user-friendly platform to trim unnecessary segments and polish your videos. For advanced editing needs, software like Adobe Premiere Pro or Final Cut Pro offer more sophisticated tools and effects. And, in my opinion, they are affordable for what they offer.
Mastering iPhone Camera Settings for Real Estate
By mastering these iPhone camera settings and tips, real estate professionals can produce beautiful videos that attract potential buyers and sellers. As you gain more experience, experiment with different settings to find what works best for each scenario, and remember, sometimes, the most powerful tool is already in your pocket.
If all of this still seems like too much, we are here to help you create real estate videos. I can coach you on how to do it on your own, or we can capture content for you with an iPhone or professional camera to really make your videos shine. Ultimately, nothing is holding you back; start creating real estate videos on your own or hire a professional. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes. It will only make you a better content creator in the end.
Moarly Creative is here to help real estate professionals just like you. Please contact us to jumpstart your content creation game. And remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And check us out on YouTube and Vimeo to see more of our video content.