It’s a cloudy Thursday morning in Sammamish, Washington. My real estate videographer, Chris Taylor, has arrived at the property and is setting up his camera and gimbal. I’m along for the ride to help turn on lights, fireplaces, and the gas stove and lend any assistance I can. I’ve already fully coordinated the shoot with the real estate broker, so we know what’s expected. But more than anything, I am here to take you behind the scenes of a real estate videography shoot.
Property Interiors
When done at the highest level, real estate videography involves many moving pieces. We’re not using an iPhone. We’re using professional Canon cameras and lenses worth thousands of dollars. Chris starts with his wide-angle lens. His camera is attached to the gimbal to keep our shots stable as he captures every room of the property. It takes experience and skill to shoot at the right angles and heights.
The next step in our real estate videography journey is using a tighter lens to capture detail shots. This is when Chris shoots fireplaces burning, gas stoves lit, and fun bits of staging (think beautiful table settings, etc.). The detail shots help bring life to the property. To me, they help buyers not just see the space but also what it would be like to live there.
Property Exteriors
After capturing all of the interior elements, Chris and I move to the backyard. This home in Sammamish has a smaller backyard, but a lush green belt backs it up. It’s an element the owner told me is one of his favorite things about the property. The mountains and greenery are a massive perk when you live in the Seattle foothills.
Our real estate videography shoot then takes us from the backyard to the front of the house. Chris and I capture the door opening as Chris walks into the space. I have always loved this part of property listing videos. To me, it’s the great reveal of the inside of the home.
Real Estate Videography Drone
When we’re done with the Canon camera, it’s time to set up our drones. Chris and I both operate professional-level DJI drones. Chris captures the home’s exterior, and he goes sky-high to shoot the surrounding area. In this case, the surrounding area includes Beaver Lake, which is less than a mile from the home.
While Chris captures those elements, I rev my real estate videography engine by shooting unique neighborhood elements. I get the neighborhood entrance sign, the community playground, and the community tennis courts. These neighborhood features are key selling points to the property, so capturing and including them in our listing video is essential. Again, it’s about the lifestyle of living in the home.
And our real estate videography gig isn’t done yet. Chris hops in his car and ventures around Sammamish to show proximity to Beaver Lake Park, schools, and grocery stores.
Real Estate Videography Post-Production
After the real estate videography shoot is over, I share the drone elements I captured with Chris, who uses all of the content we captured to edit a beautiful property listing video. He adds music and uses his skills to make the property come to life. We deliver a branded and unbranded version of the property listing video to the broker, plus a shorter 1:30ish version so she can promote it on Instagram Reels.
With that, the real estate videography journey ends, and we start preparing for the next project. In this real estate market and the incredible demand for video, the next job is always right around the corner.
Yes, real estate videography incurs a cost. But as you see, it takes years of experience, hours of work, and thousands of dollars worth of equipment to create high-quality property listing videos. Not to mention, there is a tremendous return on your investment. Not only do you sell the property and get compensated for it, but you’ve also marketed yourself as a broker willing to do whatever it takes to make a seller’s dreams come true.
Are you looking for a Seattle real estate videographer? Please contact us for your next property listing video. We can’t wait to help you grow your real estate business while helping buyers and sellers in the Seattle market reach their goals. Remember to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. And check us out on YouTube and Vimeo.