In the constantly changing industry of real estate photography, the presence of professionals specializing in photo editing is an outstanding factor. The task of exemplifying the properties at their best through capturing and enhancing images is of prime importance for a successful real estate listing. Photographers' responsibility is not only to capture the best among homes, buildings, and interiors, rather the photo editor's skills are indispensable in the process of creating a masterpiece to stand out in the real estate market. So then, the question is, what does a real estate photo editor do in a typical day? Let's take a quick look at real estate photo editing.
 

The Beginning: Day Preparation
 

The typical editor's day usually starts with an early sun, especially when they have multiple clients or important deadlines to meet. Before starting the creative process, they always spend a few minutes reading emails and checking project management tools to see what they are supposed to do. Whether the photos are from an event from the past day or they are a very urgent request for a specific property to be listed, morning is the time to organize and prioritize the work. 

Some of the visual real estate photographers use tools such as PixelShouters to expedite the workflow process, which makes it possible for a photo editor to quickly access a good number of photos. By using this tool, the editor collects and categorizes shots from several shooting sessions, making it easier for the editor to scan through them before making any changes.
 

Step One: Photos Sorting

Sorting the photos is the initial thing to do soon after the images are received. Many photoshoots will create hundreds of photos, while only some of them may get discarded due to technical mistakes such as composition errors and bad lighting. The task of the editor is to highlight the best of them, most often choosing ones that present the specifics of the property, such as spacious living rooms, modern kitchens, or an amazing exterior view. 

Some of the editors might be using Lightroom or Capture One, just for the purpose of getting good organization of their photo processing, meaning they would, for example, organize photos in folders or make collections based on particular properties, specific house areas, or the kind of photo (interior, exterior, or detail shots).
 

The Public: Photo Makeover

Best of all shots selected, the real job starts. Again, image adjustment in the field of real estate is more than just making them look beautiful, it is actually displaying the property in the best way possible and at the same time keeping the photo realistic.
 

1. Change the Exposure and Light

Real estate photos need to be significantly improved with exposure, brightness, and contrast. A professional editor will make sure that the room has enough brightness. Actually, the lights off the walls, countertops, and floors are reflecting properly.

 One of the most relevant periods where this becomes particularly crucial, would be the areas where natural light is less, such as in the case of bathrooms and basements. Moreover, among other key things to check, the photo editor should also ensure the accuracy of the colors in the picture, in order to provide the right information. Especially, when it comes to houses that are characterized by specific color schemes. 
Whether it is a modern monochromatic interior or a cozy, vibrant living room, the editor will have to make sure that the colors in the image are consistent.
 

2. Overcrowding the Perspective

A very common problem for real estate photography is perspective distortion. These are the visual effects that come from using wide-angle lenses inside a house while making the shot of the interiors. They may provoke not aligned pathways and distorted rooms. A competent photo editor will employ tools like Photoshop or Lightroom to make the lines of walls and ceilings straight and the room will look both embracing and big.
 

3. Sky Exchange and Enhancement

For the exterior shots, editing the image might include the sky being replaced with a brighter one, which is actually preferable in terms of aesthetics. Dull weather conditions can lead to a house appearing less attractive; thus, the editor will likely opt for a clear blue sky or a sunset scene to create a warm, welcoming feeling. Usually, sun and shadow adding can also be done by editors to have a more eye-grabbing environment.
 

4. The Unwanted Object Removal

Actually, one of the most essential stages of the photo editing process is to remove the unnecessary objects from the image. For example, things like garbage cans, traffic signs, or parked cars in front of a property may sometimes be very annoying and may need to be cleaned up. With such tools as the content-aware fill in Photoshop, the editor will seamlessly remove these objects from the photo, thus keeping the property as the focal point.
 

5. Giving Staging the Look

At times, the editors will use a digital platform to decorate the images by adding a room. Such things could be including the addition of a chair or a plant that would brighten up the area. The best staging is the physical one; however, digital staging can also be a good alternative. It is especially useful when working with a small budget or trying to save time.


 

Client Reviews and Communication

As the day advances, photo editors constantly receive comments from real estate agents or homeowners. At this point, effective communication is pivotal. Editors are likely to be advised to make the necessary alterations in response to the client's recommendations or alter their work to match specific marketing goals. 

Certain clients might give strict instructions that include filters or style. The editor, then, should enter into their language by, for example, adjusting their requests while the final product retains the highest degree of professionalism. Such collaboration is ongoing and very essential to making sure that the final photos greatly satisfy the expectations of the client.
 

The Final Step: Exporting and Delivering the Photos

After the images have been polished enough, the step of the best exporting them and providing them to the user would be the last step. Normally, real estate agents demand different types of resolutions for each purpose. For instance, it could be MLS listings, websites, and other social media platforms. Thus, the editor should provide the photos in the necessary formats and sizes to be viewed perfectly on all devices and platforms. 
Besides that, during this period, the editor may also present the client with various alternatives of the images such as the raw, basic edited, or improved versions, it all mainly depends on the client's requirements or the contract that the client has signed.
 

Conclusion: The Close of the Day

By the end of the day, a photo editor might have completed multiple rounds of editing, communication, and feedback sessions. The editor will review all the completed work, ensure the photos meet the highest standards, and make any final adjustments before they are sent out to the client.

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