Seller’s Edge · Issue 06
Smartphone listing photos that feel professionally staged.
A calm, simple playbook that turns your phone into the listing camera. We cover prep, framing prompts, and editing guardrails so your MLS gallery looks like a pro shot it—without chasing gear or filters.
The promise
Keep the commission, keep control, and still earn the click-through advantage that clean photography creates. Every step syncs with the Meydomo listing desk so our AI agents can publish, QA, and launch within hours.
New to Meydomo? Start Here for the full system, or jump to FSBO 101 to see how photography impacts DIY outcomes.
Listing photo cheat sheet
Keep this beside you while you shoot. All stats sync with 2024 MLS guidance.
- Buyers who say photos are “very useful”
- 96%
- Listings viewed on mobile
- 76%
- Preferred photo count (MLS sweet spot)
- 28–32
- Meydomo photo QA turnaround
- < 12 hrs
Why listing photos still close the deal
Buyers decide whether to click, tour, or move on within seconds of seeing your hero photo. MLS feeds, Zillow, and Redfin all compress images; if yours start dark, crooked, or cluttered, they degrade into a blur. Pro-quality photography—captured with the phone you already own—keeps attention, increases tour requests, and signals a well-run listing.
- Attention magnet: Crisp photos increase time-on-listing by over 60% and rack up more “save” actions on portals.
- Price defense: Clean imagery communicates care, helping you defend list price during negotiation.
- Meydomo sync: Our AI desk fast-tracks listings with complete photo sets, so your launch hits MLS, portals, and email alerts in the same business day.
Prep the home before you shoot
Half the battle happens before you tap the shutter. Finish your staging sprint first, then use this checklist room by room to make sure charging cables, pet bowls, and personal photos are hidden. Calm, neutral rooms translate into calm, neutral photos.
Meydomo prep sheet
Declutter surfaces (kitchen, baths, nightstands)
Keeps focus on space, not stuff.
Open every blind, curtain, and interior door
Even light + visible flow sells size.
Replace burnt bulbs with 4000K LEDs
Neutral color temperature avoids blue/yellow casts.
Stage hero props (fresh towels, pillows, plants)
Adds life without cluttering the frame.
Wipe phone lenses with microfiber cloth
Removes haze and flare that ruin sharpness.
Print the Meydomo shot list & set phone to Do Not Disturb
You stay on script without interruption.
Download the printable version inside your Meydomo dashboard under Listing > Assets > Photo Playbook.
Dial in your phone gear & settings
You do not need a pro camera, but you do need consistent settings. Spend five minutes configuring the phone so every room feels balanced.
- Resolution: Set to the highest megapixel option. Avoid “saving space” modes that drop below 12MP.
- Lens choice: Shoot at 1× only. Ultra-wide lenses stretch walls and trigger MLS complaints.
- Grid + level: Enable the 3×3 grid (and level if available) to keep vertical lines straight.
- Exposure lock: Tap and hold to lock focus/exposure, then drag slightly down until bright spots are controlled.
- HDR: Leave enabled. It balances bright windows with darker interiors.
- Timer: Use a 3-second timer or Bluetooth shutter to eliminate shake when you brace the phone.
Bonus: carry a lightweight tripod or clamp. If you do not have one, press the phone against a door frame or cabinet for extra stability.
Shot playbook: exterior to hero rooms
Run the home in the same order Meydomo publishes the gallery. Capture two wide shots and one detail per room—enough for buyers to understand the flow without scrolling fatigue.
- Exterior curb appeal: Straight-on elevation, angled elevation, close-up of entry with address visible.
- Approach & foyer: Shot from the door inward, then reverse shot showing light and sightlines.
- Hero rooms: Living, kitchen, primary suite. Anchor shot, opposite corner, lifestyle/detail (island, fireplace, headboard).
- Secondary rooms: Bedrooms, baths, office—one wide, one functional or storage detail per space.
- Utility & value: Laundry, garage storage, smart home upgrades, backyard amenities.
- Community assets: Clubhouse, pool, trail access if available—shoot horizontal and keep people out of frame.
Need a printable shot list? Download The Showing Prep Checklist and tack it next to your door.
Timing tips
- Golden hours: Shoot exteriors within 90 minutes of sunrise or sunset for soft light.
- Interior bounce: If windows blow out, wait for cloud cover or angle sideways to reduce glare.
- Two-pass system: Complete a full circuit, review on your phone, then reshoot any gaps before teardown.
- Twilight bonus: If you have time, capture one dusk exterior to use as the MLS primary photo.
Advanced composition & lighting
Every frame should feel intentional, not accidental. Keep these in mind so your gallery reads like a guided tour.
- Keep verticals vertical: Align door frames with the grid. Correct any lean when editing.
- Rule of thirds: Anchor focal points (island, bed, fireplace) on grid intersections.
- Leading lines: Floorboards, stair rails, and countertops should pull the eye into the space.
- Reflections: Step aside of mirrors, TVs, and glossy appliances so you stay invisible.
- Fixture glow: Lamps on + natural light = balanced, warm atmosphere. Avoid mixed color bulbs.
- No digital zoom: Walk the space. Cropping later retains resolution; zooming does not.
- Bracket tough rooms: Take one bright and one dark exposure so you can pick the cleanest highlight/shadow balance.
- Shoot an extra vertical: Portals and social reels thrive on vertical crops—capture one in each hero room.
Editing workflow in 5 minutes
Editing is not about filters; it is about correction. Keep adjustments minimal so MLS reviewers trust the images.
- Straighten + crop: Remove ceiling fan blades or door jambs that crowd the frame.
- Exposure +0.2: Lift the mid-tones while protecting highlights. Avoid blown windows.
- Shadows: Raise gently to recover darker corners; reduce blacks if the image goes flat.
- White balance: Warm cool rooms, cool overly warm rooms. Aim for neutral whites.
- Sharpen 10–15: Enough to restore detail without crunchy edges.
- Export: Save as JPEG around 85% quality, longest side 3,000–4,000px, under 20MB.
Workflow tools
- Apple Photos / Google Photos: Perfect for quick straighten + exposure adjustments.
- Lightroom Mobile: Create a “Meydomo Neutral” preset (auto tone, lens correction, straighten) and sync across shots.
- Snapseed Perspective: Fix minor vertical distortion without re-shooting.
- Pixelmator / Affinity: Use for object removal (cords, smoke detectors) in seconds.
Skip heavy HDR or sky replacement filters—MLS rules flag obvious manipulation.
Quality control & delivery to Meydomo
Run one last QA pass before you hand files to Meydomo. Rename, double-check exposure, and confirm you captured every room on the shot list. The cleaner the package, the faster we publish to MLS and the portals.
- File naming: `meydomo-room-name-01.jpg` keeps the gallery order intact (for example, `meydomo-kitchen-02.jpg`).
- Folder structure: Store everything in a single folder—no nested albums or mixed photo/video directories.
- Second eyes: Zoom each shot to 100% to catch blur, fingerprints, or rogue reflections before you upload.
- Upload: Use the secure intake link in your Meydomo dashboard or email assets@meydomo.com.
- Flag gaps: Note any rooms you intentionally skipped (unfinished basement, storage) so our copy addresses it.
- QA turnaround: Our team reviews within one business day and confirms readiness before MLS submission.
Print-ready version available: and keep it beside you while you shoot.
Case study: 48-hour photo sprint
A Meydomo seller in Raleigh staged on Friday, captured photos on Saturday morning, and delivered files Saturday night. We reviewed the set Sunday, flagged two retakes (glare + cord), and pushed the listing live Monday before noon. Result: 31 showings in five days and three offers over asking. The takeaway—move fast, but keep quality high.
- • Photos captured: 32 (26 MLS, 6 social b-roll)
- • Gear: iPhone 15 Pro + tripod clamp + 3-second timer
- • Editing: Lightroom Mobile preset + Snapseed perspective fix
Troubleshooting matrix
If something looks off, match the symptom to the root cause and apply the fix before buyers ever see it.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Blurry interior shots | Low light + hand movement | Add lamps, enable timer, brace phone against doorway or tripod. |
| Blue or yellow color cast | Mixed daylight and warm bulbs | Swap bulbs to 4000K LEDs, re-shoot, fine-tune white balance in edit. |
| Blown-out windows | Metered on dark furniture | Lock exposure on the window, lower brightness, lift shadows in editing. |
| Rooms feel cramped | Shot from wrong corner or too high | Shoot from doorway at chest height, step back when possible, crop later. |
| MLS rejected an image | Extreme filters or tilted verticals | Re-straighten, remove filters, re-export with natural colors. |
Next guides once your photos are locked
Great photos are one leg of the table. Use these Seller’s Edge issues to finish the prep and keep momentum through offers.
- Staging That Pays: Under $500Stage the scenes before you ever open the camera app.
- Meydomo: Start HereSee how your photo set feeds the Meydomo launch engine.
- Flat-Fee MLS: What It Is, What It Isn’tKnow exactly where those photos go once we publish to MLS.
- How to Negotiate a Home Sale Without an AgentUse the demand your photos generate to negotiate from strength.
Photos That Sell FAQ
Do smartphone photos really compete with pro DSLR shoots?
Yes—when you control light, angles, and editing. Modern phones capture 12MP+ images with HDR. The difference maker is preparation and a repeatable shot list, not the camera body.
Should I still hire a photographer for luxury homes?
High-end listings benefit from pro lighting and lenses. Use this guide for fast MLS coverage, then hire a pro for cinematic extras (twilight, drone) if the property demands it.
How many photos should I upload to MLS?
Aim for 28–32 images. Enough to walk buyers through the home without driving fatigue. Repeat angles or heavy detail sets make buyers suspicious.
What if a room is tiny or oddly shaped?
Shoot from the doorway, lower to ~4.5 feet, and let natural light lead. Focus on function—home office setup, storage, or flexible use—rather than forcing a wide shot that distorts proportions.
We guide. You capture.
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