When I used to photograph new model homes, the higher-end properties often had a large wood-burning fireplace. When this type of home was to be photographed, the builder’s sales rep often arrived with a couple of fire logs under their arm. They would start a fire in the main fireplace to make the photos look better.
Today when I photograph houses, I’m often the only person in the home and there are no lit fireplaces. A gas fireplace might not yet be connected or the gas not turned on. Plus, for liability reasons, I won’t turn on any gas appliance. It’s also out of the question for the photographer to start a wood-burning fire, assuming that wood was even available.
Photo retouching to the rescue.
It’s easy to digitally add flames to an otherwise empty fireplace. A glowing fireplace adds life to a photo and will change a dull black hole into a room highlight.
If your real estate pictures have a fireplace, light it up with a nice fire.
