How to Make It Look Bigger in Real Estate Photos
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In real estate photography, perceived space can be just as powerful as actual square footage. Knowing how to make it look bigger in photos for real estate is a key skill that helps properties stand out in listings, generate more interest, and increase viewing rates. With the right combination of lens choice, angles, lighting, and editing, even the smallest rooms can appear open, bright, and inviting. This guide will walk you through practical strategies to enhance spatial perception in every shot — and show you how Fotober can take your visuals even further.
1. Introduction: How to Make Rooms Look Bigger in Photos
In real estate photography, space sells. That’s why knowing how to make it look bigger in photos is crucial for attracting potential buyers. Images that feel open, bright, and spacious can increase interest, drive more showings, and even influence the final sale price. The goal isn’t to deceive, but to showcase each room at its best by emphasizing openness and minimizing visual clutter. In this guide, we’ll explore practical techniques - from lens selection to expert editing - to help your photos feel more expansive and inviting.
2. Use Wide-Angle Lenses to Capture More Space
One of the most effective ways to show off room dimensions is with the right lens. If you want to know how to make it look bigger in photos, start by using a wide-angle lens - ideally between 16mm and 24mm on a full-frame camera. These lenses let you include more of the room in the frame, capturing the layout and flow of space more effectively.
However, caution is key: ultra-wide lenses (like 10–12mm) can introduce barrel distortion, making rooms appear unnatural or stretched. Be sure to level your camera and apply lens correction in post-processing to maintain a realistic feel. This approach is emphasized in every professional real estate photography guide, as it helps photographers showcase space effectively without distorting reality.
3. Optimize Camera Angles for a Spacious Look
Choosing the right angle can make a dramatic difference in how large a room appears. For those looking at how to make it look bigger in photos, positioning the camera at chest height (around 4 to 5 feet from the floor) gives a balanced perspective of both floor and ceiling.
Try shooting from the corners or just outside the doorway to maximize depth. Angles that reveal two walls create a sense of three-dimensionality, helping viewers grasp the scale of the space. Avoid tilting the camera upward or downward too much, as this can distort lines and make the room look awkwardly proportioned.
4. Use Lighting to Enhance the Sense of Space
Lighting plays a vital role in shaping how we perceive room size. If you're serious about learning how to make it look bigger in photos, mastering natural and supplemental lighting is non-negotiable.
Whenever possible, use natural daylight - open blinds, remove screens, and schedule shoots during mid-morning or late afternoon when light is soft and flattering. To eliminate shadows in corners or under furniture, add continuous LED panels or bounce flash off ceilings and walls. A well-lit room feels open and breathable, while poor lighting can shrink a space visually.
5. Declutter to Create the Illusion of Space
Minimalism is a photographer’s ally when it comes to how to make it look bigger in photos. Visual clutter - extra furniture, personal items, decorations - draws attention away from the room’s structure and shrinks its perceived volume.
Focus on removing non-essentials: excess chairs, rugs, storage bins, or wall art. Leave just enough to show function and flow. A neatly made bed, one side table, and minimal accessories can make a bedroom look larger and more appealing than one filled with decor. Remember, clean surfaces and clear floor space add virtual square footage to your image.
6. Post-Processing: Enhance the Sense of Space
No photography session is complete without editing - and it's a powerful step in how to make it look bigger in photos. Start by straightening vertical and horizontal lines using lens correction tools. Misaligned edges can make a room feel off-balance and smaller.
Adjust brightness, contrast, and shadows to evenly illuminate the entire space. HDR blending is particularly useful in rooms with bright windows and dark interiors. Be subtle - overediting can make photos look fake. The goal is to reflect the room’s true size while improving balance and clarity.
7. Let Fotober Enhance Your Real Estate Photos
Even with all these techniques in place, a professional finishing touch can take your images from good to exceptional. At Fotober, we specialize in helping real estate photographers master how to make it look bigger in photos - not through distortion, but through refined detail, balance, and visual flow.
Our services include:
- Precision straightening of architectural lines
- Exposure blending for evenly lit spaces
- Digital object removal and decluttering
- Virtual house staging and sky replacements
- Fast turnaround times that meet your schedule
You shoot the property - we handle the rest. Fotober transforms raw images into compelling marketing assets that sell space and story.
Conclusion
Understanding how to make it look bigger in photos means combining preparation, technique, and professional editing to create visually spacious, well-balanced images. From wide-angle lenses and smart angles to clutter control and lighting, every detail counts. Whether you're photographing small apartments or luxury homes, these techniques help every space put its best foot forward.
When you're ready to elevate your photography even further, Fotober is here to refine and polish your work. Reach out today to explore how our editing team can help maximize the impact of every listing photo you deliver.
For consistent, professional-looking results, outsourcing your real estate image editing to experienced specialists like Fotober can significantly elevate your brand image.
