How to Take Great Photos of Your Apartment

Guide: Take Professional-Looking Photos of Your Apartment

Great photos are undoubtedly the most important factor in attracting interested swap partners to your listing. Listings with good photos receive significantly more enquiries than those with poor or missing photos. Fortunately, you do not need professional camera equipment — with the right techniques, you can take stunning photos that sell your home using your ordinary smartphone.

Equipment: Your Smartphone Is More Than Enough

You absolutely do not need an expensive DSLR camera to take good property photos. Modern smartphones have excellent cameras that, in the right hands, can produce professional-looking results:

Basic smartphone tips:

• Always use the main camera: The rear camera is far better than the selfie camera
• Clean the lens thoroughly: A simple dry cloth over the lens makes a surprisingly big difference
• Turn on HDR mode: Provides better detail in both bright and dark areas of the image
• Hold the phone horizontally (landscape): Gives a wider perspective and shows more of the room
• Avoid digital zoom: Move physically closer to the subject instead — zoom degrades quality
• Use the grid lines: Enable them in camera settings to keep the image straight

Extra equipment that can help:

• A small tripod for the phone produces sharper images
• A remote shutter release (or self-timer) avoids camera shake
• A reflector (or white sheet) can brighten up shadows

Lighting: Daylight Is Your Absolute Best Friend

Lighting is the single most important factor for good photos — more than the camera, more than editing:

The optimal time for shooting:

• Mid-morning (9–11): Soft, diffused light that does not create harsh shadows
• Late afternoon (15–17): Warm, flattering light — especially good in winter
• Avoid strong midday sun: Creates harsh shadows and overexposed windows
• Overcast weather is actually ideal: Clouds act as a giant softbox, giving soft, even light

How to make the most of the light:

• Turn on all lights in the room, even if it is the middle of the day — it fills in the shadows
• Pull curtains and blinds fully aside so daylight streams in unobstructed
• Avoid shooting directly towards windows — it causes backlighting problems and dark rooms
• Use floor lamps and table lamps to brighten dark corners
• Photograph the same room at different times to see when the light is best

Preparation: Tidy Up and Style Like a Professional

Your photos should show the home's full potential, not your everyday clutter. Spend plenty of time preparing:

Basic tidying (minimum):

• Remove all personal items such as family photos, toiletries, shoes by the door
• Completely clear all horizontal surfaces (kitchen worktops, coffee tables, dressers, windowsills)
• Hide all visible cables, chargers and wires
• Close all cupboard doors, drawers and storage furniture
• Remove fridge magnets, notice boards and other visual "noise"
• Take rubbish and bins out of the frame
• Remove plants that look sad or wilted

Styling tips for an inviting look:

• Drape a nice, neutral-coloured throw over the sofa or bed
• Place fresh flowers or green plants strategically on the table
• Set out attractive, simple crockery in the kitchen — it signals home
• Lay out matching towels in the bathroom — preferably white or neutral
• Set out candles (unlit) for a cosy feel
• Place a few attractive books or magazines on the coffee table

Thorough cleaning before shooting:

• Wash all windows inside and out until they gleam
• Vacuum and mop floors thoroughly — dust and stains show clearly in photos
• Ensure spotless mirrors and shiny surfaces in the bathroom and kitchen
• Clean the toilet until it sparkles — a dirty toilet can ruin the impression
• Descale taps and shower heads
• Dust all vertical surfaces, light fittings and windowsills

Angles and Composition: Make the Rooms Look Their Best

How to photograph rooms so they appear spacious and inviting:

The classic estate agent angle:

• Stand in a corner of the room with your back to the wall
• Hold the camera at chest height (not from floor level or above your head)
• Shoot diagonally across the room
• Try to capture as much of the room as possible without distortion
• Include parts of furniture in the foreground for depth

Common mistakes you absolutely must avoid:

• Do not stand too close to the wall behind you — the room looks smaller
• Keep the phone 100% level — crooked photos look unprofessional
• Avoid getting your own shadow in the shot — check before you press the shutter
• Never shoot directly into mirrors — you will end up in the photo
• Avoid images where the toilet is the dominant element
• Do not take photos with flash — it produces flat, unflattering images

Which Rooms and Angles Should You Prioritise?

Prioritise your photos strategically — not all rooms are equally important:

Absolute must-have photos (minimum for a good listing):

1. The living room: Your best and most important photo — it becomes the cover image
2. The kitchen: Show the worktop, cupboards and any appliances
3. Each bedroom: Show size, lighting and storage
4. The bathroom: Show condition, size and facilities (shower, bathtub, toilet)

Nice-to-have photos that elevate your listing:

• Balcony, terrace or garden with a view
• View from windows (if it is good)
• Hallway or corridor (shows the first impression)
• Storage space (built-in wardrobes, walk-in closet, basement)
• Communal areas if they look nice (courtyard, garden, rooftop terrace, laundry room)
• Any special features (fireplace, original stucco, unique details)

How many photos should your listing have?

• Minimum: 5 photos — fewer looks suspicious or disengaged
• Optimal: 10–15 photos — gives a complete impression without overwhelming
• Maximum: 20 photos — more than that becomes overwhelming and hard to navigate

Common Mistakes You Must Avoid at All Costs

Poor lighting that ruins your photos:

• Too-dark photos because you forgot to turn on lights
• Overexposed windows that appear as white surfaces
• Yellow or orange light from incorrect white balance — use daylight

Clutter and personal items in the photos:

• Unmade beds with crumpled bedding
• Visible rubbish in bins
• Toilet seat left up (a classic mistake!)
• Clothes hanging to dry
• Dishes in the sink or on the worktop
• Pet equipment and toys

Technical errors you can easily avoid:

• Blurry photos because your hand was shaking — use the self-timer
• Portrait-orientation photos that look amateurish — always use landscape format
• Too close so the room looks cramped — take a step back
• Selfies in mirrors — nobody wants to see you in the photo

Pro Tips for the Perfect Result

Take far more photos than you need: Photograph each room from 5–10 different angles and positions. Afterwards, you can calmly review all the photos on a large screen and choose the very best ones. It is much easier to sort afterwards than to have to go back and reshoot.

Edit your photos gently:

• Adjust brightness and contrast slightly if needed
• Straighten crooked horizon lines with the crop tool
• Avoid filters that dramatically alter the colours — the home should look like reality
• Do not digitally remove flaws — it is dishonest and creates disappointment at viewings

Get feedback from others before you upload: Fresh eyes spot things you overlook because you know the home too well. Ask a friend, colleague or family member to review the photos and give honest feedback. They can tell you which photos work best and whether anything looks odd.

Next Steps After Shooting

With great, professional-looking photos in place, you are ready for the next important task: writing a compelling and honest listing text. Read our guide: Hvad skal du fortælle i din annonce? for tips on writing text that matches the quality of your photos.

For the complete guide to the entire home swap process, see: Sådan bytter du lejlighed i Danmark.