5 Photography Tips for Staging Your Minnesota Home to Sell

Homes with professional-quality photos receive 118% more online views than those with amateur photos. You don't need a professional photographer to get great shots — just follow these five tips.

1. Maximize Natural Light

What to Do:

Shoot during the "golden hours" — 10 AM to 2 PM when natural light is strongest
Open all curtains and blinds completely
Turn on every light in the house (yes, every single one)
Replace any burnt-out bulbs
Use matching color temperature bulbs (all warm white or all daylight)

Minnesota Tip:

During Minnesota winters, natural light is limited. Schedule your photo session for the brightest part of the day and consider adding temporary table lamps to darker corners.

2. Use the Right Angles

Wide Shots:

Stand in the doorway of each room for the widest angle
Shoot from corners to capture two walls
Hold the camera at chest height (not eye level) for a more natural perspective
Use your phone's wide-angle lens (0.5x on most smartphones)

Detail Shots:

Capture architectural features (built-in shelves, fireplaces, crown molding)
Close-ups of staging vignettes (styled coffee table, bathroom tray)
Outdoor features (fire pit, garden, deck)

What to Avoid:

Never shoot into a mirror (you'll be in the photo)
Don't shoot directly at windows (causes blowout)
Avoid shooting from center of room (looks amateur)

3. Stage for the Camera

What looks good in person doesn't always translate to photos:

Before Shooting Each Room:

Remove trash cans, cleaning supplies, and everyday clutter
Close toilet lids
Hide cords and cables
Remove personal items (photos, medication, mail)
Fluff pillows and straighten blankets
Add fresh flowers or a green plant

Pro Styling Tricks:

Place a cutting board with a bowl of lemons in the kitchen
Set the dining table with simple place settings
Fan out magazines on a coffee table
Add a cozy throw to a chair or couch corner
Place a tray with small items on the bed or ottoman

4. Edit Your Photos (But Not Too Much)

Recommended Edits:

Brightness: Increase slightly for an airy feel
Contrast: Adjust to make details pop
Straighten: Ensure vertical and horizontal lines are straight
Crop: Remove distracting edges
White balance: Correct any color casts

What NOT to Do:

Don't use heavy filters (buyers will feel deceived)
Don't oversaturate colors
Don't photoshop out flaws (it's misleading and potentially illegal)
Don't add fake blue skies (buyers can tell)

Free Editing Tools:

Snapseed (phone app) — Best free editing app
VSCO — Great for subtle adjustments
Lightroom Mobile — Professional-quality editing, free version available

5. Capture the Full Story

Essential Shot List:

[ ] Front of house (curb appeal — the most important photo)
[ ] Backyard/patio
[ ] Kitchen (from at least 2 angles)
[ ] Living room
[ ] Master bedroom
[ ] Master bathroom
[ ] Each additional bedroom
[ ] Dining room
[ ] Basement (finished areas)
[ ] Garage (if noteworthy)
[ ] Unique features (fireplace, built-ins, walk-in closet)
[ ] Neighborhood/street view
[ ] Views from the property

Order Matters:

Lead with your strongest photos. For most Minnesota homes, the order should be:

Front exterior (best curb appeal shot)
Kitchen
Living room
Master bedroom
Additional rooms
Backyard/outdoor spaces
Other features

Bonus: Video Walkthrough

Video tours are increasingly expected by buyers:

Use a gimbal or stabilizer for smooth footage
Walk slowly and deliberately through each room
Narrate or add text overlay highlighting features
Keep it under 3 minutes
Post on YouTube, Facebook, and your listing

Ready to Sell and Move?

Once your home photos are perfect and the offers start coming in, Blue Dolly is ready to move you to your next chapter. We coordinate with your closing date and handle everything from packing to delivery.

Get a free moving quote and plan your next move.

Blue Dolly Moving helps Minnesota homeowners sell and move with ease. Call (612) 400-9989.

5 Photography Tips for Staging Your Minnesota Home to Sell