A professional property media shoot should make an estate agent’s job easier, not create another task that needs constant supervision.
By the time the photographer arrives, the scope of the shoot should already be clear. The property should be prepared, any access requirements should be confirmed, and everyone involved should understand what will be delivered afterwards.
Whether a listing needs professional photography, aerial imagery, video or a 3D virtual tour, the basic process should remain organised and predictable.
Here is what estate agents can expect when arranging a property media shoot with OpenÉire Studios.
Before the shoot
Good property media begins before the camera comes out.
The information provided at the enquiry and booking stage allows us to plan the shoot properly, bring the right equipment and identify any issues that could affect the appointment.
We will normally need to know:
the property address and Eircode
the property type
whether the property is occupied or vacant
the approximate size and number of rooms
the media services required
the preferred shoot date
how access will be provided
whether there are any unusual features that need particular attention
whether aerial photography or video is requested
For larger homes, rural properties, farms, development sites or properties with extensive gardens, additional information may be useful. This could include site access, land layout, boundaries that should be discussed, nearby landmarks or important exterior features.
Clear information at this stage helps prevent delays and ensures the shoot reflects how the property will actually be marketed.
Choosing the right property media
Not every property needs the same type of coverage.
Professional photography forms the foundation of most listings, but video, drone imagery and 3D virtual tours serve different purposes.
Professional photography
Photography gives buyers their first detailed impression of the property.
A complete shoot may include:
exterior elevations
main living spaces
kitchen and dining areas
bedrooms
bathrooms
gardens and outdoor areas
garages, sheds or additional structures
distinctive architectural or interior features
The number of photographs required depends on the size and complexity of the property. A compact home may only need a concise set of carefully selected images, while a larger or more unusual property may require broader coverage.
Drone photography and video
Aerial media can be particularly valuable when the property’s setting is part of its appeal.
It may help to show:
the scale of a garden or site
surrounding countryside
access routes
nearby coastline or landscape
detached buildings
the relationship between the house and its grounds
proximity to recognisable local features
Drone coverage is not automatically necessary for every listing. In some locations, it may add little beyond what strong ground-level photography can already communicate.
We assess the property, surroundings, weather and operating conditions before deciding whether aerial coverage is suitable.
Property video
Video can communicate the flow and atmosphere of a property in a way that individual photographs cannot.
It can also provide useful material for:
social media
agency websites
property-launch campaigns
vertical short-form content
remote buyers researching the property
The style and length should suit the property rather than following the same formula for every listing.
3D virtual tours
A 3D virtual tour allows potential buyers to explore the property remotely and understand how rooms connect.
It may be particularly useful for:
larger homes
unusual layouts
premium properties
remote or international buyers
vacant properties
buyers narrowing down a shortlist before travelling
Because a virtual tour records the interior in considerable detail, the property should be fully prepared and personal or sensitive information should be removed before scanning begins.
Preparing the property
Even excellent photography cannot completely compensate for a property that has not been prepared.
The goal is not to remove every sign that people live there. It is to create a clean, clear presentation that helps viewers concentrate on the space.
Before the appointment, the property should ideally be:
clean and tidy
free from unnecessary clutter
well lit
accessible throughout
prepared indoors and outdoors
cleared of personal or sensitive information
Kitchen worktops should be kept relatively clear. Beds should be made, towels arranged neatly and bathroom products reduced where possible.
Outside, bins, hoses, tools and unnecessary vehicles should be moved away from the main views. Curtains and blinds should be adjusted, and any lights that contribute to the atmosphere should be working.
For an occupied home, valuables, family photographs, documents and identifying information should be removed or concealed.
We intend to create a separate room-by-room preparation checklist that agents can provide directly to vendors before the shoot.
Weather and aerial planning
Irish weather does not always cooperate with property marketing schedules.
Light cloud can often produce soft, balanced conditions that work well for exterior photography. Heavy rain, poor visibility or strong winds may make certain parts of the shoot unsuitable, particularly drone work.
When aerial media is included, we assess factors such as:
wind conditions
rain and visibility
local airspace
nearby obstacles
access to a safe operating area
activity around the property
whether the surroundings can be presented appropriately
Safety and legal operating requirements take priority over completing a particular shot on a particular day.
Where practical, interior and ground photography may still proceed even if aerial work needs to be rescheduled. The best approach depends on the property, location and expected conditions.
What happens on arrival
When we arrive, we first confirm the scope of the shoot and carry out a brief walkthrough of the property.
This allows us to:
understand the layout
identify the strongest rooms and features
confirm which areas are included
notice anything that needs a quick adjustment
plan an efficient route through the property
assess exterior and drone conditions
Any remaining lights, blinds, doors or small items can then be adjusted before photography begins.
Having one person available at the beginning of the appointment can be useful, but the agent does not normally need to supervise every photograph.
During the photography
The order of the shoot depends on the property and conditions.
For example, exterior photography may be prioritised while the weather and light are suitable. At other properties, it may be more efficient to complete interiors first.
During the shoot, we concentrate on:
accurate vertical and horizontal lines
balanced compositions
consistent room coverage
natural-looking light
realistic colour
important selling features
a logical visual journey through the property
Wide-angle photography is useful in property marketing, but it should not be used to make rooms appear misleadingly large.
The objective is to present the property at its best while preserving a credible sense of proportion and layout.
Drone operations at the property
Before flying, the drone operator assesses the immediate surroundings and confirms that conditions remain suitable.
Not every requested aerial angle will necessarily be practical or appropriate. Nearby buildings, roads, trees, people, animals, power lines or airspace restrictions may affect what can safely be captured.
We plan aerial shots around the features that matter most, rather than collecting footage without a clear purpose.
This may include:
a front approach
the rear garden
the property within its site
elevated views of the surrounding area
distinctive nearby scenery
additional structures or land
The final selection should help buyers understand the property, not simply demonstrate that a drone was used.
3D virtual tour capture
A 3D virtual tour requires a methodical route through the property.
Doors should generally remain in consistent positions, rooms should be clear, and people or pets should not move through the scanning area.
Mirrors, reflective surfaces and personal information also require attention because the system captures much more of the room than a single carefully framed photograph.
The completed tour should provide a smooth, logical movement through the home and accurately represent how the spaces connect.
After the shoot
Once the property has been captured, the work moves into editing and quality control.
Depending on the service, this may include:
exposure correction
colour balancing
perspective correction
lens correction
image selection
video stabilisation
video colour grading
audio and music preparation
3D-tour processing
final quality checks
exporting files in the required formats
The purpose of editing is to create a polished and consistent result without making the property look artificial.
We avoid edits that would materially misrepresent permanent features or the condition of the property.
File delivery
The final files are delivered digitally.
The exact deliverables depend on the selected package, but may include:
high-resolution property photographs
web-ready photographs
aerial photographs
landscape video
vertical social-media video
a 3D virtual-tour link
clearly organised folders and filenames
Estate agents should be able to identify, download and use the assets without sorting through a confusing collection of unfinished or duplicate files.
Clear delivery is part of the service, not an afterthought.
Turnaround times
We here at OpenÉire Studios aim to deliver your package in 24 hours in normal operating conditions.
Same day delivery should be mentioned during the initial enquiry rather than after the photography has been completed.
Image usage
Estate agents should understand where the delivered media can be used and whether any restrictions apply.
Typical property-marketing use may include:
property portals
the agency’s website
social-media accounts
email campaigns
printed brochures
window displays
promotion of the active listing
The intended usage should be agreed as part of the service.
Media created for one listing should not automatically be assumed to cover unrelated advertising, resale to third parties or future reuse by another business.
What a professional property media service should provide
The value of a professional shoot is not limited to camera equipment or image resolution.
Estate agents should expect:
clear communication
dependable scheduling
appropriate equipment
careful preparation
safe and lawful drone operation
consistent editing
honest recommendations
organised delivery
realistic turnaround times
respect for the property and its occupants
A photographer should also be willing to say when a particular service is unlikely to add meaningful value.
Trust is built through good judgement as much as through good images.
Working with OpenÉire Studios
OpenÉire provides property photography, aerial media, video and 3D virtual tours for estate agents and property professionals.
Our process is designed to give agents a clear workflow from the initial enquiry through to final delivery.
We assess each property individually rather than assuming that every listing needs the same volume or type of content.
Planning an upcoming listing?
Send us the property type, location and the media you are considering, and we will recommend the most suitable coverage. → Send enquiry
Frequently asked questions
Does the estate agent need to remain at the property?
Not necessarily. Someone should normally be available to provide access and confirm any important instructions, but the agent does not need to supervise the full shoot.
Can photography proceed if drone work is not possible?
Often, yes. Interior and ground photography may still proceed when conditions are unsuitable for aerial work. The drone element can then be reviewed separately.
Should the property be vacant during the shoot?
The property does not need to be vacant, but rooms should be clear and people should avoid moving through areas currently being photographed or scanned.
How far in advance should a shoot be booked?
Booking early provides more flexibility, particularly where drone work, vendor preparation or a specific launch date is involved. Urgent bookings may still be possible depending on location and availability.
Can OpenÉire recommend which services the property needs?
Yes. Property size, setting, layout, target buyer and marketing channels all influence which services will provide genuine value.
