How to Photograph a Mobile Home for a Listing in Under 20 Minutes

Listing photos drive leads more than any other element of the listing. A 20-minute phone shoot, done right, will out-convert a $200 photographer who doesn't know mobile home angles. Here's the shot list.

The 12-shot list

Phone in landscape, HDR on, daylight. Twelve photos in this order:

• Hero exterior — front
  Slightly angled, with a sliver of sky and yard. The first photo people see.
• Side exterior
  Shows the home is well-maintained, not just a face.
• Living room — wide angle
  From a corner, capturing the most square footage.
• Living room — second angle
  A different vantage. Online buyers want to feel they've seen the room.
• Kitchen — wide angle
  From the entry. Capture appliances and counter space.
• Kitchen — detail
  Counter with appliances close-up. Shows quality of finish.
• Master bedroom — wide angle
  Bed centered if possible.
• Master bath
  Wide angle. Highlight cleanliness over fixtures.
• Second bedroom
  Same approach as master.
• Second bath / hall bath
  If applicable.
• Yard / outdoor space
  Whatever yard the home has. Even small yards add appeal.
• Park amenity (clubhouse, pool, etc.)
  One photo of the broader park experience.

Lighting cheat sheet

Open every blind and curtain. Turn on every light. Shoot between 10 AM and 2 PM if you can. Use HDR. Don't use flash — it makes interiors look harsh.

The three angles that make it look bigger

Shoot from a corner toward the opposite corner. Get the camera low — chest height looks larger than eye level. Capture a leading line (a hallway, a counter edge) running away from the camera. Three small choices, twice the perceived square footage.

Light edits, no faking

Brighten shadows, even out exposure. Don't fake colors. Don't remove items that are actually in the home. Buyers walk through and reverse-search the photos; if your photo doesn't match the home, your conversion drops to zero.