Better Input = Better Output
Retly creates the video — but the quality of your listing photos determines how professional it looks. Follow these 10 tips and your content will stand out.
1. Shoot in Landscape Orientation
Always shoot photos in landscape (horizontal). Video slideshows and most social formats look best with wide photos. Vertical phone shots leave awkward black bars.
2. Turn On All the Lights
Every. Single. Light. Bright rooms photograph better and feel more inviting in video slideshows. Open curtains and blinds too.
3. Lead with the Best Room
Your first photo is the hero shot — it's the thumbnail everywhere. Usually the kitchen, living room, or the best exterior angle. Make it count.
4. Include the Exterior
Don't skip the front of the house. Buyers want to see what they're pulling up to. Shoot from across the street for better perspective.
5. Capture Lifestyle Spaces
Pool, patio, fire pit, garden — these sell the lifestyle, not just the structure. In Massachusetts, a great outdoor space is a premium feature.
6. Shoot at the Right Time
- Exterior: Golden hour (early morning or late afternoon)
- Interior: Midday when natural light fills the rooms
- Avoid: Harsh noon sun for exteriors, nighttime for interiors
7. Declutter Before Shooting
Less is more. Clear countertops, remove personal items, and stage minimally. Your video will look cleaner and more professional.
8. Use a Tripod (or Steady Hands)
Blurry photos make blurry videos. Even a cheap phone tripod dramatically improves quality. If shooting handheld, brace against a wall.
9. Shoot More Than You Need
Take 30+ photos. You can always deselect in Retly — but you can't create photos that don't exist. Get multiple angles of key rooms.
10. Include Detail Shots
Hardwood floors, granite counters, built-in shelving, original molding — these details sell. Mix wide room shots with tight detail photos for variety in your slideshow.
*Got great photos? Turn them into a branded video in about 1–2 minutes. Create your video →*