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Using Before and After Photos to Showcase Renovations

Before and after photos are one of the simplest ways to show real change. Buyers love seeing a clear result. Sellers love seeing what good preparation can do for price. These photos feel honest and easy to understand. They tell a full story in two frames. In this guide you will learn how to plan, shoot, edit, and publish before and after photos that help you win listings and sell property faster.

Why before and after photos work

They show a clear problem and a clear fix
They make value feel real and not just words
They help buyers imagine living in the space
They help future clients trust your advice on pre sale work
They create strong social posts that get saved and shared

Renovation and refresh ideas that photograph well

Pick work that shows a visible change. Aim for projects that can be captured from the same spot.

Kitchen paint refresh and new handles
Bathroom regrout and new tapware
Garden tidy and fresh mulch
New lights and warm globes
Floor sand and polish
Full home style and declutter
Fresh exterior paint or roof clean
New front door colour and hardware

Get the green light first

Protect trust and stay compliant. Always ask permission in writing.

Get owner consent to photograph and publish the images
Confirm if the home is tenanted and follow access rules
Hide personal items like diplomas and family photos
Avoid number plates and street numbers in tight shots
Note any trades who need credit in your caption
Keep invoices and notes for your file in case a buyer asks questions

Tip. Add a simple line in your authority or email.
You agree that we may photograph the property and use the images for marketing and education across our channels.

Plan the story before you start

A good before and after set needs a tiny plan.

What is the problem you want to show
What is the change you want buyers to feel
Which angle tells that change best
What props or styling will help tell the story

Write a one line goal.
Show how a dark kitchen became bright and welcoming with paint, lights, and styling.

Build a simple shot list

Keep it short. Cover the key spaces. Aim for two to four pairs.

Street front and garden
Entry and hallway
Kitchen
Living room
Main bedroom
Bathroom
Outdoor area

For each space capture

One wide shot to show the whole area
One medium shot to show the key feature
One detail shot if it adds proof like new tapware

Keep angles the same for honest comparison

Consistency makes the change feel real.

Stand in the same spot for both images
Use the same lens or phone zoom level
Keep the camera at chest height
Line up a fixed point like a window or bench edge
Turn on grid lines in your camera settings to level the shot

Light and staging tips that make a big difference

Shoot in natural light where possible
Open blinds and curtains
Turn on all ceiling and lamp lights for warmth
Remove bins, cords, pet bowls, and paperwork
Add one simple hero item like a plant or bowl of lemons
Straighten chairs and cushions

Phone settings for sharper images

Clean the lens with a soft cloth
Tap to focus on the main subject
Hold steady or brace against a wall
Use Live Photo or Burst if your hand shakes
Avoid digital zoom. Step back or forward instead
Shoot upright for Stories and Reels and side on for listings and websites

Edit for clarity not trickery

Your goal is accuracy with gentle polish.

Crop both images to the same framing
Straighten horizons and verticals
Adjust exposure so details are visible
Warm the colour slightly if the room feels cold
Increase sharpness a little so edges look crisp
Do not remove defects that still exist

Build clean before and after layouts

Use simple formats so the viewer understands the change fast.

Side by side stills with clear labels Before and After
A swipe carousel with Before then After then a bonus detail shot
A slider that lets viewers drag between Before and After
A short video that crossfades from Before to After with a title

Label each image clearly. Add a small caption on the picture itself so it makes sense even when shared.

Write captions that sell the outcome

Use plain words that link the work to real benefits.

Problem. Dark and dated kitchen
Action. Paint, handles, warm lights, and styling
Result. Brighter feel, better flow, stronger first impression
Time and cost band. Two days. Low cost
Call to action. Want a plan like this for your home. Send a message for a free pre sale checklist

Example.
From dark to bright in two days. Fresh paint, new handles, warm lighting, and simple styling. Low cost changes. Big lift in buyer appeal. Want a plan for your place. Message me for a free checklist.

Use the content across all your channels

Stretch each set so you get the most value.

Listing page. Add one Before tile at the end for proof of care
Social media. Post a carousel and a reel and a story sticker poll
Website blog. Write a short case study with three pairs of images
Email newsletter. One hero pair and a link to the full story
Appraisals. Drop a one page printout in your pre list kit
Open homes. Place the printout on the kitchen bench
Proposals. Include a page called Our Pre Sale Property Plan with examples

Turn a photo set into a short video

Video will lift reach and saves.

Open a simple editor
Place the Before image for two seconds
Crossfade to the After image for two seconds
Add a text title like Kitchen refresh in two days
Add soft background music
Export in square for feed and tall for stories and reels

Track results and learn what works

Keep a simple scorecard for each project.

Post date and platform
Reach and saves
Comments and messages
Appraisals booked from the post
Listing won with this asset used in the pitch
Days on market and sale result if relevant

After three projects review your notes. Keep doing what gets saves and messages. Drop what does not.

Advanced ideas for higher engagement

Add cost bands like low cost or medium cost so owners can relate
Include a time stamp like day one and day two in a carousel
Show a floor plan crop if layout changes helped
Add a short owner quote about the process
Create a Highlights folder on Instagram called Makeovers
Build a website gallery called Before and After so you can link it in proposals

Common mistakes to avoid

Changing angles or heights between the two shots
Over editing so the room looks unreal
Forgetting labels so viewers get lost
Posting too many pairs in one post
Sharing faces or personal items without consent
Leaving clutter that steals attention from the result

A simple workflow you can repeat

Choose one space with clear change
Get written consent and set a shoot time
Take the Before images with a shot list
Guide the refresh plan
Take the After images from the same spot
Edit lightly and save clearly
Build a carousel and a short video
Post with a strong caption and call to action
Add to your proposal and website gallery
Track results in your scorecard

File naming and storage

Good names and folders save time when you pitch a future client.

Create a master folder called Before and After
Inside it create property folders by street name
Name each pair like Kitchen Before and Kitchen After
Keep a small text file in the folder with date, works done, and trades used
Back up to cloud storage so your team can access the assets

Templates you can copy

Caption template

Hook. From tired to bright in two days
What changed. Paint, handles, lights, and styling
Benefit. Warmer feel and better flow for buyers
Cost band. Low cost
Invite. Want a free plan for your place. Send me a message

Carousel template

Slide 1. Title. Kitchen refresh
Slide 2. Before
Slide 3. After
Slide 4. What we did
Slide 5. Time and cost band
Slide 6. Call to action

Video script template

Title card. Entry makeover in one weekend
Clip 1. Before still
Clip 2. After still
Text overlay. New paint, lights, and plants
End card. Want a plan. Message me

Partner with trades and stylists

You do not need to do the work yourself. Bring trusted people into the story.

Painters and handypeople for quick fixes
Electricians for light swaps
Gardeners for front appeal
Cleaners for a deep reset
Stylists for furniture and art

Offer a clear scope and a simple timeline. Keep everyone in the loop. Thank and credit them in the caption when appropriate.

Turn success into a case study

One strong case study can win many listings.

Headline. A small kitchen refresh that lifted buyer interest
Problem. Dark and dated
Plan. Paint, handles, lights, styling
Process. Two days
Result. More groups at the first open and stronger offers
Photos. Three pairs
Call to action. Book a free pre sale consult

Save it as a one page PDF you can print or attach to emails.

Ethical and safety reminders

Be honest. Show real results with true colours and scale
Respect privacy. Hide personal items and ask before you post
Respect tenancies. Follow access rules and give proper notice
Keep safety first. No photos of unsafe works in progress

Your next steps this week

Pick one past listing with a visible change
Ask the owner for permission to share the images
Recreate two pairs from your old files or revisit to reshoot
Build a simple carousel and a short reel
Post them with a clear call to action
Add the set to your proposal and to a website gallery
Start a folder that will grow with each success

Final word

Before and after photos do more than show a tidy room. They prove that smart preparation changes how a home feels and sells. With a tiny plan and a repeatable process you can create assets that lift trust, attract new clients, and help your listings stand out. Start with one room. Keep your angles the same. Tell the story in simple words. Share the result everywhere. Over time you will build a library of proof that makes the choice to hire you feel easy.

Author Ken Hobson
ken@agentslibrary.com.au