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NDP Atlanta — Operations Playbook

Photo Basics

The field crash course. Settings, setup, framing, shot counts.

Version August 2026 — v1
Owner Eric Nystrom
Contents 7 sections
Start Here
The 4 Rules
The Shoot
1Camera Settings 2Tripod Setup 3Composition 4Shots by Package 5Prep the House
Reference
On-Site Checklist

The 4 Rules

Every shoot, every house

Cover every space

One shot minimum per room. Show the whole house.

Show 3 walls

Three walls tells the buyer how big the room is.

Frame with intent

Be deliberate. No spray and pray.

Delete as you go

Dump bad frames on site. Leave with only deliverables.

1

Camera Settings

Dial in before you get out of the car

Settings

  • Mode Manual
  • ISO 200-400
  • Aperture F7.1-8
  • Color space sRGB
  • Ratio 4/3 or 3/2
  • White balance AWB
  • Self timer 2 sec

Horizontals only

Landscape for everything, unless the realtor asks for a vertical.

High res JPG

No RAW.

Why the 2 second timer

Lets the camera settle so your hand shake is not baked into the bracket.

2

Tripod Setup

4 to 4.5 ft, level, locked down

4 to 4.5 ft is the average. Drop lower in small bathrooms, raise in large kitchens. Balance ceiling against floor:

Too much ceiling
Balanced
Too much floor
Non negotiable

Tripod level, verticals straight with the frame, and tightened so nothing shifts between exposures.

3

Composition

How to frame the room

Two angles

  • Angled: shoot from a corner toward the opposite corner. Makes the room look large and rectangular.
  • Straight-on: use for variety. Formal, regal feel.

Avoid

  • Anything awkwardly cut off at the edges of the frame
  • Backs of furniture, and cutting off furniture
  • Foreground distractions like lamp shades and door handles
Must capture

Key features clearly visible in at least one angle: fireplaces, built-ins, and anything the realtor or homeowner points out.

4

Shots by Package

Guidelines, not hard limits
Pack X
15
17 max
  • 2Exteriors (1 front, 1 back)
  • 2-3Living areas
  • 2-3Kitchen
  • 1Dining
  • 1Each bathroom
  • 2-3Master bedroom
  • 1Each add'l bedroom
  • 1Laundry
  • +Amenities if pictures left
Pack A
25
27 max
  • 4-6Exteriors
  • 2-3Each living area
  • 2-3Kitchen
  • 1-2Dining
  • 1Each bathroom
  • 2-3Master bedroom
  • 1-2Each add'l bedroom
  • 1Laundry
  • +Amenities
Pack B
35
37 max
  • 6-9Exteriors
  • 2-3Each living area
  • 2-3Kitchen
  • 1-2Dining
  • 1-2Each bathroom
  • 2-3Master bedroom
  • 1-2Each add'l bedroom
  • 1Laundry
  • +Amenities / other
Pack C
45
47 max
  • 8-12Exteriors
  • 2-3Each living area
  • 3-4Kitchen
  • 1-2Dining
  • 1-2Each bathroom
  • 3-4Master bedroom
  • 2-3Master bath
  • 2Each add'l bedroom
  • 1Laundry
  • +Amenities
Remember
  • Never under-deliver on photo counts.
  • Anything above the max count goes in a DO NOT EDIT folder inside your raw media folder.
5

Prep the House

Walk it before the camera comes out

Lights on

All of them, whole house

Blinds up

Curtains open, blinds raised

Toilet seats

Down, every bathroom

Clutter

Clear or hide it

Trash bins

Out of view

Cars

Ask politely to clear the driveway

Doors

Open where possible

Closets

Closed unless walk-in

Pets

Ask politely to move them out

On-Site Checklist

Tap to check off as you go
0 / 0

Before you shoot

While you shoot

Before you leave