There are a few reasons why real estate headshots can sometimes appear fake or overly-produced:
Excessive editing:
- Heavy smoothing and airbrushing: This can blur out wrinkles, blemishes, and other imperfections, creating an unrealistic, almost doll-like appearance.
- Overly bright teeth and eyes: This can be achieved through editing software and can make the headshot look unnatural.
- Excessive sharpening: This can make the headshot look overly crisp and defined, especially when combined with other editing techniques.
Lighting and posing:
- Studio lighting: Real estate headshots are often taken in studios with carefully controlled lighting, which can create a more artificial look than natural light.
- Forced smiles and unnatural poses: Agents may be coached to smile in a certain way or hold their body in a specific position that doesn't feel natural, making the headshot look posed and inauthentic.
Backgrounds and props:
- Generic backgrounds: Many real estate headshots use the same bland backgrounds, which can make them look generic and unmemorable.
- Staged props: Some headshots may use props like books, coffee mugs, or flowers to suggest the agent's personality or interests, but these can come across as forced and inauthentic.
However, it's important to note that not all real estate headshots look fake. Some agents choose to have more natural-looking headshots that are less heavily edited and use softer lighting and more relaxed posing. These headshots can be just as effective in conveying professionalism and trustworthiness, while still appearing genuine.
Here are some tips for choosing a real estate headshot photographer:
- Look for a photographer who specializes in real estate headshots. This photographer will be familiar with the types of headshots that work well for this industry and can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.
- Ask to see the photographer's portfolio. This will give you a sense of their style and whether they tend to produce more natural or more edited headshots.
- Discuss your expectations with the photographer upfront. Let them know what you're looking for in your headshot and be sure you're on the same page about things like editing and posing.
By following these tips, you can choose a real estate headshot photographer who will help you create a headshot that is both professional and authentic.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.