5 Tips for Taking Better Exterior Photos of Houses Using Your Smartphone

As an interior designer, photographing the exteriors of the homes you work on is just as important as showcasing the interiors. Capturing the essence of the property outside can provide your clients and potential customers with a complete picture of your design vision. Below are five tips for taking better exterior photos of houses using your smartphone.

1. Choose the Right Time of Day

Lighting is everything in photography, especially when capturing the exterior of a home. More important than when to shoot is when NOT to shoot. If at all possible, try and avoid midday shots, as harsh sunlight can create unflattering shadows and overexposed areas.

There are several ideal times to shoot instead. The golden hour is my favorite—the period shortly after sunrise or just before sunset. The soft, warm light during these times will enhance the home’s features, adding depth and dimension.

Another good time to shoot exteriors is on an overcast day. The clouds act as a natural diffuser, providing even, diffused lighting that can help soften harsh contrasts and give your photos a more balanced look. Overcast days will also allow subtle colors to pop since there is no harsh sun to wash them out.

An overcast day was an ideal time to shoot this house below in order to highlight the subtle gray/green trim.

For a different mood, try shooting during the blue hour, the time just before sunrise or after sunset when the sky takes on a cool, bluish tone. This period offers a more serene, dramatic atmosphere that can highlight the architecture and produce a warm glow from a well lit interior.

2. Find the Best Angle

The angle from which you shoot can make a significant difference in how the house looks in your photos. Try to step back a few steps and experiment with various angles.

If space allows, a shot taken from the corner of the property can highlight the depth and size of the house, giving it a more dynamic look.

Compare the two images below. Same house, two different angles.

The house below is very narrow so an angle shot is a better choice because it adds depth and dimension to the home.

Be sure to avoid awkward angles that might distort the perspective, such as shooting too close to the building or from a high vantage point. Standing too close to the house and tipping the phone upwards will cause major perspective problems.

3. Use Leading Lines and Framing

Great exterior photos often feature leading lines—elements like pathways, fences, or even rows of trees—that naturally guide the viewer’s eye toward the house. These lines can create a sense of depth and direct focus to the subject of the photo.

Similar to when choosing the right angle, this tip only applies when there is sufficient space and the landscaping includes leading lines.

Additionally, look for natural frames within the environment, such as doorways, windows, or archways. These framing techniques help draw attention to the house and can add an artistic touch to your image.

4. Keep the Composition Clean

When photographing the exterior of a house, it’s important to maintain a clean and uncluttered composition. Avoid distractions like trash bins, vehicles, or other clutter that might be in the frame. Make sure to tidy up the surroundings before taking the photo—clean lawns, trimmed bushes, and clear walkways will make a world of difference.

If there are elements in the frame that can’t be moved (like a parked car), try cropping or plan on editing them out later. It's easiest though to eliminate distractions before you take the photo. 

In the photo below, I arrived very early in the morning before the normally busy street was full of traffic and parked cars.

5. Editing is Key

After you’ve taken your photos, editing is an essential step in making them truly stand out. While a well-composed image can be stunning, some simple edits can bring your exterior shots to the next level.

Start by adjusting the brightness and contrast to ensure the house is well-lit without overexposing any areas. Increasing contrast can help the home’s details pop, making it look more vibrant and dynamic. Sharpness is another area to consider—crisp details help highlight the textures of the house, whether it’s brick, wood, or other architectural features.

Don't forget to enhance the saturation slightly to make the colors more vivid, especially when the grass or sky appears dull. However, it’s important to keep edits subtle; over-editing can result in unnatural, unrealistic images.

Finally, crop the photo if needed to remove any distractions and ensure the focus stays on the house. Many smartphones also offer a straighten tool to fix tilted horizons or vertical lines.

You can clearly see what a difference a few edits made in the before editing and after editing images below.

By keeping these five simple tips in mind, you can take better exterior photos that highlight the beauty and features of a home. So, grab your phone, head outside, and start experimenting with these techniques to capture stunning exterior shots!

Looking for tips to photograph interiors? Be sure to download my free guide "Five steps for better interior photos"