The Complete Guide to Real Estate Photography in Olympia, WA: What Every Agent Needs to Know
If you're a real estate agent in Olympia or anywhere in Thurston County, you already know that first impressions are everything. And in today's market, that first impression happens online—before a potential buyer ever steps foot in a property.
We've worked with hundreds of agents throughout Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and the surrounding areas, and I can tell you this with absolute certainty: professional real estate photography isn't just a nice-to-have anymore. It's the difference between a listing that sits on the market for months and one that generates multiple offers in the first week.
Let me walk you through everything you need to know about real estate photography in Olympia and why it matters so much for your business.
Why Professional Real Estate Photography Matters in the Olympia Market
Here's something that might surprise you: according to the National Association of Realtors, 87% of home buyers start their search online. That means your listing photos aren't just part of your marketing—they ARE your marketing.
In Thurston County specifically, we're seeing a market that's competitive but selective. Buyers have options, and they're scrolling through dozens of listings before they ever pick up the phone. If your photos don't stop the scroll, you've already lost the sale.
I've seen it happen time and time again. An agent lists a beautiful home in the South Capitol neighborhood or out in Lacey with iPhone photos or dark, poorly composed images. The house sits. They drop the price. It still sits. Then they bring us in, we reshoot it properly, and suddenly there's interest. Same house. Better photos. Totally different result.
What Makes Real Estate Photography "Professional"?
You might be thinking, "I've got a pretty good camera on my phone—can't I just take the photos myself?" Technically, yes. Should you? Probably not.
Professional real estate photography isn't just about having expensive equipment (though that helps). It's about understanding composition, lighting, angles, and how to make spaces look inviting and spacious. It's knowing which rooms to prioritize and how to style a shot so buyers can imagine themselves living there.
Proper Equipment Makes a Difference
At Power Homes Media, we use professional wide-angle lenses that capture entire rooms without that weird fisheye distortion you see in amateur photos. We use tripods for stability and consistent framing. We bracket our exposures to ensure every window view is visible and no corner is too dark to see.
But here's the thing—the equipment is just the starting point. What really matters is knowing how to use it.
Understanding Light in Pacific Northwest Homes
Anyone who's lived in Olympia knows that our weather can be... let's call it "moody." Gray skies, rain, and limited natural light for half the year means we have to be strategic about how we photograph homes.
We've photographed everything from cozy craftsman homes downtown to sprawling properties out in Yelm, and each one presents unique lighting challenges. Sometimes we're working with tons of natural light from big windows overlooking Capitol Lake. Other times, we're in a darker rambler that needs careful lighting to look warm and inviting.
Professional photographers know how to balance interior lights with natural light, how to avoid blown-out windows, and how to make even a basement feel bright and welcoming.
What's Included in a Professional Real Estate Photography Package
When you hire us at Power Homes Media (or any professional real estate photography service), you should expect more than just someone showing up with a camera. Here's what a complete package looks like:
Exterior Photos
We always start outside. Curb appeal matters, and your exterior shots are often the thumbnail image potential buyers see first when scrolling through listings. We'll capture the front of the home from multiple angles, showcase any outdoor living spaces, gardens, or unique features, and make sure the yard looks its best.
Interior Room Photos
Every room gets attention. We're talking living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms, dining areas, offices, bonus rooms—if it's part of the home, we photograph it. Each room typically gets 2-3 shots from different angles to show the full layout and feel of the space.
For Olympia homes, we pay special attention to those features buyers in our area love: updated kitchens with granite or quartz counters, cozy fireplaces for our rainy winters, master suites with spa-like bathrooms, and any bonus spaces that make a home special.
Detail Shots
This is where we capture those selling points that make a property unique. Crown molding, hardwood floors, custom tile work, built-in shelving, modern fixtures—these details tell the story of quality and craftsmanship.
Editing and Enhancement
Raw photos straight from the camera rarely look their best. Professional editing includes color correction, brightness and contrast adjustments, straightening vertical lines (because nobody wants walls that look like they're leaning), and removing any distracting elements.
At Power Homes Media, we also offer day-to-dusk editing, which transforms exterior photos to look like they were taken during golden hour—without us having to wait around for perfect lighting conditions. This is especially valuable for homes with great outdoor lighting or views.
How Many Photos Does Your Listing Actually Need?
This is one of the most common questions we get from agents, especially those new to working with professional photographers.
The answer depends on the size and price point of the home, but here's a good rule of thumb:
Homes under 1,500 sq ft: 20-25 photos
Homes 1,500-2,500 sq ft: 25-35 photos
Homes 2,500-4,000 sq ft: 35-50 photos
Luxury homes over 4,000 sq ft: 50+ photos
More isn't always better, though. You want enough photos to tell the complete story of the home without overwhelming buyers with redundant shots. Every photo should serve a purpose and showcase something meaningful about the property.
Timing Matters: Why 24-Hour Turnaround Is a Game-Changer
Here's something we're really proud of at Power Homes Media: our 24-hour turnaround time.
Why does this matter? Because in real estate, timing is everything. When you're ready to list a property, you don't want to wait three or four days for photos to come back. The market moves fast, and your sellers are anxious to get their home listed.
We've built our entire workflow around speed without sacrificing quality. We shoot in the morning, edit in the afternoon, and deliver your full gallery within 24 hours. That means you can shoot on Monday and have your listing live on Tuesday.
For agents in Olympia working with multiple listings, this kind of turnaround time is invaluable. You're not juggling multiple photographers, waiting for files, or dealing with delays. You know exactly when you'll have your photos, and you can plan your listing schedule accordingly.
The Olympia Market: What Buyers Are Looking For
Understanding our local market helps us photograph homes in a way that appeals to Thurston County buyers.
Olympia attracts a diverse mix of buyers: state employees, Joint Base Lewis-McChord families, tech workers who can work remotely, retirees looking for a quieter pace than Seattle, and families wanting good schools and outdoor access.
These buyers value:
Character and charm: Many Olympia homes have unique architectural details, and we make sure to highlight them
Outdoor spaces: With all our parks, trails, and proximity to Puget Sound, outdoor living areas are a major selling point
Natural light: Even in our gray climate, buyers want bright, welcoming spaces
Modern updates: Renovated kitchens and bathrooms are huge selling points in our market
Functional layouts: Open concepts and good flow between rooms matter to local buyers
When we photograph homes in Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, or any surrounding area, we're thinking about what local buyers want to see and how to present it in the most appealing way.
Common Photography Mistakes That Hurt Your Listings
I've seen a lot of listing photos over the years—the good, the bad, and the truly unfortunate. Here are the mistakes that hurt listings the most:
Too Dark or Too Bright
Photos that are underexposed make homes look dingy and uninviting. Photos that are overexposed blow out details and make everything look washed out. Professional photographers know how to nail the exposure every time.
Wrong Angles
Shooting from standing height makes rooms look smaller. Shooting too low makes everything look distorted. Professional photographers typically shoot from about chest height with a wide-angle lens positioned in corners or doorways to maximize the sense of space.
Cluttered Spaces
This isn't entirely a photography issue, but it affects the final result. Homes need to be staged and decluttered before photography. We can make a room look beautiful, but we can't remove personal items, clutter, or mess in a way that looks natural.
Ignoring Vertical Lines
Nothing screams "amateur" like walls that lean in or door frames that aren't straight. Professional photographers ensure all vertical lines are properly aligned.
Inconsistent Style
When you mix photos from different devices or different times of day, your listing looks disjointed. Professional photography ensures every image has a consistent look, color balance, and quality level.
Beyond Basic Photography: Additional Services That Help Listings Sell
At Power Homes Media, we're not just about photography—we're about providing everything you need to market a listing effectively. That's why we're a full-service real estate media company.
Video Walkthroughs
While photos show individual rooms, video gives buyers a sense of flow and layout. We create listing highlight videos that showcase homes in a dynamic, engaging way that photos alone can't achieve.
Drone Photography
For properties with acreage, great views, or unique positioning, drone photography provides perspective that ground-level shots simply can't. This is especially valuable for rural properties around Thurston County or waterfront homes.
360 Virtual Tours
These interactive tours let buyers explore a home at their own pace from anywhere in the world. This is especially valuable for out-of-area buyers or for generating initial interest before in-person showings.
Floor Plans
Helping buyers understand the layout of a home is crucial. We provide professional floor plans that give a bird's-eye view of how spaces connect and flow.
Virtual Staging
For vacant properties, virtual staging shows the potential of empty rooms without the cost of physical staging. This can be a game-changer for vacant listings that need help selling.
How to Prepare a Home for Photography
To get the best results from your photography session, here's what we recommend:
The day before:
Deep clean everything—floors, windows, counters, bathrooms
Declutter all surfaces and remove personal items
Remove any visible cords, small appliances, and unnecessary items from counters
Make all beds with neutral, clean bedding
Clear the front entrance and porch area
The morning of:
Turn on all lights throughout the house
Open all blinds and curtains to let in natural light
Hide trash cans and pet items
Remove cars from the driveway and garage
Do a final walk-through to ensure everything looks perfect
The better prepared a home is, the better your photos will look. We can work with almost any situation, but a well-prepared home photographs dramatically better than one where we're working around clutter and mess.
What to Look for When Choosing a Real Estate Photographer in Olympia
If you're comparing photographers, here's what to consider:
Portfolio Quality: Look at their previous work. Do the photos look professional, bright, and inviting? Can you see yourself wanting to visit those homes?
Turnaround Time: How quickly can they deliver your photos? Waiting a week for photos costs you time and momentum.
Services Offered: Do they only do photography, or can they provide video, drone, virtual tours, and other services you might need?
Local Knowledge: Do they understand the Olympia market and what makes homes in Thurston County appealing?
Pricing Transparency: Are their packages clear, or are there hidden fees and upcharges?
Reliability: Can you count on them to show up on time and deliver what they promise?
Investing in Your Success
Here's the bottom line: professional real estate photography is an investment in your success as an agent. It's not an expense—it's a marketing tool that directly impacts how quickly homes sell and for how much.
We've seen it over and over again in the Olympia market. Agents who consistently use professional photography get better results. Their listings generate more interest, they get more showings, and they close deals faster.
Your sellers deserve the best possible presentation of their home. Buyers deserve to see properties in the best light (literally and figuratively). And you deserve marketing materials that make your job easier and help you stand out in a competitive market.
At Power Homes Media, we're here to help you succeed. We know the Thurston County market, we understand what buyers want to see, and we're committed to delivering exceptional quality with fast turnaround times.
Whether you're listing a charming bungalow in downtown Olympia, a family home in Lacey, or a sprawling property out in rural Thurston County, we've got the expertise and equipment to showcase it beautifully.
Ready to elevate your listings? Let's talk about how professional photography can transform your real estate business.
