Okay, here’s a little story.
It’s a story of ambition, confidence, and a tragic misunderstanding of the zoom function.

Our hero’s name? Gary.
Gary is a real estate agent. A nice guy. Loves khakis. Thinks a venti iced mocha is “pretty edgy.” Gary recently landed a listing, a cute little two-bedroom home with decent bones and an unfortunate odor he swore “just adds character.”

Now, Gary was feeling good. He’d watched half a YouTube video on smartphone photography. He had a newer iPhone and once took a really good shot of his dog. So naturally, he decided to skip the professional photography. Why spend money when you can DIY, right?

Oh, Gary.

The “Photo Shoot”

Gary arrived at the property with coffee in hand and determination in his eyes. He flung open the front door like a man entering his destiny. The smell hit him like a truck, but he powered through.

He started in the kitchen, climbing onto the counters to get what he called “an overhead chef’s perspective.” He later referred to this style as “avant-garde.” He took a total of 73 photos, 41 of which featured his reflection in something, a microwave, a window, a shiny toaster.

The bathrooms? Let’s just say, if you’ve ever seen a photo where the agent is crouched in the corner like Gollum trying to avoid the mirror, yeah, that was Gary.

He turned on the flash. He turned off the flash. He tried portrait mode. One of the bedrooms ended up looking like it belonged in a true crime documentary.

And let’s not forget the exterior shots, which he took at exactly 12:04 p.m., ensuring the sunlight was at its most brutally unforgiving angle. Shadows fell like monsters across the lawn, and the grass looked more like a nuclear test site than a front yard.

The Fallout

Gary proudly uploaded the photos to the MLS.
He waited.
And waited.

No showings. No inquiries. Just one lonely “like” on the listing from a bot in Belarus.

Weeks passed. The seller started asking questions. Gary started sweating. And eventually, in a moment of humility (or maybe desperation), he made a call.

Enter: SmartShot Photo

Cue dramatic superhero entrance music.

We showed up with pro gear, a plan, and zero reflections of Gary in any surfaces. The lighting was perfect. The angles were flattering. We even threw in a stunning twilight edit and a crisp, clean floor plan.

Aerial drone shots captured the layout and neighborhood in one swoop. A SmartShot360 virtual tour lets buyers walk through the home online like they were playing the world’s calmest video game.

The listing was relaunched.
Three days later: multiple showings, three offers, and a contract.
Gary cried. Happy tears, but still.

The Moral of the Story

Okay, while this story is far-fetched, it’s not as far off as you might think.
Every day, listings hit the MLS with dim photos, awkward angles, cluttered rooms, and unintentional cameos from agents in bathroom mirrors. And every day, those listings get ignored, scrolled past, or low-balled.

Buyers shop with their eyes. And in this market, your photos aren’t just important—they’re your first showing.

And Now… the Shameless Plug 

If you’re still thinking, “Yeah, but I have a pretty decent phone,” stop. Put it down. Walk away slowly.

At SmartShot Photo, we specialize in making homes look their absolute best. Residential, commercial, aerial, virtual tours, floor plans, twilight edits—you name it, we shoot it.

So don’t be a Gary.
Be smart.
Be SmartShot.

👉 Click here to book your next shoot.

(That was our shameless plug. And we’re not even sorry.)