In the world of professional real estate photography, there is a golden rule: We are selling space, not stuff. While a home might feel cozy and lived-in for a physical showing, that same "coziness" often translates to "clutter" through a wide-angle lens.
To capture the high-impact, airy images that stop the scroll in 2026, we have to embrace a "less is more" philosophy. Here is how to prepare your next Las Vegas listing for the camera.
1. Show Perspective, Not Patterns
We don't want a completely empty room—empty spaces can actually look smaller in photos because the eye has no point of reference. The goal is to use just enough furnishings, decor, and accents to provide a sense of scale and perspective. A single well-placed chair or a clean dining table helps a buyer visualize how their own life fits into the room without distracting them with personal items.
2. Open Up the Flow
Camera angles are fixed. To get the best shot, we need "sightlines." This means keeping floors clear and furniture pulled away from the walls or major walkways. When rooms are kept open and clutter-free, the camera can capture the true architectural flow of the home, making even modest Las Vegas properties feel expansive and high-end.
3. The 25% Rule for Surfaces
If a kitchen counter has a toaster, a blender, a knife block, and a spice rack, the photo will feel heavy and cramped. I recommend the 25% Rule: remove almost everything from your flat surfaces to highlight the actual counter space. Small appliances, spice racks, and mail piles can all go into the pantry.
Don't worry about missing a photo of the pantry itself—for just $25 (on homes under 3,500 sq. ft.), you can add a Zillow 3D Tour with Floorplan. This embeds directly into your Zillow listing and shows the pantry’s location and dimensions perfectly, allowing us to keep the main kitchen photos pristine.
4. The Master Suite "Closet Trick"
This same logic applies to the master bedroom and bath. To make these retreats feel like a spa, throw the hampers, vanity clutter, bath mats, and extra dressing chairs into the master closet. Because we are providing a digital floorplan, buyers will still see the scale and layout of that walk-in closet without it cluttering up your high-end architectural shots.
The Seasoned Pro Difference
Staging for a 2D photograph requires a deep understanding of depth and light. With 15 years of experience shooting in Southern Nevada, I can help you spot the "camera-killers" before we even click the shutter.
Don't overly fret if the home isn't 100% perfect. My experience allows me to "shoot away" from those inevitable imperfections while making the "almost perfect" areas of the home truly shine. I know exactly how to frame a shot to highlight a property's strengths while downplaying the flaws, ensuring your listing looks its absolute best.
Ready for a cleaner, faster-selling listing?
Book your professional shoot and Zillow 3D Tour at RCRdigital.com/#contact
