In 2025, rapid advances in technology and shifts in buyer behavior are reshaping the real estate photography industry. These changes introduce fresh ideas and creative approaches for real estate marketing professionals. So, what are the key real estate photography trends to watch this year? Let’s explore them together with Picpee in this article.

1. Why Real Estate Photography Trends Matter?

Real estate photography isn’t just about taking pictures - it’s about capturing attention, building trust, and driving sales. As buyer preferences and technology evolve, staying updated with the latest real estate photography trends ensures your listings remain competitive and appealing.

• Boosts property sales: Professional, trend-aligned photos help listings stand out and sell faster.
• Increases online engagement: Eye-catching images lead to higher click-through rates on property portals and social media.
• Builds buyer trust: Authentic and modern visuals create confidence, reducing skepticism about the property.
• Strengthens brand reputation: Agents and photographers who adapt to new trends position themselves as industry leaders.

2. The Biggest Real Estate Photography Trends in 2025

2.1 Use AI-powered editing tools

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming more popular and familiar to everyone. AI is integrated, used and changing every industry, including real estate photography. Real estate agents are starting to look for AI real estate editing tools to improve image quality faster. 85% of real estate agents today report that they have used AI tools for their marketing. 

With just 1 click, you can perform tasks such as sky replacement, object removal, HDR editing, virtual staging, ... to help streamline workflow and save time. Besides, using AI also helps them save budget.

So the question here is "Can AI replace humans in photo editing?". It is true that AI can help edit photos faster. But AI cannot replace human creativity and craftsmanship. AI can be an assistant, but not a replacement for humans.

2.2 3D tour and augmented reality

One of the real estate photography trends is 3D Tours and Augmented Reality. These virtual reality experiences have attracted more buyers than videos and photos. With VR, buyers can move anywhere in the home, providing a more immersive experience than traditional photos. This will give them a more realistic experience before they even come to see the property in person. In fact, listings with virtual tours close 31% faster, and can even sell properties without the buyer ever having to see them in person.

However, 3D tours and virtual reality are not used much in real estate photography. This technology is more popular in the architecture and interior design industry.

2.3 Video is dominating

We’re living in the “video era,” where from TikTok to Instagram to YouTube, everyone is obsessed with immersive footage. And real estate is no exception. In Los Angeles, agents are spending big on high-quality, engaging videos.

But wait, it’s not just a matter of shooting a few scenes and getting a great video! Buyers today are demanding videos that have engaging content and smooth transitions.

So, if your service is still limited to photography, it’s time to “level up.” Videos are now just as important as photos in closing deals.

2.4 Virtual staging

Virtual staging is becoming increasingly popular because it offers flexibility and cost savings in presenting real estate, especially vacant homes. Virtual staging helps customers easily visualize life in a new space. At the same time, it also makes real estate listings stand out from empty, boring spaces.

Instead of spending huge amounts of money on furniture rental and transportation, virtual staging allows you to turn an empty house into a complete living space in just a few clicks. Up to 97% cheaper than traditional staging. This is the real estate photography trend that many agents apply.

2.5 Drone real estate photography: New rules

Moving into 2025, drone photography continues to be one of the most important tools in real estate marketing. Thanks to the ability to capture frames from above, drones give buyers a panoramic view of real estate. Not stopping at the exterior, drones also support filming interiors and create vivid virtual tours, bringing a true sense of space movement. These unique angles have elevated the way real estate is presented, making each listing impressive and different.

However, along with that comes challenges in terms of legal regulations and flight safety. In the near future, we may see tightening requirements, from commercial insurance to additional FAA certification.

"Most recently, while filming in Malibu, I was unexpectedly stopped by the Los Angeles Police Department and warned that this flight area was in a restricted area, even though the DJI device did not notify me." (A professional drone pilot shared).

So, don’t be complacent and stay up to date on new regulations. The drone market is changing rapidly, and to stay compliant and protect your business, thorough preparation is a must.

2.6 Vertical videos and photos

Vertical photos and videos are photos/videos shot in a vertical aspect ratio, optimized for display on smartphone screens. It sounds simple, but this is an increasingly important trend in real estate photography. According to NAR’s 2023 Homebuyer and Seller Generational Trends Report, although the majority of buyers turn to real estate agents for information, searching on a mobile device or tablet has risen to second place. Notable number: 73% of buyers use a phone or tablet during the home search process.

This is also an ideal format to exploit on social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts – where real estate content is increasingly going viral.

2.7 HDR & Flambient Lighting Techniques

In real estate photography, achieving natural-looking, well-lit images is crucial. Two prevalent techniques - High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Flambient - offer distinct approaches to balancing natural and artificial lighting.

HDR Photography involves capturing multiple exposures of the same scene and merging them to create a single image with a wide dynamic range. This method ensures that both the interior and exterior elements are well-exposed. However, HDR can sometimes result in images that appear over-processed or unnatural, with exaggerated colors and lighting effects.

Flambient Photography, on the other hand, combines flash and ambient light exposures. By blending a flash-lit image with an ambient-lit one, photographers can achieve a balanced exposure that maintains the natural ambiance of the scene. This technique often results in images that are more realistic and visually appealing, preserving true color accuracy and depth.

Buyers today increasingly prefer authentic representations of properties. Over-edited HDR images can sometimes create a disconnect, leading to skepticism about the property's true appearance. Flambient photography, with its emphasis on natural lighting and accurate color reproduction, aligns more closely with buyer expectations, fostering trust and engagement.

2.8 Twilight Photography & Day-to-Dusk Conversions

Twilight photography captures properties during the “golden hour,” when warm, soft lighting creates a welcoming and dramatic atmosphere. This technique emphasizes the exterior appeal, outdoor spaces, and architectural details, often resulting in more engaging listing photos.

• Case Example 1: A suburban home shot at sunset highlights the warm glow of the interior lights and the landscaped garden. The listing receives significantly more clicks than daytime photos.
• Case Example 2: Using day-to-dusk conversion editing, a photographer transforms a midday exterior shot into a stunning twilight scene without having to reshoot. This saves time and cost while achieving the same visual impact.

By leveraging twilight shots or day-to-dusk conversions, agents can showcase properties with cinematic appeal while maintaining cost efficiency, creating images that attract more potential buyers.

3. FAQs

3.1 Why are vertical photos becoming more popular?

A: Because most buyers search on mobile, vertical images fit perfectly on screens and social media.

3.2 Is video more important than photos now?

A: Both are essential, but cinematic property videos boost engagement and emotional connection.

3.3 Are 3D tours still trending?

A: Yes, they remain key for buyers who want to explore properties remotely and in detail.

3.4 How does AI impact real estate photography?

A: AI speeds up editing, enhances images automatically, and can even generate staged interiors.

3.5 Why is lifestyle photography gaining attention?

A: It helps buyers imagine how they’d actually live in the space, not just see empty rooms.

3.6 Are short-form videos useful for real estate?

A: Absolutely. TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts are powerful for grabbing attention fast.

3.7 What’s the next big innovation to watch?

A: Augmented reality – letting buyers place furniture or virtually walk through a space in real time.

Conclusion

In short, as technology continues to advance, the real estate photography industry will keep evolving to meet user demands. Emerging trends like AI, VR, 3D tours, video, vertical photography, and advanced real estate photo editing bring both opportunities and challenges for property sellers. Staying updated with these innovations will help you stay ahead of the curve and stand out in today’s competitive market.

How do you see the future of the real estate industry? Share your thoughts with us!