Local Insights & Guides

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Tips, neighbourhood guides, and real talk on real estate photography for Vancouver realtors and agents.

Yaletown · Condo Photography

What to Expect From a Real Estate Shoot in a Yaletown Condo

Small spaces, big light challenges. Here's how we prep and shoot a downtown Vancouver condo for MLS, from arrival to delivery in under 24 hours.

Apr 12, 2025 · 5 min read Read →

Virtual Twilight · Tips

Why Vancouver Realtors Are Switching to Virtual Twilight Photos

No more booking an evening shoot. How digital twilight conversion creates a scroll-stopping MLS hero shot, and why agents in Kitsilano and Coal Harbour are requesting it by default.

Apr 5, 2025 · 4 min read Read →

Burnaby · MLS Checklist

The 2025 MLS Photo Checklist for Burnaby & Tri-Cities Listings

REBGV photo requirements, optimal shoot timing, and how to prepare a Burnaby or Coquitlam home for photography in under an hour.

Mar 28, 2025 · 6 min read Read →
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Yaletown · Condo Photography

What to Expect From a Real Estate Shoot in a Yaletown Condo

Apr 12, 2025 · 5 min read · Vancouver, BC

Yaletown is one of Vancouver's most photogenic neighbourhoods, and also one of its most challenging to photograph. The units are sleek, the light is often north-facing, and the spaces are compact. If you're a realtor booking your first shoot here, here's exactly what to expect.

Before We Arrive

We ask every client to complete our Homeowner Prep Checklist before we show up. For a Yaletown condo specifically, these are the things that matter most:

  • Clear all countertops completely (kitchen and bathroom)
  • Open every blind and roller shade fully
  • Turn on all lights, including under-cabinet and accent lighting
  • Remove personal items (photos, toiletries, mail)
  • Tuck away power cables and chargers

The cleaner the space, the fewer retouches are needed and the faster delivery happens.

💡 Pro tip: In Yaletown, units with south-facing exposure photograph best between 10am–1pm. North-facing units benefit from overcast days. We'll advise on timing when you book.

The Shoot Itself

A standard Starter or Standard package condo shoot in Yaletown takes 60–90 minutes on-site. We work room by room, adjusting lighting and composition for each space. Unlike many photographers who shoot wide and flatten the room, we blend natural light with ambient interior lighting to create warmth and depth.

Rooms we always prioritize:

  • Living room with city or water view (hero shot)
  • Kitchen (island or peninsula if available)
  • Master bedroom (clean, natural light)
  • Bathrooms (we stage these with towels and minimal decor)
  • Building amenities if relevant (gym, rooftop, lobby)

Turnaround & Delivery

All Yaletown condo shoots are delivered within 24 hours via a private Pixieset link, fully edited, MLS-ready, and optimized for both web and print. You'll receive both compressed (MLS upload) and full-resolution (print and social) versions.

📐 Need floor plans? We offer 2D floor plans as an add-on for $125, generated using CubiCasa technology during the same appointment. Most Yaletown realtors add this on since REBGV listings with floor plans consistently see more inquiries.

Ready to Book?

If you have a Yaletown listing coming up, we're typically available with 48 hours notice. Use the button below to check availability and book directly.

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Virtual Twilight · Tips

Why Vancouver Realtors Are Switching to Virtual Twilight Photos

Apr 5, 2025 · 4 min read · Vancouver, BC

The hero shot of a listing (the one image that shows up as the thumbnail on MLS) can make or break how many clicks your listing gets. In a crowded market like Vancouver where dozens of condos list every week, the twilight exterior has become the new standard for standing out.

What Is Virtual Twilight?

Virtual twilight (also called photo-realistic sky replacement or digital twilight conversion) takes a standard daytime exterior photo and digitally transforms it into a warm sunset or dusk scene. The sky is replaced, interior lights are added using advanced compositing, and the overall image takes on the golden warmth of the "magic hour."

The result looks indistinguishable from an actual twilight shoot, without requiring you to book an 8pm appointment or paying a premium for a separate evening session.

Why Agents in Vancouver Are Requesting It

  • Scroll-stopping on MLS: Surrounded by bright daylight shots, a warm twilight image immediately catches the eye.
  • No scheduling hassle: Twilight shoots require perfect weather and tight timing. Virtual conversion removes both constraints.
  • More consistent results: Actual twilight windows are narrow (15–20 minutes). Virtual conversion is controlled and repeatable.
  • Cost-effective: We charge just $25 per image, a fraction of what a dedicated evening shoot costs.

🌇 Best suited for: Homes with meaningful exterior street presence (detached homes in Kitsilano, West Vancouver, or North Vancouver with landscaping and curb appeal) benefit most from this treatment.

What We Need From You

Virtual twilight is performed on the exterior hero shot from your shoot. Just let us know when booking that you'd like this add-on, and we'll ensure we capture the right angles and exposure to make the conversion seamless.

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Burnaby · MLS Checklist

The 2025 MLS Photo Checklist for Burnaby & Tri-Cities Listings

Mar 28, 2025 · 6 min read · Vancouver, BC

Whether you're listing a Metrotown condo or a detached home in Coquitlam, the REBGV has clear standards for MLS photo quality, and buyers in this market have come to expect polished, professional imagery. Here's the complete checklist we recommend to every Burnaby and Tri-Cities realtor we work with.

REBGV Photo Requirements (2025)

  • Minimum 1 photo required; recommended 15–40 for residential
  • Photos must accurately represent the property at time of listing
  • Minimum resolution: 640 × 480px; recommended 2000px+ on the long edge
  • Virtual staging is permitted if clearly labelled as such
  • Floor plans are not required but significantly increase inquiry rates

The Pre-Shoot Prep Checklist

Kitchen

  • Clear all countertops (remove toasters, dish racks, sponges)
  • Clean sink (no dishes)
  • Remove fridge magnets and notes
  • Open cabinet doors if they have interior lighting

Living & Dining Areas

  • Vacuum and fluff all cushions
  • Remove excess furniture if the room feels crowded
  • Open all blinds and curtains fully
  • Replace burnt-out bulbs (warm white preferred)

Bedrooms

  • Make all beds with clean linens
  • Clear nightstands to just a lamp
  • Hide personal items in drawers
  • Open closet doors only if they reveal a walk-in wardrobe

Bathrooms

  • Remove all personal care products from countertops
  • Replace with a single plant or folded towel for staging
  • Clean mirrors and glass surfaces thoroughly
  • Put toilet lid down

Exterior

  • Move all vehicles from driveway and street in front of property
  • Remove garbage bins, garden hoses, toys
  • Mow lawn and trim hedges if needed
  • Power wash driveway if applicable

⏱️ Timing tip: For Burnaby homes facing east or south, we recommend a 10am–12pm shoot window in spring and summer for the best natural light on the exterior.

What Happens After the Shoot

We deliver all photos within 24 hours via a private, download-ready Pixieset gallery. Each listing receives two sets of files: MLS-optimized (compressed for upload) and full resolution (for print and social media). If you ordered a 2D floor plan, that arrives in the same gallery as a PNG and PDF.