When it comes to marketing a property, the quality of the photography and the way in which interiors and exteriors are presented can be the beginning or end of a sale. Photos are a buyer's first impression and the key to a first viewing. So how can you make sure you get them right?

Says Savills country property photographer Justin Paget:

• Keep those lights off. Shooting for Country Life magazine taught me that getting rid of artificial lighting allows the natural colours of interiors to shine through.
• Let the room breathe. Move excess furniture out and try not to let anything block the flow through.
• Be patient. Waiting a few extra days for the right weather can make a huge difference to the exterior photos, though it's worth adding that I always prefer shooting interiors on an overcast day.

Says Savills London property photographer Nick Moyler:

• Space in London, where rooms tend to be smaller, is often the main constraint, so don’t exacerbate the issue with clutter. Clear surfaces and clean lines are best. When it comes to books, bowls on coffee tables, and so on – less is more.
• Rooms definitely look their best when not artificially lit and clean windows and fewer curtains or blinds covering the windows helps. Obviously, getting enough natural light is trickier in winter so it's essential to shoot at the right time of day. However, if you do decide to use artificial light, make sure there are no broken light bulbs as this can make the light uneven across the room.
• London gardens also tend to be smaller and are often shaded by either their own house or neighbouring ones. Therefore photography needs to be arranged for the right time of day to ensure there is as much light hitting the garden as possible.

Vendors of larger country houses don’t need to stop at photographs: nowadays a drone can capture the whole property in a succinct video, allowing the owner to convey a lot of information far more quickly and efficiently. And a video is not just about selling the house: it’s also about selling a lifestyle and the wider area – something which photographs alone cannot achieve, no matter how well they are styled and lit.

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