LIGHTS ON OR OFF?

There's no one-size-fits-all. It really comes down to preference and the situation each property poses. If the natural daylight is strong enough, my creative style generally prefers keeping the lights off and letting the sunlight flood in.

“WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?”

It’s one of the best ways to highlight the inherent architecture and design of the property. Artificial lighting from pot lights, pendants, and lamps, are simply not needed. Natural light sources alone, such as windows, are a wonderful way to invite the outdoors in and showcase how the natural light illuminates the inside. This lights-off approach evokes emotion and aids in visual storytelling, as seen in many high-end interior design publications. As a service, this is something I want to offer my clients who aim to take their marketing to the next level.

“I LIKE THE LIGHTS ON.”

Don’t get me wrong, I do too. They can add brightness and warmth. However, they’re difficult to control. The light being cast from artificial sources can overpower the scene with unwanted colours, shadows, and flares.

“WHY NOT BOTH?”

Ultimately, this approach can be distracting. Maintaining a consistent lighting scheme, whether on or off, allows for a more unified look. One burnt out bulb can disrupt the consistency of the entire photo set. An exception to this rule might be under-counter or cabinet lighting, which can be turned on to show as a deliberate design choice. However, even in these cases, artificial lighting can sometimes detract from the natural structure.

“IT’S TOO DIFFERENT.”

I totally understand. In the sea of everything being the same, particularly on the MLS, it’s hard to be the one that stands out with the lights off. However, if you want to be viewed as a high performing company, this is certainly a way we can do that.