With almost everyone in the country having the ability to snap photos at a second’s notice, photography has become an art form for the masses. As millions struggle to take the perfect image for their camera roll, social media “tricks of the trade” have become a sort of virtual currency.

However, one thing that is often overlooked based in Park City, Utah, is a more local approach to photography. With millions of cookie-cooker tips and tricks for emerging photographers found all over the internet, few contributors actually focus on a specific area or group.

Luckily for residents and visitors in Park City, we had the opportunity to talk with local photographer Marc Estabrook of Estabrook photography to discuss his top tips and secrets for amazing Park City photography. Estabrook Photography is currently a four-person team specializing in real estate and corporate events based in Park City, Utah.

The Best Spots in Town to Take a Photo

We started by talking to Marc about the most critical subject for Park City photography: the best spots around the city to take a photo.
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“The most popular photography spot in Park City is, by far, the historic McPolin Barn,” he said.

“This expansive city-owned parcel offers streams, fields, barns, silos, old pieces of farm equipment and bridges all within an easy walk from one scenic spot to another. On any given evening you’ll find families, couples, brides, and seniors there for photography sessions. As with most locations, late afternoon – early evening lighting provides the most pleasing conditions for photography.”

A few miles north of the city, McPolin Barn is also a great hiking area of moderate difficulty. Those looking to make a day of their photography trip can take the McPolin Farm Trailhead to hike up the nearby Quarry Mountain.

Another excellent photography spot Marc recommends is Historic Main Street.

“While often busy with traffic and pedestrians, there are endless opportunities for photos that speak ‘Park City.’ While less historic, we like to use the inner courtyards near lower Main Street; it’s never crowded and the tall buildings offer shade and pleasant indirect lighting,” he said.

“Near lower Main Street is the iconic ‘hanging shoe tree’ – a tree which, for reasons still unknown to me, people have made a tradition of throwing their old shoes into the branches – where they dangle by their shoelaces,” he added. “The tree itself isn’t very photogenic, but the walkways below it, complete with a running stream, can make for lovely photos.”

Business Photography

While those spots may be great for most photographers, those looking to take photos for business reasons may need to look elsewhere. As many people in real estate know, the difference between a property receiving an offer can often be the listing photos.

Simple errors in photography on real estate listings can significantly impact the professionalism and overall feeling around your listing.

Since the most considerable portion of Marc’s business is rental properties, he has significant insight into what works for real estate photography.

“This type of photography no longer consists solely of still images; while those remain the most essential part of marketing vacation rentals, most real estate photography companies now also offer 3D ‘walk-through’ tours, aerial photography and occasionally full video production,” he said.

“When our team photographs a vacation rental, we try to put ourselves in the shoes of the client and owner – and think what images will flatter the property, what amenities are important to capture, and generally how to present the unit in its best light.”

A significant key to real estate is personalization. Every person that is looking to buy or rent a house wants to make it uniquely their own. If you can find a way to convey the uniqueness and exceptionality of the space through photography, then you can make clients fall in love with the property.

How to Make Your Pictures Look Professional

As for general best practices, Marc had a few things to add for those looking to have their listing come off a bit more professionally.

“We try to shoot at a time of day when direct sunlight is not coming straight through the windows. We open all the blinds and turn on all the lights. We photograph each room, with the larger rooms being shot from all corners and other angles as appropriate. We’ll shoot the views, which are very important – nothing will help market a property in Park City more than showing ski runs near the unit, for example,” he explained.

“We look at each room before we shoot it to make sure that chairs are straight, pillows haven’t fallen over, trash cans are hidden – things that, if missed, can be impossible or at least very time consuming to fix with digital editing tools. A few close-up vignettes can also add to a property’s appeal – maybe a shot of the knobs of a high-end cooktop, close-ups of nice faucets, or an image of luxurious pillows in the master bedroom.”

Having the right professionally-looking photos for your listing can make a massive difference in the amount of interest you receive from renters or buyers. Coming off as an industry professional can also help you build and maintain business in the area if you plan on renting or selling in the future.

We’re proud that Marc Estabrook Photography works with Jensen and Company to ensure that every listing is shown and photographed to showcase it’s best assets. If you’re looking to list your home , be assured that by going with our team you’re in the right place!