How AI Is Changing Real Estate Photography

By Bernard Kenol

Architecture Photography: Condo towers in Mississaugua

In the fast-moving world of real estate, first impressions matter. And often, those first

impressions come from photographs. With the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), real estate photography is undergoing a transformation—helping photographers improve image quality, save time, and present properties in the best possible light.

Solving Common Photography Challenges

Real estate photographers often face technical obstacles that can impact the final image:

• Lens distortion: Wide-angle lenses, commonly used to capture full rooms, can create curved or skewed lines, making walls and furniture appear bent or unnatural. AI tools now correct these distortions automatically, straightening lines and restoring architectural accuracy.

• Color accuracy and lighting: Different light sources and camera settings can affect the colors in an image, making white walls look yellowish or blue. AI-powered editing can correct color balance and ensure consistent, natural tones across all photos.

• Exposure blending: Rooms with bright windows and dark corners are difficult to shoot correctly in a single shot. AI can merge multiple exposures into one balanced image, keeping details in both highlights and shadows.

Example: Several platforms are emerging to support real estate photographers with these challenges. For instance, Fotello is a Canadian-based AI-powered service that offers automatic editing features like distortion correction, HDR merging, color adjustment, and even virtual twilight effects. Users can upload a photo set and receive ready-to-use, MLS-compliant images in minutes. Tools like this help streamline editing while maintaining visual quality and consistency.

• 
  

What Is "Staging" — And How AI Helps

Staging is the process of arranging furniture and décor in a home to make it more appealing to potential buyers. Traditionally, this involves hiring a designer and renting furnishings—a costly and time-consuming process. Now, AI can do virtual staging, digitally adding furniture, artwork, lighting, and even plants to empty rooms.

With just a few clicks, a bare apartment can be transformed into a warm and inviting living space, helping buyers visualize the potential of a property. Some advanced AI services even offer style customization, allowing agents to choose a modern, rustic, or minimalist look that fits their target audience.

The Future Is Smart

AI doesn’t replace the creative eye of a photographer—it enhances it. By automating tedious corrections and offering powerful tools like virtual staging, AI allows photographers to focus on composition, storytelling, and customer service.

As the technology evolves, we can expect real estate imagery to become faster, more affordable, and more visually compelling than ever before. The result? A better experience for both sellers and buyers.

Architecture Photography: Condo towers in Mississaugua