How NOT to Make Real Estate Videos | Video Feedback
Brief Summary:
In this video, James Bottomley revisits his journey making real estate videos over the past five years, breaking down three of his own videos—from total beginner to advanced high-intermediate. He highlights the biggest mistakes at each stage, offering clear, practical tips and "action items" so you can learn from his experience, avoid common pitfalls, and dramatically improve your real estate videography. If you want to skip years of trial and error, this is a must-watch crash course!
1. Throwback to the First Ever Real Estate Video (2020)
James opens the video with an honest look back at his first-ever real estate video, shot on October 27, 2020, when he was just 16. Right from the start, he sets a friendly, self-deprecating tone and invites viewers into a learning experience:
"We're going to turn back the clock and look at some of my older videos and point out some of the mistakes that I made so that you can expedite your learning process and hopefully avoid these same mistakes."
He shares that he had no idea what he was doing back then ("This is very beginner James"), which makes it easier for new creators to relate to him.
Gear Used:
- Canon Rebel T7i (APS-C/crop sensor) with 18-55mm kit lens
- Original DJI Ronin S (gimbal)
- DJI Air2 (drone for aerial shots)
James stresses how beginner gear and understanding affected his shots. Because the lens was 18mm on a crop sensor, it actually shot more like a 24mm lens on full-frame, which meant:
"These shots are not wide at all. That goes back to the camera setup we were using… That's why none of these shots are very wide."
Key Takeaways for Beginners:
James outlines the biggest beginner mistakes in simple, clear steps:
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Always have a clear subject for each shot.
- Many of his early clips lack a central subject; sometimes you're just looking at a wall or a curtain:
"There is no purpose to this shot. There is no subject. We're looking at a black wall... Again, if we're focusing in on something right now, it's the lack of subject."
- Actionable Tip: Every shot should have something specific you want people to notice—usually centered in the frame.
-
Include detail shots, not just wide shots.
- He's honest about just shooting everything at the widest lens setting because he didn't know better:
"A home is not just the rooms, but it's also in the details, especially with nice luxury homes."
- Actionable Tip: Punch in and show cool features—like stylish lighting fixtures or textures—so viewers get a feel for what makes the home unique.
-
Edit with flow and sequence.
- His first video had placeholder elevator music and random shot order:
"There is no flow or sequencing in this video… Pick a good song, then make sure you edit to the music. Listen to the beats and cut to them."
- Actionable Tip: Cut your video to the rhythm of your music track for natural pacing.
Other beginner issues: shaky camera, weird up-and-down movement, awkward edits, or clips that are way too fast or too slow. But James reassures beginners that these are all part of the learning process!
2. Leveling Up: Two Years Later (2022)
Fast forward to July 28, 2022. James shows a video shot exactly two years later—now with a much better camera setup:
- Canon EOS R (full-frame mirrorless)
- Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 lens (much better for wide angles)
- Still using the original DJI Ronin S and DJI Air2 drone
He points out a huge improvement in quality, but he's still critical and honest about what could be better:
"A lot of people would consider this a pretty good, maybe beginner-to-intermediate level real estate video, but there are still quite a few things I want to pick apart."
Common Intermediate Mistakes:
-
Showing TOO Much!
- The intro alone has 11 shots just of the outside of the house. It's not engaging:
"This took 22 seconds, which is pretty long. If we're building out an intro sequence, we want to take up about 10 to 15 seconds."
- Actionable Tip: "Show less—focus only on the highlights." Too many shots make the video feel draggy and redundant!
-
Better composition but still some issues.
- He's improved with sun-flares and mixing wide and tighter shots:
"We started mixing in some tighter shots... to make a more engaging video. That's good!"
- Still, he sometimes shows unnecessary rooms (like a random bathroom).
-
The VERTICALS must be straight.
- This is a big thing for real estate photos and videos:
"If the verticals aren't straight, it looks weird. The house looks lopsided… Always make sure your camera is nice and level and you're shooting straight."
- Actionable Tip: Check your lines! Crooked verticals make houses look distorted.
-
White Balance Issues
- Many shots are too yellow or off-color:
"This looks too yellow... the countertop should be closer to white."
- Actionable Tip: Set your camera to auto white balance instead of guessing.
Three Key Action Items to Upgrade from Beginner to Pro:
- Exposure (especially blown-out windows)
- Straight verticals
- Thoughtful sequencing of shots
James sums it up with classic humility:
"Looking back now, it's obviously pretty trash, but I was pretty proud of this video!"
3. High-Intermediate: Close to Pro Quality (2024)
Now it's January 2024 and James shares his most recent "high-intermediate" video. The improvements are easy to spot:
- Canon R6 Mark II (shooting 4K—super sharp!)
- DJI RS3 Pro gimbal
- Canon 15-35mm f/2.8 lens (same lens, but new gimbal and camera body)
"This was a point where I felt there was another big step in my quality… Each one has been a step from one level to the next."
Major Strengths:
- Video is sharper, colors are better, pacing is improved
New Mistakes and Advanced Tips:
-
Still showing too much!
- Even at this stage, James admits:
"Again, I was caught up in that whole like, 'We gotta show the whole house.' So there's too much in this video."
-
Add "real" detail shots—use a tighter lens.
- He says his detail shots should have used a lens over 50mm (he was still at 35mm) for true close-up impact.
"At this level I would highly be suggesting shooting detail shots, something with a lens at over 50mm."
-
Pacing is WAY better.
- The video is two minutes long for a big house, but still feels more engaging.
-
Beware of "fancy" or unnecessary transitions.
- Influenced by trends from the TPV/Futuro Avenue community, he confesses to overusing speed ramps and flashy transitions:
"There's just too many unnecessary transitions. Some are good, some are tasteful… but a lot of these are super unnecessary."
- Actionable Tip: Only use transitions that add to the story or feel of the video. Less is more!
-
Lack of contrast in editing
- The video looks a bit flat—not enough punch to the shadows and highlights:
"There's just not enough contrast. The shadows need to be darker, the highlights need to be brighter."
- Actionable Tip: Dial in your exposure and contrast to make your shots pop.
Top Action Items at the Advanced Level:
- Cut out unnecessary transitions
- Show less—just the highlights
- Improve exposure and contrast
- Add real, impactful detail shots for that "pro" look!
James closes the tutorial with encouragement:
"Each of you are in different stages of your journeys as real estate videographers… That's why I wanted to go through these different stages. It was fun to go through these."
He wraps up by asking viewers:
"What's the number one mistake you've been making?"
Final Thoughts
James's journey from nervous beginner to confident, advanced creator is packed with practical, highly relatable advice. The biggest lessons? Always have a clear subject, show only the highlights, keep your verticals straight, edit with the music, and never be afraid to look back and learn from your own old work. As James says:
"Those are a few of my older videos across some different time periods in my career. If you got value out of this video… I'll see you in the next one!"
💡 Key Tip: Progress is all about small improvements you make video after video. Use these actionable steps to fast-track your way to pro-level real estate videos
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