When to book a twilight shoot

A twilight exterior is the one frame that stops someone scrolling a portal. It is not right for every listing, though, and timing matters more than any other shoot.

Listings that suit it

• Homes with plenty of front-facing windows, so the interior glow reads from the street.
• Pools, outdoor kitchens and lit landscaping, which come alive after sunset.
• Any home where the daytime exterior is ordinary but the lighting is not.

A house with few windows facing the street, or one on a busy road with streetlights, usually looks better in a bright daytime exterior.

How the shoot works

I arrive before sunset to set up and shoot the exterior in daylight first. The useful light lasts about twenty minutes after the sun goes down, when the sky is still blue and the windows glow warm. I shoot several exposures during that window and blend them by hand.

What the seller needs to do

• Turn on every interior and exterior light before I arrive, including lamps.
• Open all front-facing blinds fully.
• Move cars off the driveway and keep the street in front clear.

Twilight shoots depend on the weather. If the sky is overcast, I will offer a new evening at no charge.