Well-lit residential interior photographed for a property listing

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Field notes from a Las Vegas photographer.

Practical tips, market insight and behind-the-lens perspective from Mike Madsen, on real estate photography, 3D tours, drone and the Las Vegas Valley market.

Latest

Recent posts.

Straight answers to the questions agents, hosts and sellers ask me most often.

Las Vegas kitchen captured in landscape orientation for an MLS listing real estate photography tips

Portrait vs. Landscape: Why Your Listing Media Might Be Backfiring

Most Las Vegas agents shoot every listing photo in landscape, but portrait images earn more taps on mobile. Mike Madsen breaks down when each orientation wins and how to mix them.

By Mike Madsen

Bright, balanced interior shot with HDR real estate photography showing clean windows real estate photography tips

HDR Real Estate Photography: Fixing Lighting, Blurry Shots, and Bad Angles

Blurry windows, blown-out highlights and crooked walls are the three things that kill listing photos. Mike Madsen explains how HDR fixes all three, and what to look for.

By Mike Madsen

Aerial drone photograph of a Las Vegas property showing the lot and neighborhood context drone photography

Drone Photography for Real Estate: Show More Than Just the Roof

A roof-only drone shot is a waste of a flight. Mike Madsen, an FAA Part 107 certified Las Vegas drone pilot, explains the aerial shots that sell listings.

By Mike Madsen

Sunlit Las Vegas living room captured with professional HDR real estate photography real estate photography tips

Why HDR Photography Matters for Las Vegas Real Estate

HDR photography is the single highest-ROI line item on a real estate shoot. Mike Madsen explains what HDR does, why Las Vegas light demands it, and how it earns more showings.

By Mike Madsen

Lifestyle real estate photograph showing a Las Vegas living space and the community beyond real estate photography tips

Community Photos: Selling More Than Just the Home

Buyers aren't just buying four walls, they're buying a neighborhood. Mike Madsen explains why community and lifestyle photos close more Las Vegas listings.

By Mike Madsen

360-degree virtual tour panorama of a Las Vegas listing virtual tours

Zillow 3D Home Tours: Do They Help Sell Faster?

Zillow 3D Home is a free-hosted 3D tour that lifts your listing higher in Zillow search. Mike Madsen, the former sole photographer for Zillow Offers in Las Vegas, breaks down what it does and when it's worth it.

By Mike Madsen

Professional HDR real estate photo of a sunlit Las Vegas living room real estate photography tips

Why Your Listing Isn't Selling: Are Cell Phone Photos Turning Buyers Away?

Cell-phone listing photos cost you showings and they cost you price. Mike Madsen breaks down what phone shots are really doing to your Las Vegas listing.

By Mike Madsen

Aerial drone photo of a Las Vegas backyard with pool and spa drone photography

Drone Photography in Las Vegas: What You Need to Know About FAA Rules

Drone shots sell Las Vegas listings by showing lot size and setting, but most of the valley sits in controlled airspace. FAA Part 107 pilot Mike Madsen explains what's legal and what it takes to fly here.

By Mike Madsen

Matterport measurement tool showing precise room dimensions virtual tours

Matterport vs Zillow 3D: Which Virtual Tour Is Right for Your Listing?

Matterport and Zillow 3D Home are both real 3D tours, but they serve different goals. Las Vegas photographer Mike Madsen compares dollhouse models, hosting, SEO, and price to help you choose.

By Mike Madsen

Las Vegas Strip skyline view captured from a property's upper level at dusk real estate photography tips

Twilight Photography: When and Why It Sells Luxury Homes

Twilight shots stop the scroll on MLS and social. Las Vegas photographer Mike Madsen explains the blue-hour look, when twilight earns its keep, and why it's a luxury-listing staple.

By Mike Madsen

Modern Las Vegas kitchen captured with professional HDR real estate photography Industry

Real Estate Photography Trends in Las Vegas: What's Working in 2026

The latest trends in Las Vegas real estate photography, from AI-assisted editing to vertical video, drone compliance, and virtual staging that sells.

By Mike Madsen

360-degree tiny planet view from a Google Business View virtual tour Google Business

Google Business View: The Hidden SEO Weapon for Las Vegas Properties

Google Business View 360 tours boost your local SEO, increase Google Maps engagement, and help your Las Vegas property or business rank higher in local searches.

By Mike Madsen

Professional floor plan showing room layout and dimensions Floor Plans

Why Floor Plans Are Your Secret Weapon for Buyer Engagement

Floor plans increase buyer engagement by 30%+ on Las Vegas listings. Here's why they work, what types are available, and how to add them to your next shoot.

By Mike Madsen

Real estate video content showing property walkthrough Video

Video Content for Real Estate: Horizontal, Vertical, and Everything Between

How to use horizontal video for YouTube and MLS, vertical video for TikTok and Instagram Reels, and why every Las Vegas listing needs both formats in 2026.

By Mike Madsen

Aerial drone view of a Las Vegas neighborhood at golden hour Drone Photography

Aerial Advantage: How Drone Photography Sets Your Las Vegas Listing Apart

FAA-certified drone photography gives Las Vegas real estate listings a competitive edge. See why aerial shots matter and what makes them effective in the Las Vegas market.

By Mike Madsen

Comparison of Matterport 3D tour and traditional HDR photography 3D Tours

Matterport vs Traditional Photos: Which Is Right for Your Listing?

Should you invest in a Matterport 3D tour or stick with HDR photography? This guide breaks down the pros, cons, and costs of each for Las Vegas real estate.

By Mike Madsen

Detailed vacation rental floor plan showing room layout and emergency exits Vacation Rentals

Enhancing Safety with Detailed Vacation Rental Floor Plans

Why detailed floor plans are essential for vacation rental safety, guest satisfaction, and liability protection in Las Vegas short-term rentals.

By Mike Madsen

Modern living room in the Brooklyn model home at The Hudson in Green Valley Virtual Tours

Virtual Tour: Brooklyn Model Home at The Hudson in Green Valley

Explore this stunning Brooklyn model home at The Hudson in Green Valley Henderson with our immersive Matterport 3D virtual tour. See every room, the layout, and the flow.

By Mike Madsen

What you'll find here

Three beats from one photographer's perspective.

Each category collects the questions I field most often from agents, hosts and sellers across the Las Vegas Valley.

Sunlit Las Vegas living room captured with professional HDR real estate photography

Real Estate Photography Tips

Practical, field-tested advice for preparing a property, choosing a photographer and getting MLS-ready imagery.

360-degree virtual tour panorama of a Las Vegas listing

Virtual Tours

Matterport, Zillow 3D Home and 360s: how immersive media pre-qualifies buyers and what to expect.

Aerial drone photo of a Las Vegas backyard with pool and spa

Drone Photography

FAA Part 107 aerial work in controlled Las Vegas airspace: lot, setting and proximity shots that sell.

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