A glowing twilight exterior is one of the most eye-catching photos in a listing. There are two ways to get one: shoot at dusk on location, or create the look from a daytime photo. Both work. Which is better depends on the home, your timeline and your MLS rules.

What is a real twilight photo?

A real twilight is photographed at dusk, when the sky has a deep blue or pink color and the home's interior and exterior lights are on. The warm windows contrast with the cool sky. Our real twilight shoot is $195 and is shot on location at the right time of evening.

What is a virtual twilight photo?

A virtual twilight starts with a daytime exterior photo. Editing changes the sky to a dusk look and adds a warm glow to the windows. It does not require a second visit to the home. Virtual twilights are $35 per photo, and three are included in the Platinum ($549) and Diamond ($699) packages.

Side by side

  • Cost: real twilight $195 per shoot; virtual twilight $35 per photo.
  • Timing: real twilights need a dusk visit; virtual twilights are made from your daytime shoot.
  • Weather: real twilights depend on the evening sky; virtual twilights do not.
  • Number of images: a real twilight shoot can capture several angles in one visit; virtual twilights are priced per image.
  • Realism: a real twilight captures actual lighting; a virtual one is edited.

Choose a real twilight when

  • The home has attractive exterior lighting, landscaping lights, a pool, a fire pit or a patio that glows.
  • It is a luxury listing where the exterior is a major selling point.
  • You have time to schedule a second visit around sunset.
  • You want the most authentic image possible.

Choose virtual twilights when

  • You are on a tight timeline and need the listing live quickly.
  • The weather or schedule makes an evening shoot hard.
  • You want a twilight look for several exterior angles at a lower total cost.
  • The listing is in a winter month with an overcast daytime sky. Our guide on preparing a home for photos in a Colorado winter has more.

Keep photos honest

Rules vary by MLS, and edited images must not misrepresent the property. A virtual twilight should show the home as it is, only with a different sky and warmer windows. Do not add features that are not there. Check your MLS rules, and label virtual images where required.

Tips for either type

  1. Turn on the lights. For a real twilight, turn on every interior and exterior light. For a virtual twilight, lights on during the daytime shoot help the windows glow convincingly.
  2. Clean the exterior. Move cars, hoses and trash cans before the shoot.
  3. Choose the right frame. The front exterior is the usual choice for the cover photo. A backyard with a patio is another strong option.
  4. Use it first. A twilight image often works best as the first or second photo in the gallery.

Common twilight mistakes to avoid

  • Lights off or burned-out bulbs. A twilight photo depends on warm windows. Replace dead bulbs and turn on every light you can, including porch, landscape and garage lights.
  • Clutter outside. At dusk, trash cans, hoses, toys and cars stand out against a dark sky. Move them before the shoot.
  • Closed blinds. Open blinds let the interior glow show through the windows. Closed blinds make the house look dark and empty.
  • Overediting. A twilight should look believable. A sky that is too dark or too pink looks fake, and buyers notice when the photo does not match what they see in person.

Timing a real twilight shoot

The best light lasts only a short time after the sun goes down, when the sky still has color and the home's lights are on. That is why a real twilight is scheduled separately from the main daytime shoot, and why cloud cover or a storm can affect the result. If the weather does not cooperate, rescheduling is free. If you would rather not depend on the sky, a virtual twilight avoids the problem entirely.

Combine with other services

A twilight image pairs well with free drone photos and a listing video. Platinum at $549 bundles 25 photos, free drone, a 1-minute video and three virtual twilights, which is the most popular way to launch a standout listing. See the full details on our twilight photography page.

The bottom line

If you have the time and the home looks great at dusk, choose a real twilight at $195. If you want speed and flexibility, choose virtual twilights at $35 per photo. Many agents use a virtual twilight for the cover photo of a standard listing, and reserve a real twilight shoot for premium homes. Either way, photos arrive in 24 hours or less. See pricing or book online.