TL;DR
A little planning can make a big difference on the day of your real estate photography shoot. Shadowmap helps you compare sunlight throughout the day, while Meteoblue and Foggy provide more information about Bay Area weather. UASidekick helps our drone pilots identify airspace restrictions that may affect aerial photography.
These tools can help you prepare, but conditions can change. As always, feel free to contact our Customer Success team for scheduling guidance and recommendations for your specific listing!
Key Takeaways
- Better timing can mean better photos. Shadowmap can help you see how sunlight and shadows may change throughout the day.
- Bay Area weather can vary by neighborhood. Meteoblue provides detailed forecasts, while Foggy focuses specifically on local fog conditions.
- Drone photography is not always possible. Airspace restrictions, weather, and safety conditions can limit aerial photography.
- Planning tools are not guarantees. Forecasts, simulations, and airspace conditions can change.
- When in doubt, ask us. Customer Success can help you choose an appointment time, evaluate concerns, and recommend the best approach.
1. Shadowmap: For visualizing sun and shade over a property
Shadowmap is a 3D sunlight simulator that shows how the sun and surrounding shadows move across a property.
Enter an address, select a date and time, and explore how nearby buildings, trees, and terrain may affect the light. This can be especially helpful in the Bay Area, where hills and closely spaced homes may create shade earlier than expected.
How It Can Help Your Listing
Shadowmap may help you:
- Estimate when the front of a home will receive direct sunlight
- See whether neighboring buildings could cast shadows
- Compare morning and afternoon light
- Plan exterior, aerial, or twilight photography
- Identify when a yard, patio, pool, or view may look its best
For example, an east-facing home may photograph better in the morning, while a west-facing backyard may benefit from a later appointment.
What to Know
The free version allows you to view sunlight and shadows for the current day. A paid plan is required to explore other dates and access additional features.
Shadowmap is available through its web app and on mobile devices.
Alternatives: ShadeMap and Sunscape AR
2. Meteoblue: For a more detailed look at the forecast
Bay Area weather can change significantly from one neighborhood to the next. A general forecast may call for clear skies while fog, wind, or low clouds affect the property you are preparing to photograph.
Meteoblue combines multiple weather models to provide detailed forecasts for locations around the world.
How It Can Help Your Listing
Meteoblue offers tools for reviewing:
- Hourly rain and precipitation forecasts
- Cloud cover and visibility
- Wind speed and direction
- Temperature changes
- Radar and satellite imagery
- Longer-term weather patterns
Its visual “meteograms” make it easier to compare conditions throughout the day. The “where2go” feature can also show where clearer weather may be nearby.
This information can help you decide whether to keep an appointment, consider a different time, or prepare the property for possible rain or wind.
What to Know
Weather forecasts are never guaranteed—especially around the Bay, along the coast, and in areas with strong microclimates. Check the forecast again as your appointment approaches, but avoid making a last-minute change based on one weather model alone.
If you are concerned about the forecast, contact our Customer Success team before changing your appointment. They can help you consider the conditions and recommend the best next step.
Meteoblue is available online and through its iOS and Android apps.
Alternatives: Weather Underground and AccuWeather
3. Foggy: For tracking bay area fog
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Every Bay Area resident know fog can dramatically change views, exterior lighting, and drone conditions—sometimes within minutes.
Foggy is a Bay Area-focused app that combines satellite imagery with reports from people experiencing conditions on the ground.
How It Can Help Your Listing
Foggy can help you:
- View current fog coverage across the Bay Area
- Review recent satellite imagery
- Check community reports near the property
- See whether fog may obscure a view or exterior
- Gather more information before discussing the appointment with Customer Success
This can be especially useful for listings near the coast, on hillsides, or in areas where an important view could be affected by fog.
What to Know
Foggy is most useful for understanding current conditions. It should not be treated as a guarantee or used as the only reason to change an appointment.
Fog may clear, return, or shift between neighborhoods before the photographer arrives. If fog could affect your shoot, contact our Customer Success team before rescheduling. They can review the situation and recommend the best next step.
Alternatives: West Coast Fog and Fog Today
4. UASidekick: The airspace tool our drone pilots use
Adding aerial photography to your order does not always mean a drone can legally or safely fly at the property. Airports, controlled airspace, temporary flight restrictions, emergency activity, weather, and other conditions may limit or prevent a flight.
UASidekick is a flight-planning and airspace-awareness platform. It is an FAA-approved LAANC UAS Service Supplier, allowing eligible pilots to request authorization for certain flights in controlled airspace.
What Drone Pilots Can Do With It
Depending on the account and flight, UASidekick can help pilots:
- Review controlled and uncontrolled airspace
- Check altitude limits and live advisories
- View temporary flight restrictions
- Submit eligible LAANC authorization requests
- Review property boundaries
- Plan and log flights
What This Means for Real Estate Agents
You do not need to manage drone authorization yourself. Open Homes will evaluate the location and determine whether the requested aerial photography can be completed legally and safely.
However, knowing that these restrictions exist can help set expectations. An aerial shoot may require additional approval, a lower flight altitude, a different appointment time, or an alternative approach.
Airspace authorization does not override unsafe weather, privacy concerns, property-access rules, or temporary restrictions. Contact our Customer Success team if you have questions about adding aerial photography to an order or whether a location may present restrictions.
Alternatives: Aloft Air Control, AutoPylot, and AirData UAV. Aloft Air Control may also appear simply as Air Control.
Ready to Schedule?
These tools can provide helpful information, but you do not need to interpret every forecast, simulation, or airspace map yourself.
If you are unsure when to schedule or whether conditions could affect your shoot, contact the Open Homes Customer Success team by phone, text, or email. We can review your concerns and help you choose the best next step so you can make the most of your real estate photography shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best time of day for real estate photography?
It depends on the direction the property faces, surrounding shade, interior light, views, and the features you want to emphasize. Contact our Customer Success team for help choosing an appointment time.
Should I reschedule if the forecast shows clouds?
Not necessarily. Light cloud cover can actually make for great photography conditions. The diffused lighting reduces harsh shadows and casts eerything in a soft light. On the other hand, heavy rain, thick fog, or strong wind may be more likely to affect the shoot. Before changing your appointment, contact Customer Success to discuss the forecast and your options.
Should I reschedule if Foggy shows fog near the property?
Not automatically. Fog can move or clear quickly, and conditions may vary within a short distance. Contact Customer Success before making a change, especially if the property’s view is an important feature.
Can every property receive aerial photography?
No. Airspace restrictions, temporary flight restrictions, weather, site conditions, and safety concerns can prevent or limit drone flights.
Does LAANC authorization guarantee that a drone can fly?
No. LAANC provides airspace authorization for eligible flights, but the pilot must still follow all FAA rules and evaluate weather, visibility, obstacles, and other safety concerns.
Are these tools free?
Access and pricing vary. Some tools offer free features, while advanced features, extended forecasts, or additional imagery may require payment. Check each company’s website or app store listing for current details.
