Is your Gulf-front view doing all the heavy lifting it could online? In Treasure Island, buyers scroll fast and stop for one thing first: a clear, emotional sense of water, light, and lifestyle. If you plan your photo and video with intention, you attract more qualified eyes and better in-person showings. In this guide, you’ll learn a media strategy built for our west-facing beaches, the rules you must follow, and a practical checklist you can use on your next listing. Let’s dive in.
Why visuals matter in Treasure Island
Treasure Island buyers are shopping for a feeling as much as a floor plan. Your visuals need to make the Gulf, the beach, and the sunset orientation obvious in seconds. Images that connect interior rooms to the water and show usable outdoor living help buyers picture life here.
Strong visuals also filter in the right audience. When your photos and video clearly show unobstructed views, beach access, and sunset moments, you get more engagement from people who value what your home offers.
Know the rules before you shoot
Respecting local and federal rules protects your listing timeline and your reputation. A short pre-check saves headaches later.
FAA and airspace
Commercial drone work requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Hire or be a Part 107 pilot and check airspace, TFRs, and NOTAMs before every flight. Review the FAA’s requirements for Part 107 commercial operations and quick authorizations through LAANC. You can also review temporary restrictions at the FAA’s TFR site.
City, county, and beach permits
Public beaches and parks can require permits for commercial filming, tripods, or drone launches. Policies vary by location and season. Confirm current rules with the City of Treasure Island and Pinellas County Parks before your shoot.
Wildlife protections in nesting season
Sea-turtle nesting season in Florida runs from May 1 through October 31. Follow beach lighting ordinances, avoid bright beachside lighting at night, and stay well clear of marked nests. For guidance, see the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s page on sea turtle nesting season and lighting.
Privacy, liability, and insurance
Do not enter neighboring property without permission. Keep drones away from people and respect privacy concerns, especially in condo communities. Commercial operators should carry appropriate insurance and secure HOA approvals for amenities and common areas when needed.
Visual strategy: sand to sunset
Your goal is to tell a single, seamless story from patio to sand to horizon. Think scale, orientation, and lifestyle.
Hero shots that stop the scroll
- Exterior hero: Show the home with the beach in the foreground and the Gulf stretching to the horizon. Include subtle scale cues like two chairs, if allowed.
- Beach foreground detail: A low-angle shot of textured sand or dune grass that leads the eye to the water.
- Dusk exterior: Balance interior lights with the sky to create a warm, livable feel.
Balcony and interior viewlines
Photograph from inside looking out and from the balcony looking to the sunset. Frame windows and sliders so the viewer’s eye goes straight to the water. Remove anything that competes with the view.
Neighborhood context and lifestyle
One permitted aerial can situate the home on the barrier island and show proximity to highlights like a boardwalk or marina, without revealing private details. Lifestyle vignettes can imply use without over-staging. A tray with glassware at dusk, paddleboards stacked neatly, or a simple al fresco setup reads well.
Short video that sells the feeling
Aim for a 30 to 60 second edit. Use a drone reveal from water to the property, a low, legal orbit to show beach width, a balcony timelapse of sunset, and a smooth indoor to outdoor walkthrough. Keep clips short and stabilized.
Time your shoot for light and tides
Light and water conditions change fast on the Gulf. Build your plan around them and you will get better results in fewer takes.
Golden hour to blue hour
Golden hour gives warm light and pleasing shadows. Capture sunset, then stay for 10 to 20 minutes after when colors deepen during blue hour. That is when twilight exteriors shine and outdoor spaces feel most livable.
Morning interiors and daily conditions
Use mornings for interiors to avoid harsh afternoon glare. Morning easterly breezes can bring calmer seas, which can help with clean horizon shots. Always check the day’s wind and cloud cover before you lock in the schedule.
Low tide or high tide
Low tide can create a broader sand foreground that improves your “sand to sea” composition. High tide can highlight immediate water access for ground-level homes. Choose the look that fits your story and confirm timing with NOAA tide charts.
Stage for Gulf-front buyers
Great staging controls the viewer’s eye and spotlights what matters most. Keep it minimal and coastal, not theme-heavy.
Clear view corridors
Remove or reposition furniture and plants that block sightlines to the Gulf. De-personalize spaces so buyers imagine their own life there. Clean windows and glass railings so light and views read crisp on camera.
Outdoor rooms that glow at dusk
Stage patios and balconies as real living areas with comfortable seating and a small table. Turn on warm, subtle lighting for twilight. Keep paths and steps free of sand and debris for a polished look.
Small details that read on camera
Add a folded throw, fresh neutral towels, and a simple tray with glassware for sunset scenes. Include boats, kayaks, or paddleboards if they belong to the seller, and stage them neatly. Avoid large or branded items that distract from the home.
Seasonal and crowd planning
During sea-turtle season, avoid bright beachside lighting and never stage near marked nests. Tourist season brings crowds, so plan for early morning or late evening when beaches are clearer. Have a weather backup during storm season and build flexibility into your schedule.
Your Treasure Island shoot plan
Use this simple process to keep your listing on time and on brand.
72–48 hours before
- Confirm city, county, and HOA approvals if needed.
- Book a Part 107 drone pilot and verify airspace authorizations.
- Check weather, cloud cover, and wind for the chosen shoot window.
- Verify tides and any local events that could affect beach access.
- Provide the seller a short prep list and parking plan.
- Secure releases for any people featured in lifestyle images.
Day-of staging checklist
- Interior: Open all window coverings on the water side, declutter surfaces, hide pet items, and turn on warm interior lights if shooting twilight.
- Exterior: Sweep decks, wipe glass, face furniture toward the water, and add small, neutral props as needed.
- Beach: Remove excess gear and respect all public access and ADA paths.
Essential shot list
- Exterior hero at golden hour, 2 to 3 images.
- Drone reveal from water to property, 1 short clip.
- Drone orbit showing beach width and horizon, 2 to 3 assets.
- Balcony or patio to sunset, one daytime and one dusk.
- Interiors that frame the water from living, kitchen, and the primary suite, 6 to 8 images.
- Twilight exterior with warm interior glow, 2 images.
- Amenities like private stairs, hot tub, boardwalks, boat lift, or community pool, 4 to 6 images.
- Neighborhood context aerial showing proximity to boardwalks or marinas where permitted, 1 to 2 images.
- A 30 to 60 second highlight video that stitches hero aerial, balcony approach, interior flow, and sunset timelapse.
Capture settings that elevate quality
- Photos: Capture high resolution and bracket exposures for bright windows. Keep at least one RAW file per scene to allow clean post work.
- Drone: Record in 4K and capture horizontal and vertical clips for MLS and social. Fly low enough to show detail while staying safe and privacy-aware.
- Video: Use short, stabilized clips. Avoid long handheld shots.
- Twilight: Use a tripod to balance interior light with the sky so you keep color without losing room detail.
After the shoot: delivery and accuracy
- Deliver a day and a twilight hero image and one 30 to 60 second highlight video.
- Include labeled drone stills for MLS and mapping context.
- Color-correct for realistic tones. Avoid oversaturating the sky or water.
- Tag assets with notes like “West-facing sunset from primary balcony” to help your listing description.
- Disclose any rented or staged items that are not included in the sale in your listing copy.
Work with a local, media-forward team
You do not need to manage this alone. A local brokerage that markets waterfront listings every week knows how to plan around sea-turtle season, organize permits, and capture the sand-to-sunset story that performs online. With boutique-level attention and premium digital presentation, your listing can shine across MLS, social, and direct outreach.
If you want a polished, compliant media plan and a listing launch that feels effortless, reach out to Shore2Bay Realty. We combine neighborhood-first expertise with concierge marketing so your Treasure Island property shows its best.
FAQs
What should I photograph first for a Treasure Island Gulf-front listing?
- Start with the exterior hero and balcony viewlines during golden hour, then move to interiors while light is even. Finish with dusk exteriors and a short sunset clip.
Do I need a permit to film on Treasure Island beaches?
- It depends on your setup and location. Confirm current filming and beach-use rules with the City of Treasure Island and Pinellas County Parks before your shoot.
When is sea-turtle nesting season on Florida’s Gulf Coast?
- From May 1 to October 31. Follow beach lighting rules and avoid marked nests. See FWC guidance for best practices.
Is a drone pilot license required for listing videos?
- Yes, commercial drone operations require a Part 107-certified pilot. Check airspace, TFRs, and authorizations for each flight.
Should I shoot at low tide or high tide for beach photos?
- Choose based on your story. Low tide creates a wider sand foreground, while high tide emphasizes immediate water access. Verify timing with NOAA tide charts.
