Seattle Compliance Guide
NWMLS Photo Rules, Explained
What the Northwest MLS allows in listing photos — and how every HD Media House gallery arrives compliant.
The Rules
Six Rules Every Seattle Listing Must Follow
Maximum 40 photos — 20–30 recommended
NWMLS caps listings at 40 photos. In practice, a tight, well-sequenced set of 20–30 strong images outperforms a bloated gallery — lead with the hero exterior, then flow room to room.
No watermarks, logos, or contact info
Photos may not contain agent or brokerage branding of any kind — no watermarks, no logo overlays, no phone numbers or URLs embedded in the image.
No QR codes
QR codes in listing photos are prohibited — they function as embedded contact/marketing devices, which NWMLS does not allow inside listing media.
No composite images
Photos stitched or collaged from multiple images into a single frame are not permitted. Each photo must be a single image of the property.
No image manipulation
You cannot digitally remove power lines, add features the property doesn't have, or otherwise alter what the photo represents. Standard exposure, color, and lens corrections are fine — changing the property is not.
Absolutely no people or pets — including reflections
No person or pet may appear in any listing photo. That includes the photographer's reflection in a window, mirror, or appliance — a detail that catches out more listings than any other rule.
Compliance Built In
Every Gallery We Deliver Is NWMLS-Ready
Our Seattle photographers shoot to NWMLS spec by default: reflective surfaces are checked for photographer reflections during the shoot, editing stays within permitted corrections, and delivered files carry no branding, watermarks, or embedded contact devices.
You get a clean, correctly sized, correctly sequenced gallery you can upload straight to the MLS — no re-edits, no compliance emails, no pulled listings.
FAQ
NWMLS Photo Questions
Shooting in the Seattle area? See our Seattle market page, all service areas, or virtual staging service.
MLS-Ready Photos, Delivered in 24 Hours
Book your Seattle shoot and never think about photo compliance again.
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