The campaign photos for a Lilyfield cottage are not remarkable at first glance. The pretty, single-story cottage is in original condition and is sweet, but not noteworthy. 

The photograph of the kitchen shows a 1950s-style room, with a wooden dresser, pink cupboards, and frilly covers on the chairs. But the next photo takes your breath away; it shows the same room, but a couple are seated at the table, she is looking across the table at a man who has his head in his hands, apparently in despair.

The photo gives you quite a start, and you immediately wonder what is going on between the couple, and why the image is being used in a property marketing campaign.

The image, of course, is part of a quite deliberate marketing campaign. Andrew Liddell, of BresicWhitney, who is marketing the property, says the agency has a philosophy of "bringing their properties to life" in advertising campaigns.

Scrolling through the BresicWhitney web site you see many campaign photos include animals and people. But none are as graphic as this, and it does take the philosophy "bringing properties to life" to a new level.

"We are trying to portray a bit of emotion," said Liddell.

The image contains BresicWhitney's head photographer on the left and the copywriter on the right. Liddell said, "They're two creative people and they were having a bit of fun."

"It's created a lot of positive hype," said Liddell.

The property has a buyer's guide of $1.5 million.

Who said art doesn't pay?

See also:

Mirvac profiles local innovators in campaign

Where is the best value real estate in Sydney?