Anyone can push a shutter button. Very few people can take pictures that really sell a unique property. If you're listing a cookie-cutter 2 bedroom urban condo then pictures don't matter much because buyers pretty much already know what they're getting. If you're listing a rural luxury property with acreage and a view then good pictures matter a lot.

Same thing with staging. It's counterproductive for some properties and almost essential for others. You have to know the local market and target buyers.