Real estate techniques and critques

[Emma]

I have begun shooting real estate for some local agents and stager. Is there a place here or online where we can discuss the techniques of real estate photography, virtual tours, fliers, offer critiques, and even some marketing?

Yesterday I did a shoot, and I'm not very happy with it compared to the amazing works of architectural art on the sites I use for ideas. Honestly, it's some of the hardest, most technically difficult, physically demanding, and gear-heavy types of work that I've done. But I honestly adore doing it! I need a place to get feedback and get better.

I'm in the Austin area, for marketing discussions. But in general, making houses look pretty is what I'm after.

Thanks!

[toverman]

I've read articles about architectural photographers ranging from shooters with a crew of 20 and busload of equipment. And there are the ones who have one camera, two lenses and a tripod who produce a different but still excellent product. I don't know of a specific place dedicated to that type of photos, but you can post in the "photo tips" or "general photos" areas and might get some hits.

[Bill M]

You might check this out. http://www.flickr.com/groups/photographyforrealestate/

[Emma]

I'd like to discuss if there is a market for this type of real estate photography. I am not aiming to compete with $99 Tour Factory special, but the $200-300 range with a product that is superior to what a realtor can do.

I'm not sure how to go about marketing the service to realty groups because location and price (and buyers in tough markets) sell homes. Is photography just a perk? Can we package it as essential, or as a value-adding product?

Before I'm ready to market, I need to improve however, so there are 2 fronts to this.

[ndsimm]

If you want to appeal to realtors, you're gonna have to go with concenience.

I work for a homebuilder in my full time job and they all have their own digital cameras that they use to post pics on MLS listings.
My company will hire me to shoot the model and showcase homes that they will put in magazine ads, but most of the real estate listings (especially online) rarely need high res images
your best bet might be some of the real estate or community magazines that need cover work or ad layout images

[micajoy]

I used to be a realtor and I think its going to be a very tough sell, even at only $99 - to get them to purchase your services. Especially in this economy. Maybe on really high-end homes...you might even try marketing directly to the home-owner.

[toverman]

^ I agree with Mica, in that mass-market agents aren't likely to be able to afford or go through the hassle of hiring someone. But high-end agents and possibly homeowners looking to get a sales edge, that's possible. (Note that this is just an opinion/outside observance. I'm not an expert in this realm of photography!).

[tc95]

Emma, I take my own pictures for my listings...I will tell you three things...

1) Get a Sigma 10-20mm lens (on your D300 this will be 15-30mm)...does not matter for the f-stop most of the time I shoot at f5 to f7....
2) Use a hotshoe flash with a bouncer on it..Gary-Fong or a Soften defuser...I use the generic ebay one's for $6.00...Ebay listing....
3) This is the most important thing...most people show-case the furniture not the room...the furniture shows depth, placement, and size...but try to get more in each shot...so that you get the feel for the room...

These shots were taken with Sony a900 and Sigma 17-35mm the a900 is a FF camera so there is no multiplier...shot at 17mm with a slight crop....





OK now the photography stuff...don't be afraid of moving peoples furniture around...to make the room look better....also take lots of shots...you can always discard the bad ones...If they insist on you taking shots the way they have it...take one there way and one your way...they usually shut-up...don't mean to be rude...but it's your time not there's....and lastly...make sure you know what your particular MLS requires for the picture size/dimensions and most importantly amount of pictures...mine in Houston HAR only let you post 16 photos.....

Personally...I try to tell a story front-entry-dinning/living-kitchen-breakfast-family /great room-backyard-master-master bath-then anything left over I post the other bedrooms...don't be afraid to show multiple angles of the shot...give a better idea of the room...or yard space...

If you have any other questions...post here or PM me....it might take me a little bit to get back to you...but I will...

Good Luck...

[tc95]

oh....I forgot to mention...you can use your flash outside...to get rid of dark area's or shadows...I do a lot...

I know with the 300K+ homes...you will have a market...but you have to provide prints..and let the agents use the photos for there own advertising...most of the time...I am in and out of a house in 1 1/2 hours...

[CaptainTom]

I do some of this type of work.
It's not as easy as people think. At least not easy to get good images.
Marketing to FSBO people seems to be the latest niche.
360 view tours are also big.

[d2creative]

I won't even bother with real estate agents. They're too cheap.

Here's some projects I shot recently. First was done for a friend who was selling their house and wanted something better than the agent was going to do. The rest are for architects and builders.

http://www.bluelemonphoto.com/clients/webb/
http://www.bluelemonphoto.com/clients/natco/
http://www.bluelemonphoto.com/clients/raindrop/

oh and this one was done pro-bono for the business owner.
http://www.bluelemonphoto.com/clients/sewcrafty/

I'm in that second camp described above. Just me, my camera bag and tripod. I'm in and out in 2-3 hours. Usually about 2.