Real Estate Photography

[Graydon]

As I progress down the never-ending quest to earn some sort of income from photography, I was curious if anyone here does real estate photography.

Any aspect of it would be interesting to learn some more about...

- photographer working for one of the larger virtual tour companies
- independent photographer creating their own virtual tours
- home construction photography
- other?

My initial question is about general viability of the business and suggested sources for information.

Harsh truths are more than welcome

[robert t]

I had a real estate agent suggest it to me a few years back, but now that most agents have digital cameras and are doing there own. They sometimes may not get the best perspective or images but the are cutting the cost by doing it themselves. This will be an interesting thread to watch.

[Steelsun]

Do a search of the forum for "Real Estate" and you'll see where this type of work has been touched, mentioned, and beat to death several times.

[Gateruner]

I did a couple of houses recently(1 was my own and another was a favor to an agent friend) The agents loved them and it was actually brought up in several sales meetings about using myself for these services. Trouble is the agents have to pay the fee from their own pocket at this particular agency. At this time I haven't done any so that could be a big issue as most agents have their own PHD cameras. I have heard that some of the larger firms hire people to do their listings and pay fairly well for the work but getting into that could be a real challenge.

[carrbowl]

I have done a couple also. I saw a brochure that a friends realtor had done for her house. I was not impressed with the photos or the brochure and apparently the guy made "good" money. He put the brochure together and did some PS work..made the pool look blue, cleaned up some things on the outside of the house, etc. but the colors looked terrible. The higher dollar homes need better photos as they do brochures (4 pages) to show people all the rooms. Otherwise they will just use their point and shoot cameras.

[ndsimm]

you would do better to check with the Real Estate mags. I work for a homebuilder and I do some shooting for them, but most of the mags that we publish in have their own photographers

[Aric C. Hoek]

I have a friend that drives around shooting homes for multiple real estate firms. He charges by the square foot of the home he is photographing as square feet is a language the firms understand.

[sbp]

I did take construction photo of one house but that was for friend. Lots of work.

[john s]

Originally Posted by Graydon

As I progress down the never-ending quest to earn some sort of income from photography, I was curious if anyone here does real estate photography.

Any aspect of it would be interesting to learn some more about...

- photographer working for one of the larger virtual tour companies
- independent photographer creating their own virtual tours
- home construction photography
- other?

My initial question is about general viability of the business and suggested sources for information.

Harsh truths are more than welcome

I am, or was a full time real estate photographer gor about 23 years. My business is
almost gone now. Almost realtors now shoot their own pictures with a point and shoot/
They think theyt are great, a lot of them are out of focus, not a wide enough lens. But
they are happy about it. Plus most of the realtors are cheap. They don't like tp spend
to much money. I tried to go up $5, and the realtor said she could not afford to do it.
All I was shot was still pictures, not virtual tour. I f youould like to e-mail me, at
johnyatesphoto@mindspring.com. please do so

[robert t]

Exactly what I thought John. When I was first approached about it. I was working nights and thought wow I could do that in the morning and send the images direct to client from laptop using my air card, But things didn't work out, mainly cause I didn't have a car to drive during the day, And like you said with PS cameras out there and the idea of saving a buck the demand went away.

[Graydon]

Thanks for the feedback. I'll search the forum for "real estate" and see what interesting things pop-up.

I have a similar sentiment about the quality of the agents photographs... I've gone through 3 home searches and purchases in less than 10 years and it's amazing how many listings we passed up because the pictures weren't good online. On top of that, when you click on the "virtual tours" they usually flat out blow.

I know agents can be cheap...err thrifty... but knowing what some of them pay for what they are getting makes it worth looking into.

John Y... I'll email you when I get some more thoughts together... I appreciate the offer for assistance.

[Graydon]

OK, took the advice of Brian / Steelsun and did a search for Real Estate on the forum... figured I should since this is about the 3rd time I've seen him bust someone's chops for not doing so : )

And since I want to be a good contributor... figured I'd share the links for those that come at a later time...

In order of oldest first and newest last (hey, it's the order I copied and pasted) here are the "relevant" posts that I found.

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

http://www.texasphotoforum.com/forum...ht=real+estate

My summary... it's a crappy business that can still be rewarding ($ and not $$$) if you are in the right market with the right offerings and skills. The larger internet based companies have driven the prices down and real estate agents still don't care if they get crappy pictures as long as they can say they have a "virtul tour". There might be a more $$ market for those doing high end homes. Being a contractor for a larger firm barely beats minimum wage if you factor in true time / cost spent.

Kinda depressing... but I still believe that there's a niche in there for some people... just depends on if you can identify the shortcomings of the others and take on the challenge.

[katiexjo]

I photograph for a real estate trade magazine that features the agents and realtors. SO I am mostly photographing people. However, to make more money I am considering photographing some listings. What is the going price for this kind of thing? I have no idea. I am going to look and see the other posts too. I appreciate feedback on what to charge.

~KJ

[wadebarker]

I dabble in it alone with the wedding/sports end of photography for a local realtor to shoot mainly high end homes where pictures really count. With a 5D and a 16-35, I can produce much better results that he can with a P&S and he knows it. I've done virtual tours too, they're a huge pain in the butt. There isn't much money in this for average homes though because realtors simply aren't going to pay the money out of their own pocket at this level.

[katiexjo]

I am going to be shooting high end homes (hopefully). I really need a price range. I talked to one friend and he charges $2000 per day. I know I won't be charging that much right now. I really need to get back to client asap, but need to have a ball park figure to know what to charge.

Thanks

~KJ