Real Estate Photography
I’m an agent and I take my own listing photos; why would I want to pay you to do it?
For one, beautiful photographs will entice your buyers and have them (literally) lining up at your client's front door.
So, yes, you can take your own pictures. But here are four really good reasons to hire a professional real estate photographer:
1. It builds your brand. In 2013 "nearly two-thirds (65 percent) of those who used an agent found their agent online, compared to only 38 percent who found their agent online in 2003" (CAR.org). Additionally, "92 percent of home buyers using the Internet as part of their home search, listing photos are a critical factor in the selling price of your home, how quickly it sells, and whether it sells at all" (Redfin.com). So more than ever, your potential clients are going to make assumptions about you and your agency based on the photographs they see in the listings. Photographs are the first “tangible” that online shoppers will associate with you and your brand. Do you have mediocre photos or do you have really great photographs? Now think about sellers--don’t you think they’re more likely to choose you if your listings feature high quality photography?
2. Your listings get more views. Research from national real estate firm Redfin revealed that listings featured with professional photography received 61% more views than comparable listings. When your listings attract more views, you're bound to win more sales (and more clients).
3. It sells houses. Research from Redfin also shows that homes showcased with high quality photography get a 47% higher asking price per square foot. Higher asking prices also translated to higher selling prices. For example, their data revealed that, on average, a $300k listing with professional photographs sold for $3,145 more than a house with non-professional photographs. And the higher the selling price, the greater the difference that the quality photographs made. Remember, of course, that a higher selling price means a better commission for you.
4. It sells houses faster. "Since professionally photographed homes are more likely to sell in general, and to sell for more money, it’s not surprising that these homes also sell faster. Because online searching and browsing is such a critical part of the home-buying process, it follows that a better-photographed home will sell faster because more people are enticed to visit the home and people know what they are getting before they even set foot in the home. Across all price ranges, homes with professional photos sold faster. In the million dollar range, professionally photographed homes sold four days faster, and those in the $400,000 range sold three weeks faster than their counterparts with amateur photos." (Redfin.com)
But why wouldn't I take my own pictures since I'm going to be at the house anyway?
It makes more sense for you to spend your time doing the things you do best:
Building relationships
Following up on leads
Developing your business
As an agent, the time you spend taking pictures and processing them on your computer doesn't get you more clients or sell your current clients' homes faster. You probably outsource other aspects of your business; why not outsource this task to a specialist as well?
What we're really talking about is using high quality photography as a better way for you to do marketing.
Every real estate company has a selling/marketing system. If you want to differentiate your business from all the others in your area, grow your market share, and build your brand, I think the simplest and fastest way is to improve your listing photographs.
I already have a nice camera (DSLR) with a wide angle lens. Why should I hire you?
Think of it this way: I have a basketball but I sure can’t play like Michael Jordan, and I have a hammer but it doesn't make me a carpenter. In the same way, owning a “nice camera” doesn't make you a photographer. And there’s a lot more to making great property photos than simply having a camera.
Long Answer: To illustrate my point, I have included what I am calling "before and after" photos (use the slider on the images below). The "before photo" represents a photo taken with a pro-level DSLR camera and pro-level lens, professionally composed and perfectly leveled on a pro-level tripod and pro-level tripod head, and the camera settings are the best compromise between a camera's limited ability to capture a correct level of light coming through the window and the amount of light in the room (still with me?). So, what makes the "after" images so much better? Well, just like Michael Jordan, or any great carpenter, I have spent hundreds of hours mastering my craft, and I am driven to be the best. Advanced lighting and editing techniques are what make Fair Market Photo listings stand out from the crowd.
Short Answer: You should hire me for my talent and vast experience photographing Real Estate, and for the advanced lighting and post-processing techniques that I implement to make your listings look beautiful and inviting. (I also use top-level gear)
What happens after you’re done?
The photographs are post processed and delivered via email before noon (usually much earlier) the following day. The photographs you'll receive will be perfectly sized for MLS listings. Additionally, if a Virtual Tour is included in your photography package, my email will include the URL link to the Tour, a download link for print-sized photos, and links to edit the listing information on the Tour.
Who owns the photographs and how does licensing work?
Since I’m the creator of the images, I retain copyright ownership. The photographs are licensed to you (the listing agent) for the purpose of marketing the home. You may use them in print flyers and local ads, as a featured listing on your website, and in your MLS listings but you may not give or sell them to the homeowner, builder, another agent or any other third party. If you'd like to use the images in additional ways, I'd be happy to discuss pricing for those uses with you.
This sounds like a good idea. What do you charge to photograph a property?
Signature Service starts at $230 and Express Service starts at $100. Click here to see Prices/Order.
How long does it take you to photograph a house?
Please see the pricing chart to determine the amount of time that I will be on site. The amount of time listed above is just the right amount of time for me to create great images without being rushed or distracted. This varies from 20-30 minutes for "Express" photoshoots and 1.5+ hours for "Signature" photoshoots. More info on the Prices/Order page.
What if I foresee circumstances that may require more time?
The amount of time scheduled is with the assumption that the home will be 99-100% ready for photos at the time we arranged for the photo shoot. Please schedule additional time (in advance) if you or the owner may want to rearrange furniture/decorations, or if there are others working on site such as gardeners, window cleaners, stagers, buyers agents etc. The amount of time listed above is just the right amount of time for me to create great images without being rushed or distracted. Contact me regarding scheduling additional time on site, and we can build it into the quote. Additional time can be scheduled at a rate of $25 per 30 minutes (in 30 minute blocks). Unscheduled additional time is available at a rate of $50 per 30 minutes, and is only available if there is no scheduling conflict.
In what areas do you work?
Anywhere, although prices vary. See the Prices/Order page for more details.
How do I pay you?
A check or cash on the day of the shoot is preferred but I also carry a credit card reader for your convenience. If you are not going to be at the photo shoot I can email you a PayPal invoice that you can pay online with a credit card or from your PayPal account. Payment is due at the time of the appointment.
I’m a builder/developer/business owner; can you photograph my property/product to help me with my marketing? What does that cost?
Absolutely! Featuring high quality photography of your business or product on your website and social media profiles is a terrific way to elevate your brand and build interest in what you do. Pricing for commercial photography varies depending on the job.
I need a new business headshot. Can you do that, too?
Yes! I offer headshots: either in my studio, or on location. Contact me to schedule a session.
