JDG3

A couple of years ago while contemplating my upcoming retirement, I thought I would combine my love of photography with my love of aviation and do real estate photography. I purchased a drone, learned to use it properly, got my FAA Part 107 certificate and took a real estate photography course through the university non-credit programs. I did learn a lot taking the course but the main thing I learned is that it is a hard way to make any money. The going rate in our area is around $100- $125 for an average size house in the $200K - $300K range. And often they are not interested in drone shots, even at that price. My instructor at the real estate photography course had drones but never used them. They took up too much time and comparable shots were easily obtained using a "Wonder Pole", a collapsible pole that he used to extend his camera up around 20-25 feet. A drone shot from 100 ft to 200 ft is useful only for showing the lot layout. Not much can be seen of the house other than the roof at even 100 ft. And since the MLS listing limits you to around 30-40 shots no one wants to waste their shots for a high drone shot unless there is something really special to see at that height (lake front, woodland etc.).

Anyway with so many agents now shooting their own photos with high end phones the demand for real estate photographers in our area is almost nil except for the homes priced at $500k and above. I have a real estate agent friend and she says that houses and properties are moving so fast that often she does not even have photos listed before they are sold. Photos are usually only used to lure potential buyers to see the property, but now once it goes onto the internet with only front shot (made by an iphone), if the property is in the right neighborhood, it has serious interest immediately. The other advantage the camera phones have is that they can instantly post their photos with little or no post processing. However, I learned in my Photoshop class that there are multiple post processing phone apps for the photos taken with you phone. So photos can be taken, processed and posted directly to the listing services who are now set up to use the phone camera photos.

NO ONE is willing to wait the few hours to pay a photographer ($125) to take good photos, post-process the photos and then deliver them that afternoon or next day. The agents simply will not pay it in today's real estate market. I think there are opportunities in the million dollar markets but then the photographer had better bring some serious equipment in terms of lighting and special post processing.

I think the profession of real estate photographer is going the way of buggy whip makers or film photography. Both are still around and utilized but in a very small way. Besides, by the time you spend 2-4 hours photographing a house and then add another hour for processing and delivery, you are not making much money at $125 per average house.

Nikonnorm Loc: East Gwillimbury Ont.

That's funny,my real estate guy used a cell phone.There was no problem selling the house.
By the way it was a 400k house.

Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

He is a very good photographer. And even better at PP. Some of this stuff looks fake like a stage rendering.
Thier is a small market for very upscale real estate images and that is where he is at.

dukepresley

We sold our house earlier this month. We interviewed 3 realtors who took pictures with a cell phone. When we selected the final agent, she hired a pro for the MLS photos. I saw the work on-line and it was excellent; unfortunately, we were out of the country when the photos were taken so I have no idea of his methodology, equipment, etc.

windshoppe Loc: Arizona

Same here. Realtor was "getting into photography" so he wouldn't have to hire a photographer. Came one afternoon and took photos and they were up the following day. When I saw the listing I immediately phoned him and set up a meeting. I told him that the photos were unacceptable and that I would provide him with photos with which to replace them. He reluctantly agreed and made the switch. House sold in under 10 days. I'm not a RE photographer, but when we moved I spent several days photographing the new house so that I'd have what I consider to be decent photos for the next time around.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Yes, but it reflects what RE photography can look like, and the MLS/Agent/"Pro" results are the other end of the spectrum. Yes, his post processing makes his work grab one's attention, which is the whole intent.

There is no reason for that caliber of work for a $125-$200 fee, but one can do better than HDR for every image, using ultra-wide lenses incorrectly to give the impression of depth and expanse to smaller spaces. I've seen powder rooms that look like airplane hangars.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

Well...As a semi-retired (professional for approximately 40 years) Realtor, and an amateur photographer who loves shooting her own listings, and is now a dedicated UGGer; I simply must respond to this one!
First, I must take issue with the response from Martin Fisher Photo, comparing the Photographer's price to the Realtor's commission....Wow! I might spend a couple days photographing and post processing my photos for the MLX, but the time and effort do not compare with the time and effort, plus expenses spent (literally) in servicing, and hopefully selling, the Listing! Time wise, there is no comparison, plus, there is no guarantee that a commission will be earned! So much for that! I do agree that it is a shame that most Realtors are satisfied with their cell phone photos. I think they are doing a disservice to their clients, especially if the property is in a higher price range. I agree that good pictures are so important in order to appeal to prospective Buyers and/or their Agents, and I, too, am totally disgusted at so many of the terrible pictures on the MLX. But, as Independent Contractors, the expenses are great....dues, fees, phones and computers and printers, car, valets, advertising, proper clothing....And that "huge" commission is usually split FOUR ways!
To close....I love this Forum and I'm learning so much about my favorite hobby: Photography! Keep up with all the great advice and info! I'm totally addicted!

Indiana Loc: Huntington, Indiana

Sure, and in many ways there already are. You don't need a Realtor to sell a home. Simply present yourself and your buyer to a Title Company and they will handle everything for you for a very low price. Even valuing your home is accomplished by data collection sources that know everything about your home and neighborhood. Financing can be handled over the phone or app. Buyers routinely search for homes on-line and make arrangement directly with the seller. All that is needed is someone (professional) needs to visit the home and verify the existence and condition of components. Just for disclosure purposes I spent the last 45 years as a Real Estate Appraiser and Real Estate Broker. I see the trend in the profession.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I'll take the commission on a reasonable priced home any day over a measly $ 75 that most local Realtors are willing to pay, even if that commission is split 4 ways. As a professional, I have over $ 100,000.00 invested in my gear PLUS I have to have all the same things you have and I'll just bet my PP computer costs more than yours. It's the very low fee that most Realtors are willing to pay that is a disgrace. I'm not asking for a cut of your fee, just a fair price for my time spent and the quality of the job. Good photography helps sell homes, just as a good Realtor does. Best of luck.

Goldyrock

As a Realtor, the only time that I will use a cell phone is for the exterior just to get it into the MLS to be legal. At the same time I use my Sony A77 and take "Real Photos". Then I PP them, and enter them into the listing. Our MLS allows up to 50 photos, up from 12. Most of the listings here all look alike with the same artificial skys. If I need a drone, I just hire someone to do it. I have a problem with my balance, and can't stand for a long time.

clherms

Wow - I am impressed! Thanks for sharing. I do a bit of event work, but definitely am inspired to up my game after seeing these.

Cynthia

howIseeit Loc: Kootenays, BC Canada

Interestingly that You mentioned artificial sky! I too have noticed, that RR pictures from seventies did not need that part of process. The skies were natural looking back then. I recall some dodging and burning of images for dramatization effect but that was fun. No PP like today was available. I find myself avoiding the sky part of the image as much as possible nowadays.

Bubbee Loc: Aventura, Florida

I was not disparaging professional photographers! Yes, you are underpaid and I am in awe of you. My response was to the comment made comparing the photographer's pay for two days' work to the commission which probably took months of hard work to earn. With some deals, if you break down the time spent, it comes down to minimum wage! But I agree with you, that professional pictures are very important, and, unfortunately, are worth much more than the going rate. I think we're sort of in a 'catch 22'! There are two sides to the story!

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I understand both sides pretty well as I am also a licensed Realtor, also semi-retired, and I know, first hand, how challenging it can be. MUCH better to sell a million dollar home each month as opposed to renting 4 apartments. Now, to get to that point! As you might imagine, I handle my own listings, and don't pay myself much for it. I will also work for other Realtors when the circumstances dictate. I'm not disparaging professional Realtors either, just stating that a fair value should be paid for all work and you do get what you pay for. I've done quite a few jobs that others have done badly and I'm good, but far from the best at it. Best of luck.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

The realtors screen the customers and provide honest info to the buyers and sellers if they are good. They can also recommend someone to make repairs, paint, etc., on a house you are trying to sell if they are good. When we sold our house and people knocked on the door to see the house without an appointment we told them to call the realtor and make an appointment.

The realtor who sold us our new house said she would look at the house first and tell us if it was worth our time to view it. She did and we did.

There's no doubt web sites like Zillow and MLS and Google earth have changed the way people shop for a house. Just like the internet has changed the way people have become more knowledgeable about illness and treatment and the law. But they still go to the realtor and the doctor and the lawyer, although they are likely to look at online reviews before they select one.