Of course basic photography is basic, but of all the professional (or advanced amateur) genres of the field, real estate is one of the simplest and most straightforward. If you can take a good picture of your house or apartment building, you are on the way. Any good book from the library on that subject, or on basic photography, should be enough basic training. Providing a few pictures of a house or other building is not hard with any camera (now they all have zoom lenses) with a little practice and experimentation, and digital lets you see if you need to take a shot over (right on the spot).
Real estate pictures don't win awards at photography competitions or sell to the general public as art, but an artistic nature will show. Agents send a photographer to take shots because it is not worth their time to do it, and the pay is far less than other professional assignments for photographers--most professionals probably do not do that work. (Professionals are also not hired to do mug shots for the police, though basic portrait knowledge is used.)
Note--I do not think real estate pictures are the same as classical architectural photography such as you find in corporate annual reports--those pictures are among the most expensive in all of photography, and very great skill and art are required. Realtors typically want good snapshots at a nominal cost. They can use these to point out the fireplaces or the kitchen remodel. By no means do I mean that this job is not worth doing--it opens doors and it is worth doing. But I mean that a beginner can soon do well with it.
Once you learn what shots the agents want, there is a sort of formula in it, just as there is for the more lucrative areas of photography, and I can't think of a better starting place in photography for learning the skills that can later be applied to additional work, with less pressure. Fortunately, with digital, you can take lots of pictures and let the client choose--there is no wasted film there.
On the other hand, today people may want videos of a house, and lots of them. More can go wrong with video than with still photos, and there is an element of style in video that starts where postcard pictures leave off. Even a sound element may be wanted, selling the virtues of the house. A good public library may have books that are up to date in this specialty--if not, try eBay. My public library has thousands of photography books, and I read hundreds of them when I started (and I own many now), but again, if you want to start with one specialty, the task is much easier. I myself have never taken an interest in video, though my digital camera can do it--Hollywood has a staff of hundreds of people to make movies, all of them well trained and experienced in the various arts, and if we make home movies, they look like home movies. If the customer does not have high artistic demands, a beginner can learn to satisfy them--again, with books and perhaps community college class. Many states have job-related training at community colleges or tech schools without charge or under a grant. (In Tennessee, all community college is free.) If you take a class, tell the teacher what your main interest is, and he or she will try to direct you there.
Of course, running your own business is also a learned skill as well as a talent--you have to learn that as well. Again, there are many books on running a photography business, but you don't need all the chapters for a start. Skip portraits, weddings, product shots, sports, models and photojournalism (most of the book). But read the parts about business aspects such as keeping records. Most states will license your business if you go to them, but they don't require it. (Farmers don't have to get a business license, but they can.) You probably won't have to collect sales taxes, but be sure. It is better to ask a lawyer--the tax man wants to tell you to pay taxes, and such things might be interpreted depending on how you operate. A picture may be taxed when sold retail, while photography work for hire is not.
Any living takes time to learn, even selling apples on the street. (There is a lot to learn there...) We have to find the balance between too much thinking and worrying, and not enough. In America, you can still start out a beginner and end up a pro. If you can find one or two customers willing to work with you, soon you can make your way. My own mantra has always been, "All business is personal." Only when I forgot that did I go astray. And don't forget common sense--it doesn't always work, but it is always a reasonable defense if you get in trouble.
Of course basic photography is basic, but of all t... (
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