A real estate agent and a real estate photographer have similar job descriptions, even if they go about it differently: sell the property.

real estate photography everything you need to know

Both have to describe and show the house in ways that will catch a prospective client's eye and entice them to view the property in person. One profession uses words, while the other uses imagery.

Being a real estate photographer can mean having the responsibility of multiple "clients." You are hired by one client, likely the agent, while having a responsibility to the property and its owners, and lastly, the prospective buyers. They all have a vested interest of sorts; you need to do right by all of them.

If you're just venturing into real estate photographer, or want to ensure you're doing it well, read on for everything you need to know about this genre.

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Customize the Shot

The property is your portrait subject. As with all portrait sessions, you will need to customize it to depict the subject at its best.

Design the entire photo session creatively to best reflect the subject.
Never, never misrepresent the property.
Customize each photo session. There is no standard template for real estate photography other than photography basics.
If needed, scope out the site ahead of the shoot.

Equipment

It will be challenging at best to do real estate or architectural photography without the right equipment. Here's what you will (ideally) have on hand:

The full-frame digital camera is the best option because they cover the broadest area and produce consistently good images. You will want a large sensor size for better quality images, even under low light conditions.
Lenses matter when shooting real estate images, particularly in tight spaces. Your best bet will be a solid wide-angle lens to get the best details. If you're using a full-frame sensor camera, as we suggest, your wide-angle should be 16-35 mm.
Tripod - never leave home without it. Try to take photographs using as much natural light as possible. However, you will eventually need to shoot in limited light. Using a tripod will give you crisper images when using slower shutter speed. A lightweight, quality tripod you can easily set up and move around will be best.
Lights are critical to real estate photography because dark interiors don't sell. While you don't want to misrepresent how much light a room gets, you also don't want to short-change a space by making it appear darker than it really is. Plan on using several light sources (bring light stands).

Techniques

Be creative in your techniques, as mentioned above, and show the room and property from various angles.

Highlights: It's your job as a photographer to capture the highlights of each room. That can be anything from beautiful woodwork to stunning windows overlooking the ocean. Walk a room as you might as a buyer; then photograph it.
Lighting: You're better off over-exposing a room rather than underexposing. Properly placed lighting can also transform a room, and you might find that you need a strobe light. Play around with various shots and compositions. Use your light stands to add light where needed.
Composition: The best composition for real estate photography is landscape. This means you'll need to keep in mind the sky/ceiling, background/walls, mid-ground/furniture, foreground/more furniture, or floor space. Avoid shooting vertical unless you're focused on creating a vignette of details, such as woodwork, fireplace, telework, etc.
Wide-angle: Shoot wide to avoid making the room look smaller than it really is.
Edges and surfaces: Not every wall in a room needs to be shown in its entirety in a photograph, but its vertical edges must appear vertical.
Camera height: This matters for interior shots as it captures various angles; some angles are better than others. You may have to play around with this one to get the best image and accurate representation.
Interiors: It's trickier to shoot interiors than you might think or be accustomed to. You'll need the angle that most accurate (and best) captures the sense of space in the room. Again, you'll get better at knowing where to shoot from.
Views: If the home benefits from its views, be sure to capture them from both inside and outside.
Exteriors: When you're shooting the home's exteriors, keep in mind that it is the first thing anyone sees. Even if a house is beautiful, a poorly photographed exterior can deter viewings. Take your time and capture the home's assets, such as a pool, lush landscaping, and excellent curb appeal.

Timing

Employ the same rules for outdoor portrait photography.
Allow for plenty of time to shoot a property, possibly even a second visit.
Coordinate timing with the real estate agent to ensure that the homeowners and the house is ready for you - inside and out. (More on this in the next section.)
Maximize natural light to shoot exteriors.
Avoid shooting in bright sunshine.
Pick a cloudy, bright day or just before sunset at dusk.
If the home has landscape lighting, be sure to take a few images in the evening with those lights on.
Height matters for exterior real estate photography. Most images should be taken from a well-above eye level. Use a pole if needed.

Appearance and staging

The home must be photo-ready. This means it looks its best by being decluttered and is clean. Experienced real estate photographers often give the agent a checklist for the homeowners to ensure a house looks it is ready when they arrive to take pictures.

The checklist can help the homeowner get their home ready to show as well. The last thing you want is food crumbs and dishes in the kitchen and toys scattered across a lawn. Then waiting for the owner to clean it up.

Here's a general list you can tailor to your needs:

Clean all spaces (indoors and outdoors), surfaces, and mirrors.
Windows should be clean.
Put away personal items, including toys, photographs, and medicines.
The yard and landscapes should be cleaned up, weed-free, with lawn mowed and nice flowers planted.
Declutter all surfaces, including the fridge door (remove magnets), bookshelves should be neatly staged and not overstuffed, and tabletop and kitchen counters free from extraneous items.
Toilet lids should be down, and bathroom counter spaces decluttered of personal hygiene items.
Fresh flowers in vases throughout the home add a nice touch.
Rooms should not appear over-cluttered with furniture or knick-knacks.
Furnishings should appear new, not worn or old.
If necessary, the real estate agent can recommend the homeowner hire a professional stager.

Video services

Some photographers will also produce video tours of a house or property as demand for virtual tours has increased. It can be well worth your time to take a few courses to expand your skillset into videography. If it's not something that interests you, you could still monetize it (to a degree) by subcontracting this service out.

Drone Photography

Aerial photographs of a property, particularly of higher-end, luxury homes, is very popular with the onset of drone imagery. In some price points, a homeowner expects aerial imagery to be part of the property's marketing.

Like with videography, it might be well worth your time to learn to use drones to capture aerial images and videos. The details most agents and homeowners will expect are of the property and surrounding areas. Consider it the high-end video version of a geographical or map survey. You will need to research local laws about the piloting of drones and shooting aerial images. Most communities now have strict laws.

Prices

This is the tricky side to any small service business- pricing fairly for your skill, time, and investment in equipment. It's no different with real estate photography.

You should start by itemizing your costs, which include gear as well as business items such as insurance and studio rental or mortgage. You need to price things fairly but competitively as well. You're likely not the only real estate photographer in town. Also, offering advanced services such as drone aerials and videos can earn you more money.

You need to consider what others are charging in your area. If you belong to a networking photography group or forum in your area, you can start by asking them. Otherwise, let your fingers do the walking on the keyboard and check out other photographers' websites.

You will also need to factor in the amount of time you spend on a property, so consider the project's complexity. A simple, quick shoot might only earn you a few hundred dollars, but a more complex project at a large estate could make you into the thousands.

Lastly, your geography makes a difference. A real estate photographer in Dallas is likely not making what a photograph in Manhattan makes.

Contracts

Every photographer should use a business contract with every client. This will avoid the pitfalls of misunderstandings and misguided expectations. When it's written out, there's less likelihood of miscommunication. You will need a legal contract template that you can then adjust as needed for various projects. When in doubt about changes, consult an attorney to be on the safe side.

Ensure that whatever contract you use, it clearly details your services as a photographer, your responsibilities (what you will shoot), the client's obligations, and your price for the project. It's also a good idea to reference the turnaround time for the images. Both parties need to sign for the contract to be valid.

Insurance

Every photographer needs business and liability insurance. You aren't just running a business; you're entering onto private property. If you're hiring a helper, you need to have sufficient coverage for them if they are injured on the job. If you're renting a van for work purposes, you'll need the correct insurance and know if there are any tax implications.

Accounting/bookkeeping

You're a photographer, not a bookkeeper. As your business grows, so will the complexity of your bookkeeping and tax implications. Consider hiring an accountant. For your monthly financials, a bookkeeper might come in handy as well.

Conclusion

Real Estate Photography can be a lot of fun, particularly if you like interior design or architecture. It doesn't often require a lot of client interaction, and there aren't any live models, making it an ideal genre for an introvert.

However, it is a highly competitive field, which relies heavily on networking with more than one real estate agent to earn a reasonable income. (Many real estate photographers have to combine it with other genres to make a living.) In many instances, you will have to deliver images under a fairly tight deadline. A house can't go on the market without pictures, after all.

But once you get a foothold in the business, you can find it a gratifying opportunity!

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