Anyone doing real estate photography as a side gig?

If so, would love to hear about how you got started, if it’s worth it and what the challenges are?
I have not tried this. But I know a professional photographer in Annapolis who tried this seriously (invested a year+ in marketing, bought equipment like a tilt shift lens and gave it up very discouraged with this line of work). I've also spoken to a couple of photographers who shoot interiors. And I've researched this myself. What I'm going to share are general comments--there are always exceptions.

First, lots of real estate agents (residential and increasingly commercial) also expect video and drone photography as part of their package. So if you can't offer that, you're competing for low-end properties or need to work for someone else providing those services.

Second, you'll be told it's "camera ready" and it almost never is. "Camera ready" for a real-estate agent means "ready to show." But when you go in with your camera you've got hot spots on the glass and chrome/metal, there is no staging to produce a good composition (like an effective balance with a vase and flowers, the positioning of chairs, changing the angle on tables, steaming out wrinkles in the drapes, spotless windows). You may need to switch out lightbulbs to produce a better WB. So until you get a relationship with a firm or agent that is reliable and you're their "go to" person and they know what you expect, you need to assume that every shoot you do is preceded with a couple of hours of staging, setup, and cleaning work. Because "ready to show" is not "ready to shoot." And time of day is critical (you may need to shoot the property in the morning and then in the evening--because the front gets good light in the morning and there is a sunset in the evening that is a selling point).

Third, what will make you more money is to develop a relationship with an architectural/design firm. Maybe you just shoot interiors (like office space, conference rooms, lobbies). Or maybe you shoot the building. Once you've got a connection with an A&D firm, they're likely to keep coming back. And your fees will be much higher.
 
Yes, all commercial use requires license.
Most private use does as well, for flying above a certain altitude, flying so many feet away from the pilot, I can't recall all of the restrictions.

I was on a project site and the Owner had a drone they were flying to capture progress. One day they showed up and the drone wouldn't fly. It would get to 5' off the ground, then land and shut down. He tried several times but couldn't get it to fly. Eventually sorted out that Air Force One was in town that day, and their drone had been remotely disabled.
 

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