I'm just an amateur photographer, and now that I'm retired, I've considered RE photography a number of times in the past 3-4 years. Other than doing a quick shoot for a friend a year ago whose agent posted out of focus, poorly lit cell phone photos of his house, I have never done any RE photography.
However, my research has shown me a number of truths:
1. Real Estate photography is just as much of an 'art' as is any other aspects of photography. Thinking it's merely 'take a lot of shots and post them' is a major mistake. The online photos in the RE listing can make the difference of whether a potential buyer decides to make a drive by or click on the next home listing.
2. Like everything else, including photography, it's practice, practice, practice.
3. As in all photography, lighting is most important. Some high-end RE photographers use multiple flashes to effectively light a room.
4. Contending with outdoor lighting while shooting inside gets tricky...especially when it's dark outside or overly bright, as on a sunny day with snow cover.
5. Shooting exterior shots requires paying attention to where the shadows on the house are. Shooting my friends house required 3 trips until I got full sun on the front of the house and could shoot it without the utility pole and wires in his front yard being obvious.
6. Proficiency in post processing is required.
7. Realizing that many RE agents are satisfied with using their cellphone for pictures in the listing makes pricing your work even at $10/hr difficult. For an average 2-3 bedroom house and yard, figure at least 1-2 hours on site, if not more. Then add in 5 minutes post processing time for EACH photo you took...doesn't matter if you delete it or not, figure 5 minutes. Would an agent be willing to pay you $100 for your work? Would you accept $50 as someone else may charge those kind of prices. Don't forget to count the cost of gas for your car to get there and back, as well as meet with the agent, arranging a time with the owners when the house will be freshly cleaned and going there at THEIR convenience. And if you really want to go crazy, amortizing the cost of your camera gear, computer and software, into your pricing.
8. Have zero expectation on EVER getting called by an agent wanting to use your services. I have an acquaintance that's an RE agent, so my first attempts would be with her. As homes in 'her' area are priced in the $100K to $400K range, I don't think she'd be afraid of paying $100...after the house sells and she gets her money. I'd probably spend 10-12 hours altogether in doing the shoot and editing the pix. Getting called by agents that don't know you is the hard part, as they may already have photographer friends THEY might be using.
9. And the odds of getting a Better Homes & Gardens level of home shoot? Or even a million dollar home shoot? LESS THAN ZERO! THOSE agents use high end professional photogs that probably charge $10,000 for the shoot...and that is still less than the cost of their gear!
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