Real Estate Photography

[Buong]

Hi All,

I've been reading through discussions about Real Estate Photography Business and I hear significant number of negatives about this Business, yet, there are a few franchising companies out there looking for expanding theirs. So, I am confused and wish to hear your point of view in this area of photography.

Please help to provide your thoughts and comments as much as possible as I really need them. Thanks much.

Regards,

Peter N

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Aren't there good and bad franchises. At best the franchisor has a good product (incl training, business systems, admin etc) and a franchisee can make a living. At worst it's a dodgy setup where the franchisor gets a 1 off payment and the franchisee gets shafted.

what I'm saying is just cause there are negatives to a business doesn't mean someone won't try and sell it to you.

[Nikkie]

real estate photography was something I thought about but after looking around online as we were in the market to buy as our house has just been sold I think if you live in a larger town or a City there would be a lot more opportunitys for this type of work. But the smaller town's mostly just do there own photos its a shame really but I am speaking as a buyer not a business person nor a photographer. But looking online at photos that the real estate took themself has a lot to be desired in many case's IE: they are selling a house so they show photos of each room normal yes I would think so but the many many many photos of house's I seen they are taking photos of a bed a lounge suit a dinning suit a dog in a hall a few kitchen cupboards now I don't know how to take photos of the inside of a house either to get the best angle of the room esp if the room is small but as a buyer I want to see the room not just a bed or cupboard I feel there is a lot of potential for real estate photography out there I guess it comes down to affordablity like I said I don't know how this works but for me it would have been nicer to see more of the rooms then most of these smaller towns show in there advertisments to sell the house the unit or what ever

[Buong]

Aren't there good and bad franchises. At best the franchisor has a good product (incl training, business systems, admin etc) and a franchisee can make a living. At worst it's a dodgy setup where the franchisor gets a 1 off payment and the franchisee gets shafted.

what I'm saying is just cause there are negatives to a business doesn't mean someone won't try and sell it to you.

Hi DP Roberts,

Thanks much. Do you personally think Real Estate Photography is a bad or dead Business ?

Regards,

Peter Nguyen

[Buong]

real estate photography was something I thought about but after looking around online as we were in the market to buy as our house has just been sold I think if you live in a larger town or a City there would be a lot more opportunitys for this type of work. But the smaller town's mostly just do there own photos its a shame really but I am speaking as a buyer not a business person nor a photographer. But looking online at photos that the real estate took themself has a lot to be desired in many case's IE: they are selling a house so they show photos of each room normal yes I would think so but the many many many photos of house's I seen they are taking photos of a bed a lounge suit a dinning suit a dog in a hall a few kitchen cupboards now I don't know how to take photos of the inside of a house either to get the best angle of the room esp if the room is small but as a buyer I want to see the room not just a bed or cupboard I feel there is a lot of potential for real estate photography out there I guess it comes down to affordablity like I said I don't know how this works but for me it would have been nicer to see more of the rooms then most of these smaller towns show in there advertisments to sell the house the unit or what ever

Hi Sandy,

Whilst it is true there are lots more opportunities in the metropolitan areas but also there are high level of competitions.

In regional areas like where you are, most of real estate agents take photos themselves, they have to visit the house, measuring land and so they take the photos as well. However, it is also an opportunity because of that reason, as long as you can prove your photos are much better and it is helping the agencies to draw more customers to make enquiries. The cost of photography eventuates at customer's pocket not at the agencies'. So, please don't discard it off your mind.

Regional areas also have other advantages such as:
- Large parcel of lands or large houses: Opportunity for aerial photography, virtual tours and floor plan provisioning.
- I find lots of regional houses being advertised and marketed by the owners (not through agencies) so they would rather pay a bit extra dollars for nice photo to attract more viewers.

Regards,

Peter N

[Scottymc]

Good real estate photographers are always in need. As are good photographers. You have to be dedicated and smart though. if your trying to make your own franchise work be prepared to put in 15+ hour days on a consistant basis and weekends - espicially weekends.
If your really keen on it why not ask for more information from them?

[Buong]

Good real estate photographers are always in need. As are good photographers. You have to be dedicated and smart though. if your trying to make your own franchise work be prepared to put in 15+ hour days on a consistant basis and weekends - espicially weekends.
If your really keen on it why not ask for more information from them?

The problem is I am not smart in Business and that might be a problem.

It is not entirely for me when thinking about this Business as I still hold a full time job, I contacted three franchisors but only one replied and I am considering to discuss a bit deeper with this company.

Recently, I wanted to put my small home for sales so I asked the Real Estate Agent (the one I know) to take my own photos. He is the director of this agency and also a photo enthusiast, although I know I can improve a bit more but the RE Agent already said it looked pretty good and I have had lots of visitors viewing the property. Unfortunately, I've to put it off the market after just more than a week of advertising because of the current market condition.

This is where my thought of RE Photography started from.

I really wish to receive feedbacks from experienced people like you all here with the opinions such as:

- IS RE Photography an emerging Business or long dead Business ?
- Would the Sellers spend money for a professional shoot rather than leave it for RE agent to take care ?
- Can this Business be profitable ? or it would only stay as part time ? I see many photographers do portraits and RE at the same time
- For starters, should I need to join a Franchise ?

Oh yeah, there are lots of questions in mind ... so please give me more of your points of view which would help me greatly in making up my mind :)

At the same time, I will give my own opinions for the others who also have thoughts of going into this path.

Regards,

Peter N

[William W]

I've been reading through discussions about Real Estate Photography Business and I hear significant number of negatives about this Business, yet, there are a few franchising companies out there looking for expanding theirs. So, I am confused and wish to hear your point of view in this area of photography.
Please help to provide your thoughts and comments as much as possible as I really need them. Thanks much.

If you want comments on Real Estate Photography as a (viable) Business – then my comment is go for High end Real Estate in the most fluid market and deal with Real Estate Agents which pay for quality and pay on time.
And you will need to know your business and also your Photography.
Arguably, in 2012, within AUS, there are few (geographic) places available to venture – the eastern and inner city of Sydney and perhaps some enclaves of Melbourne.

On the other hand your post #7 indicates that your question is not about a viable stand alone business but rather a secondary income flow, and in this case you might reconcile a fiscal loss with fun and or experience gained: so that not a “business” in the strict sense of the description.
In this case, the question is about experience and the a business of “doing Photography” and not about a “Business”, so of this is what you want find (local) Real Estate Agents which will allow you to realize your Photographic desires and also pay something towards keeping your interest flowing.

WW

[Buong]

Hi William,

Firstly, Thank You for participating. It is great to see more comments about this business.


If you want comments on Real Estate Photography as a (viable) Business – then my comment is go for High end Real Estate in the most fluid market and deal with Real Estate Agents which pay for quality and pay on time.

Yes, it is quite true. Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider my area is part of High end Real Estate, in fact, I spoke to another Real Estate agency and discover that they take most of the photo and when they ask for a photographer they pay quite low.


and you will need to know your business and also your Photography


On the other hand your post #7 indicates that your question is not about a viable stand alone business but rather a secondary income flow, and in this case you might reconcile a fiscal loss with fun and or experience gained: so that not a “business” in the strict sense of the description.
In this case, the question is about experience and the a business of “doing Photography” and not about a “Business”, so of this is what you want find (local) Real Estate Agents which will allow you to realize your Photographic desires and also pay something towards keeping your interest flowing.

Viewing the photos floating on the Internet, I find that I can easily meet if not better but since I don't have yet a portfolio so I was thinking of joining a Franchise since it is already established and it sounds as it has all needed key elements such as marketing, training, backups etc.

Although, it is part time for me but it is a full time for my partner and the investment can be well up to $55k and it is the amount that I have to take out from refinancing, therefore, I don't want to lose it because of making wrong choice.

With question about my photography, please help to see if these samples of photo would meet...

10666

Regards,

Peter N

[Scottymc]

In my opinion if you want to make it in high end your attention to detail has to be rediculous. Not just photography but you the photo you take you need a clear image ( which will probably come with experience)
If you want professional C & C on these photos (which is what you need) I will apologise first for being ruthless here.
1. The mess of wires needs to be completely removed before the photo or cloned out .
2. You need to obtain detail in your lights, I have no idea what sort of down lights you have and its a big feature.
3. There are burnt highlights etc. and the composition just makes them normal shots.
The limitations you will need to over come is
Learn to use multiple flashes at once and control colour balance and lighting over a whole room. Which will take practice but if you apply yourself it may end up being a lot of fun. Try it around your house if you have an external flash. Buy some cheap big reflectors or make them out of white foam boards and look how light moves in your photos. Its a lot of fun.
I know all this because its the mistakes i have made in the only time ive done real estate photography.
I think there could be a market though but it would all come down to marketing.
I failed miserably ( i think anyway) at it. its very technical to get it perfect.
A few samples of mine
http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6016/5932723711_dbbafda97f_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottymcadamphotography/5932723711/)
_MG_5933.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottymcadamphotography/5932723711/) by Scotty McAdam! (http://www.flickr.com/people/scottymcadamphotography/), on Flickr
I was shooting for a friend though so i cant go to bad hahaha

One thing i will agree though is that they are better than just about every real estate photo i see haha.

[xaiya]

Fascinating thread! Sorry I don't have anything useful to add. I've often wondered about this kind of photography and what the real estates do (it usually looks like a point and shoot job with auto flash etc). I've never shot anything like this myself and would prob be rubbish at it but always criticise the re pics I see. I think that it's a real art to master if you are serious though.

[Buong]

Hi ScottMC,

Thanks much for your valuable comments and I agree to many of them. Please I allow me to also share and adding what I've learnt RE photography so far

Unfortunately at the time I shot #1 photo, I can not remove those cords (but I should have cloned them out). So, yes, this is one of the critical component. Many other times, we also have to bring our own cushions and other decorating items to include into the shooting too. Eye for detail is a must.

Although, I do have flashes and even strobes but I did not use any in this series of shots and I intended to so. It was done via HDR as it is an emerging technique to be use widely in RE photography (according to what I've read) :)

In real situation, Strobes or flashes must be used. If joining the Franchise system, the training will take around 2 weeks to learning different aspects of the Business and the techniques. Proper professional camera and accessories must be invested. Most of the shootings requires only one strobe.

A part from lighting, the importance of shooting also needs to pay extra detail into the lines, the levels and the angles of shooting. From another RE discussion, I took the chance to see all of your related photos shooting at dust/dawn (I also look at others' photos too), most of them are great but there are certain photos that the angles of shooting I did not like, but then it is just my opinion when studying RE photography in detail. A lot of photos out there I also don't like the angles of shooting. When looking into high end properties, those angles of shooting become quite apparent.

Having said that, at some aspects, I dislike my own photos as well. :)

Anyway, Taking into account of the competitions of in this Business, the locations and high level of quality expectations, I might have to put this venturing thought aside and stay as a hobbist, continuing to learn for now. My partner just needs to look for something else to do.

Many Thanks to All who have helped to contribute comments into this discussion which have helped me immensely.

Cheers,

Peter N

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

Hi DP Roberts,

Thanks much. Do you personally think Real Estate Photography is a bad or dead Business ?

Regards,

Peter Nguyen

One of my clients specialises in RE photography, from memory he said they charge $300 (or maybe it was less) to measure up the house, prepare a floor plan and shoot the house. This was high end property too, not just the cheap end. In my mind to get the customer, drive there, shoot it, measure it etc, yes I wouldn't be interested and would call that a bad business venture. You may or may not have other ideas and or the market in your area could be different. My gut feel was his business was equating to sub $50 per hour which considering superannuation, leave etc was a bad deal. On top of that if I had to pay $50k for a franchise to buy into it I'd be peeved.

[William W]

With question about my photography, please help to see if these samples of photo would meet...


If you are asking for critique of these images and the suitability with reference to buying into a franchise photography business, then my critique is irrelevant - the question to ask is: are these suitable pictures for that franchise business.

I commented about Real Estate Photography as a viable business and it is my opinion that for it to be a viable business, one must address it, as I previously stated.

I do not know the ins and outs of the Franchise Business Arrangement that you are considering and therefore cannot make comment on that specifically other than to say that in general terms: Good Franchise Businesses are run firstly to be at nil cost to the Franchiser to set up a new Franchisee and to then benefit the Franchiser as a result of the success of a percentage of the total number Franchisees.

WW

[Buong]

One of my clients specialises in RE photography, from memory he said they charge $300 (or maybe it was less) to measure up the house, prepare a floor plan and shoot the house. This was high end property too, not just the cheap end. In my mind to get the customer, drive there, shoot it, measure it etc, yes I wouldn't be interested and would call that a bad business venture. You may or may not have other ideas and or the market in your area could be different. My gut feel was his business was equating to sub $50 per hour which considering superannuation, leave etc was a bad deal. On top of that if I had to pay $50k for a franchise to buy into it I'd be peeved.

Thank you for your indicative advise. Doesn't sound good at all.

[Buong]

If you are asking for critique of these images and the suitability with reference to buying into a franchise photography business, then my critique is irrelevant - the question to ask is: are these suitable pictures for that franchise business.

I commented about Real Estate Photography as a viable business and it is my opinion that for it to be a viable business, one must address it, as I previously stated.

I do not know the ins and outs of the Franchise Business Arrangement that you are considering and therefore cannot make comment on that specifically other than to say that in general terms: Good Franchise Businesses are run firstly to be at nil cost to the Franchiser to set up a new Franchisee and to then benefit the Franchiser as a result of the success of a percentage of the total number Franchisees.

WW

Thanks for your valuable advises, William.

[Barry]

Hi William,

Firstly, Thank You for participating. It is great to see more comments about this business.



Yes, it is quite true. Unfortunately, I wouldn't consider my area is part of High end Real Estate, in fact, I spoke to another Real Estate agency and discover that they take most of the photo and when they ask for a photographer they pay quite low.





Viewing the photos floating on the Internet, I find that I can easily meet if not better but since I don't have yet a portfolio so I was thinking of joining a Franchise since it is already established and it sounds as it has all needed key elements such as marketing, training, backups etc.

Although, it is part time for me but it is a full time for my partner and the investment can be well up to $55k and it is the amount that I have to take out from refinancing, therefore, I don't want to lose it because of making wrong choice.

With question about my photography, please help to see if these samples of photo would meet...

10666

Regards,

Peter N

Big things I see. Your vertical lines are not vertical. Reason, shot 1 - shot too high and pointing down. Second shot - shot too low and still pointing down. You need to get your camera about four feet off the ground and pointing DEAD SQUARE AND LEVEL.

Close the door to the hallway when you shoot a kitchen. Flowthrough is nice during a home open, but for a photo, you need to shoot the room you are in, not the next one. Minimise minimise minimise. Get rid of nearly EVERYTHING except major furniture and appliances. A kettle and or a toaster is ok because it gives some scale, but get rid of everything else. Attention to detail. Sink plugs, tea towels, rolls of towelettes, tissue boxes, soap dispensers, wires, cables, fridge magnets, bath mats, bath towels and hand towels, turn all the lights on, don't shoot the backs of chairs up close, push big furniture back away from the camera or take it out of the room while you shoot it. No-one looking at house photos is interested in what's in the room unless it is being sold with the house. Show the room, not the crap in it. If it doesn't need to be there, adds clutter or detracts from showing off THE ROOM, then get rid of it.

Keep your ethics too. Don't clone out major breakages, cracks, holes, burns and stains. If the house is being sold as is, then shoot it as is. If a steam cleaner will get the marks out of the carpet and you are sure that's going to get done, then sure, clone it out. But I would rather wait until the steam cleaning has been done and then shoot it. Don't clone out powerlines/poles outside. You can shoot angles where you don't see them, that way your photograph is not a lie, even though they are not shown.

Get rid of the wheelie bins, move the trampoline out of shot, roll up the hoses or take them out. Keep the gate closed and don't let the pets out. Watch your step for squishy land-mines that smell.

Be prepared for dodgy real-estate agents, tenants and vendors. And I warn you, REAL CROOKS! Ive worked with mostly good ones, but some of the others would make your skin crawl.

Be prepared to do a lot of work on site, you are not just a photographer, you are a furniture removalist and cleaner as well. If you think you are not, then you won't get many more jobs. You will encounter maggots, dead rats, faeces and all manner of revolting filth under rugs, chairs and general surfaces. Get some rubber gloves.

Good luck.

Baz.

[Scottymc]

how did you end up going with this oen mate?