How Much Is Real Estate Photography?
As real estate markets across the United States continue to grow, there are more and more opportunities for photographers. But the question that most new and experienced real estate photographers face is how much should they charge.
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The answer to this question is a little complicated, but here are some of the best ways to determine your pricing:
Base Your Prices on Home Values
The prices for professional real estate photography are generally determined by the home price range in the area. That means that a photographer working in a city with high home prices will be able to charge more than one in a rural area with low home values.
Take Time to Research Your Market
You want your rates to be in line with the local market so that you can compete with your competitors and attract the best clients. That means researching home prices, average household incomes, and real estate markets in your area.
Focus on Quality Over Quantity
While you need to take lots of photos of each property, you also want to focus on taking great images that showcase the best parts of the homes. This will help you stand out in the marketplace and set you apart from other real estate photographers.
Consider Including Video Tours in Your Packages
Offering video tours is another way to boost your business and make it more competitive in the market. Videos can highlight the unique features of a home, making it more appealing to potential buyers and real estate agents.
Add a Rush Fee to Your Rates
If you get a request for a photo shoot at short notice, a rush fee is a smart move. A $25 to $50 extra will allow realtors to prioritize their time and have all the photos delivered as soon as possible.
Be Flexible and Accommodating
No two jobs are the same, so you may need to adjust your price depending on what kind of homes you shoot. For example, homes that have large-than-usual features can cost more than smaller ones because they take a longer amount of time to photograph and edit.
Be Prepared to Work Long Hours
When you’re a new real estate photographer, it can be hard to balance work with family and personal life. To make this easier, set a clear turnaround time for all of your packages.
You should make sure that you communicate the deadline for each package to your clients beforehand, as well as the amount of time needed to post-process the final images. This will help you avoid a surprise fee when it comes time to deliver the photos.
Create a Plan to Stay on Budget
You will need to factor in the costs of your camera gear and computer. Those expenses can add up quickly and cause you to lose money if you’re not careful. To make sure you’re not losing too much of your revenue, figure out how much it costs you to get each job done, and then figure out how much you can afford to spend on camera gear.