Real Estate Photography Pricing: What To Know

When trying to get top-dollar for a home, real estate agents and private homeowners across the country need to showcase their houses in the best possible light. How do they get amazing images of their property? By hiring a real estate photographer. While it’s not as glamorous as portraiture or sports photography, real estate photography is a booming business. Becoming a real estate photographer is an excellent way to earn a living. You don’t need any special training or degrees to get started either. Here’s a basic guide to real estate photography pricing to help you on your career path!

Real estate photography equipment

Your equipment is by far your most important business expense. Unlike other types of photography, real estate photography doesn’t involve shooting people or animals. Because you’ll be photographing interior and exterior shots of a property, you don’t need as much elaborate equipment as you would in other photography specializations, like portraits or weddings. Plenty of beginner camera models can get the job done for real estate photography since you don’t need to worry about high-fps rates or autofocus. You can get by with something as simple as the Canon EOS Rebel T7, an excellent budget DSLR camera for less than $500. 

Since you’ll be shooting both sprawling front yards and cramped half-baths, you’ll need to carry different lens lengths to capture a variety of shots. The price of professional lenses can vary from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand, although you can find some excellent budget options on the market. The Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 is an excellent wide-angle lens ideal for exterior shots or extra-large rooms, and at just over $300, it’s perfect for beginners. You’ll also want to invest in a solid, heavy tripod, like the SLIK Pro 700 DX or the Manfrotto 190X, which both run around $200, and a good flash. The Yongnuo YN560 IV provides excellent light for less than $100. 

As your business grows, you can gradually upgrade your gear to more expensive options. Having higher-quality gear translates to higher-quality photos, which means you’ll be able to raise your rates! 

Factors that affect real estate photography pricing

There’s no one-size-fits-all fee that’s appropriate for every professional. You’ll have to take different variables into account when calculating your real estate photography pricing. Just like the homes you’ll photograph, location makes all the difference. If you’re in a big city like Portland or NYC, chances are you’ll be able to charge higher rates than a small town in Ohio. If the house is in a different neighborhood and you’ll have to drive for a few hours to reach it, you’ll also need to bear in mind the price of your gas as a business expense. 

The size of the house is also a huge factor. A 10,000-square-foot mansion will take significantly longer to shoot than a 650-square-foot studio apartment. Many real estate photographers offer pricing packages for homes based on square footage. You’ll also want to consider the number of photos you’ll deliver to the client. The more images you provide, the higher your fee should be. 

Add-ons will also affect your real estate photography pricing. Some real estate photographers provide advanced packages that include drone overviews or 3D walkthroughs. If your client wants edited photos, such as sky replacements or dusk-to-dawn shots, you’ll also need to charge for the amount of time you’ll spend editing in Lightroom and Photoshop. Consider all the services you’ll offer carefully before setting your official rates. You could always offer a sliding scale, depending on your client’s needs.