5 Lessons of Scaling A Real Estate Photography Company

In this video I talk about the lessons I have learned about scaling a real estate photography business! Over the last year, I have been focused on growing my real estate photography business and wanted to share the 5 things that have been the most crucial to scaling.
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[@thomaswatts9881]

Thats exactly where I am right now. Just hired on first photographer part time 3 days a week and training right now and scaling! I ended up buying all the same gear I have and handed it over to him as well. We are literally on the same page here love it!

[@Gerald_G]

Congratulations on the business scaling and new studio!

[@AlexSerrao]

Thank you!!

[@networkege]

Thank you

[@jeremybeal23]

The Creative director tip is gold. Definitely my next hire. Thanks Alex

[@AlexSerrao]

Happy to help!

[@formykingandhiskingdom1016]

Bro?!?! I was just thinking yesterday that I could really use your input again and was hoping you would post some more content!!! Glad to see your killing it still!!! 👌👌👌

[@AlexSerrao]

Going to be on here a lot now!

[@AMLunaMax]

You are speaking my language! Thanks for the wisdom and insight. 🙏🏽👍🏽

[@AlexSerrao]

My pleasure! 🙌

[@jakesescapesmedia]

Another great video! Each one you produce helps open my eyes about this industry more and more. This covered all the questions I would have liked to asked you on your Instagram Q&A! Thanks a lot buddy! Jake, Halifax, NS

[@AlexSerrao]

Love this!

[@nspinoy]

Such a great video! Considered starting my own business in real estate photography for about a year and finally pulled the trigger back in March. Been having steady client flow through the summer now. Couldn't of done it without learning from your videos. Keep up the great work man!

[@AlexSerrao]

Glad to hear it man! Keep it up!

[@JaredSpink]

Great Advice. Can't wait for the studio tour!

[@AlexSerrao]

Thanks Jared! I'll get on that podcast at some point!

[@1031ProductionsLLC]

Congratulations on your business expansion brother! You are an inspiration. I have been a videographer for a while now. Started my video production business in the summer of 2019 and just started shooting real estate photography about 10 months ago. Real estate photography HAS BEEN BOOMING!!! I have been considering outsourcing my photos, which gives me enough time to edit the real estate video I shot of the same house. Obviously, hiring another photographer is a little ways down the line for me but at the rate that this is going, I will need to revisit the question... But as I said, you are an inspiration and I appreciate your advice and your opinions in these videos. Salute!

[@AlexSerrao]

You got this! Focus on getting those big editing pieces outsourced. It's a key step to growth. You will never look back after you do it.

[@richryanphotography]

Bro!!! Super Helpful! I am right on the cusp of beginning to scale.... I thought I wanted to just keep it myself, but I am right where you were, deciding to either turn people away, raise prices and price out some people ( who have been great clients)... The question I have is how did you find the photographers, and how did you find a creative director? Great video man!!

[@jaidancraig]

Great video! I'm glad that you are uploading again. Congrats on scaling the business!!

[@AlexSerrao]

Thanks so much Jaidan! Appreciate the love on IG as well. I see you!

[@jaidancraig]

@@AlexSerrao ;)

[@allpro_photo]

Hey Alex love your content! Can you explain or make a video on how you do the day to dusk transition at 1:00? Ive been seeing this a lot lately. Thank you!

[@andrewkennedy6898]

I love the idea of the creative director and I think what you said makes a lot of sense. But would it make more sense just to pay a little bit more for better editing (not missing the little stuff you’re fixing) rather than pay another person to oversee? I guess you’re assuming there’s always goin to be stuff they miss. But will the CD also miss stuff?

[@JeepTJWheelin]

Expansion is a problem but a good one. If I ever get to that point, I might consider working with a competitor(s) in that, where we would help one another meet the demand. I was a staff and freelance TV cameraman for many years primarily shooting sports and news. And networking with other cam ops was typical. A lot of us would get double booked in any given day. And having a network of qualified cam ops was invaluable. Of course, it takes time to cultivate, you want someone trustworthy and with a solid work ethic. Anyway, great video!

[@Ben.Guiles]

Hey man! I run a real estate photography business in central PA we also have content studio for video and podcasting. How do you train these VA’s do you have SOP’s for each aspect? Is it an ongoing refining of workflow? We are expanding and this video helped a lot. Thank you

[@jaredmeche6325]

Good to see you upload. Awesome to hear things are moving in the right direction.

[@AlexSerrao]

Thank you!!

[@Rice_Cake_]

Congrats! Huge decision, how is it going at the end of 2022? Do you keep your same staff, are they consistently producing the quality you need or are you constantly fixing mistakes?

[@AlexSerrao]

The team is fantastic and will definitely be expanding in 2023. 2022 was a great year and we’re planning to blow it out of the water next year

[@skyview_media]

Is your creative Director locally where you’re at or are they also in Vietnam how did you find your creative director? Do you have a video on what your requirements were for hiring a creative Director. I’ve been doing my business for about two years and I’m at the point to where I just cannot physically do anymore because I handle everything. Sometimes I can’t deliver next day because I’m out shooting all day and I have no one to deliver the photos when they return from the editor.

[@andystern9451]

Great video! The algorithm apparently knew exactly what was on my mind this morning and delivered! You provide a ton of valuable info that I relate with, but don’t have anyone to discuss it with. It’s reassuring that I’m not alone in my daily struggles or even workflow. Even your point about having a creative director alone would make things SO much smoother. As someone who is used to having control of all aspects of the business and is worried about handing some of the work off to an employee, I’d love to hear more about your hiring process. Did you place advertisements or get referrals to find quality people? I’d really appreciate a video covering more about that aspect scaling. Stoked to have found your channel and to see more content. Best of luck!

[@AlexSerrao]

Thanks for the comment Andy! I will be making a video about all of that soon!

[@ot21951]

Quick curiosity, If you continue hiring Photographers/Creative Directors, what stops them from becoming your competitor? When they know your editors, clients, style of photos, etc. Is there is a contract in place before hiring them?

[@AlexSerrao]

My photographers have a 2 year non-compete they have to sign

[@derekmeccaphoto]

Amazing and inspirational. Thank you for talking about your scaling process. It's so relieving to think of the day where I don't have to spend all hours of the night all week editing photos at my computer! How did you go about finding a creative director? I'm not even sure where to start... who to look for. For one, I'm available every day and well into the evening to respond to emails and texts and everything... to find someone who can have such availability and devotion will be a challenge especially since I cannot imagine paying someone a living wage at this stage of my business.

[@AlexSerrao]

I think the next video is on finding a creative director!

[@smithmanish]

I am curious to know how payment works, how do you pay your employees? If you wanted to hire emplyees what do you offer?

[@AlexSerrao]

I definitely want to talk about this at some point but I’m ironing out exactly how to do it myself. I’m always learning too!

[@ASK_PLAY4u]

It's been a while, Alex... Hope you good man?

[@AlexSerrao]

Better than ever! Thanks man