How to Get Started in Real Estate Photography

Are you new to real estate photography and don't know how to get started or how to get your first clients? I understand your frustration and I know that it can feel insurmountable but you can do it! In this video I outline some ideas to help get you started and get your first clients.
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THANKS FOR WATCHING!

[@isleznutz]

Hey Mike, another great helpful video. One additional thing I did was going to new home builder's model homes and asking to take practice shots. I actually got hired by one of the builders for some work that way as well.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Great! Thanks for sharing that!

[@melhayes204]

Just subscribed. Tip for building out a portfolio: Contacting FSBO listings in your on Zillow. Most have crappy photos or no photos. Ask if you can shoot their house. Practice getting over your fear of no, communication skills, being in a new environment, etc... My biggest fear is dealing with people and being told no. This helped with that.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Great tip thanks!

[@melhayes204]

@Maria Christina For Sale By Owner.

[@citylimitsphoto]

@Mel Hayes How did you contact them and how did you word your contact message, I have been considering posting my services on Craigslist as well. Thanks

[@melhayes204]

@@citylimitsphoto Hey Randall, Agents usually don't have their info listed on Zillow but for sell by owners do. You can call or text them and ask them if they are interested professional photos. "Hi I saw your listing on Zillow and noticed you dont have professional photos. Photos that best show your home can get buyers interested in your home. I'm offering owners who are selling their home photos for 'free/half off/discount' would that be something you would be interested in?

[@citylimitsphoto]

@@melhayes204 Here is the contact email I have come up with. My name is Randall and I am the owner of Red River Drone Service. I noticed your listing on Zillow and would love to shoot one of your listings at no charge. This shoot would include up to 35 interior and exterior images and 5-10 aerial images. I am currently working to expand my photography in to servicing the real estate market. I am happy to meet with you in person about this offer. Thank you Mel, I currently do aerial drone photos of commercial real estate and have a portfolio to show agent the quality I offer.

[@Rjubb11]

Got a 10-18mm Cannon lens on the way. I already have a Cannon T3I which should be good to start on (even though it is kind of old). Because of you and your helpful videos the aerial photography side of my business is slowly but surely picking up. I now have my second client and we’ll be taking pictures for two large and upcoming construction projects. I’m sure i’ve said it before but your videos are fantastic!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Awesome, so glad to hear it!

[@Sarahlee52106]

Hey man, I sincerely appreciate you and your channel. This message was very comforting to me as a new and inspiring real estate photographer/videographer. Thank you for taking the time to make these informative yet inspirational videos. God bless you!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thank you! Much appreciated and best of luck with it!

[@greenpepper2]

I want to share my awesome opportunity I got from my uncle. He is a real estate agent for farms, houses and estates! He wanted me to help him with editing his pictures and videos as I was quite good at it.. Then he later asked to come with him on shoots and even let me fly his drone! I also get paid a little. Although, it is an awesome way to start out with RL photography and I can't wait to expand further to other people near me! Your videos have helped me out more than you can imagine Mike! :D Thanks so much for making it all free and accessible to anyone.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

So glad to hear it! Keep working at it and I wish you the best of luck with it!

[@greenpepper2]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography 😋😜 What do you do if you get 2 clients wanting you to shoot the same place?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

@@greenpepper2 I’ve definitely shot the same house more than once because the listing switched agents.

[@stephenferraro]

Mike....... your videos, thoughts, and extremely well put together approach to RE Photography, landed me my first job this week!! Happy Thanksgiving! Here's to yourself and folks alike, if you have a dream and truly work for it, you WILL SUCCEED! Many Thanks, Cheers!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

That’s fantastic to hear!! Congrats on the gig and I hope it goes well. Happy thanksgiving! Cheers

[@saintnate88]

I just want to say thank you so much for your videos and your time putting t together for us, It's helping me so much, thank you!!!!!!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Nathan Taubert thanks so much! Really appreciate that!

[@HiFocusedCinematography]

Thank you for all your help on this! Excited for my next property shoot!

[@yamahagh]

all of your videos are awesome, many thanks and please keep them coming.

[@bradleymvranish5840]

AMAZING VIDEOS. Please don’t stop!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Bradley M Vranish thank you!

[@yalelop428]

10K RE!!

[@djcrash77]

Great advice! Thanks!

[@Skidmark0606]

PRICING! THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT. People don’t get what making yourself cheap does to everyone else.

[@Legendaryfiremedia]

Great video! That was incredibly helpful! I've been working my way and doing virtual tours using the insta360 one r and now I have the mavic 3 trying to add more value to real estate photography by adding drone photography and videography. It's been a steep curve and a lonely road but well worth it. This video has give me a wealth of valuable information and I will certainly subscribe. Thanks again.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Thanks and best of luck with everything!

[@alexk574]

Another great video, Thanks a lot Mike

[@henrykwan1932]

Hey Mike great video on getting started... can you make a video talking about the backend stuff to get started such as setting up a business account, what licenses you may need, insurance, etc.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

That could be a good idea, thanks!

[@anthonyk27]

Thank you for the helpful, very helpful tips

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Anthony K. Thanks!

[@onthemovewithfiifi5811]

Great job. Very helpful. Thank you.

[@allcarbooking]

great suggestion , thank you!

[@RobertoNelook]

Many thanks for this video. This is all what I need to know.

[@RonaldBrown59]

Great information, and thanks for sharing.

[@silver.valley.studios6550]

I got my RE license and go on the MLS and look for properties that have crappy pictures and send them to the listing agent with a watermark across the picture and ask them if they are interested in purchasing. Have picked-up a few clients this way. It also helps me preview the property as an agent. So I kill two birds with one stone lol.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Nice!

[@BeastModeFitness11]

how is ur business going>? I'm looking into becoming a realtor and also interested in real estate photography. Do you like being an agent? Can you make a good living only doing real estate photgraphy?

[@silviavillamizar1006]

Well, all of that is gonna be difficult if you're new to the town and know NOBODY, like literally nobody 😅 So how can I build a portfolio if I don't know anyone that can allow me to take pics of their house?

[@krystyna1993]

Same

[@MrRamonlv]

I recently got an offer to work part time at a real estate photography business as a photographer and drone operator. I shot my house and the photos were pretty good. It’s hourly, and they require me to sign a non-compete agreement valid until 1 year after my employment termination. I don’t know what average wages are and I’m having trouble deciding whether I should take the job, what do you think?

[@drewrobertson6286]

The simple answer is NO. What are you gonna do for a living for 12 months after you quit or get fired? This is a common practice to bully you & push you out of the market. Try to renegotiate the terms, something like when you quit you will continue to work for them part time for 6 months until they get someone else up & running. This helps you both out, but signing a contract like that is black listing 12 months of your life, would they black list themselves? No, so why sho7ld they expect you to? Good luck 🍀

[@36206]

Mike, could you mention if you should obtain an LLC, or be required to have some type of liability insurance, State or local business license and permits. For me, It’s just a hobby at this time, and it’s friends that have requested my services for free. I’m entertaining the idea of making this a part time gig for retirement. Thanks for all the detailed information and how to vids.

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I would absolutely recommend having liability insurance. You could do an LLC or just operate as a sole proprietorship. LLC will obviously protect your assets if you ever got sued or something but this isn’t that risky of a business or dealing with large sums of money.

[@MontanaKat1912]

I love to take photographs and I'm very good photographer. I've notices lately on realtor in my area. Some of the photos are sideways and blurry. I'm like, "I can do a better job." I'm trying to figure out how to start. Do I need to take a class? I did contact my realtor as I'm trying to buy my first home. I'm tired of renting. lol I've been wanting to do exploring old abandoned houses. But, that is just to risky. Are those drones easy to fly?

[@CaseyLaarkamp]

One of the ways I have thought about getting my name out would be going to local RE investor meetings and introducing myself to the other attendees with business cards at the ready. Any thoughts on the effectiveness of this?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I’m not really sure about that specifically but If it’s an event where real estate agents are present then I would say it’s definitely worth at shot!

[@coreyforte6673]

When scheduling to shoot with someone that you’re doing for yourself and not contract under someone do you require them to make a deposit first or do you show them all the photos after and then once they pay you send the photos to them

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Hi don’t take a deposit but yes, I send watermarked proofs and then once they purchase they get a download link for the photos.

[@coreyforte6673]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography thank you

[@charliemojo]

hello, i just got started in real estate photography and video and im having a tough time deciding this hope you can help?. I cant decide if i should buy a professional camera like sony a7iii, because im afraid the quality might be as good as my iphone 11 pro... what do you think? does the profesional sony or canon camera with (15-30mm lens) aprox make a significant difference?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Carlos Telleria Kaltschmitt Hey Carlos! 100% no doubt a professional camera will yield better quality and also the capabilities are far beyond your phone. I would definitely recommend getting a camera. If you’re thinking about getting the a7iii (my top choice for RE photography) please consider using my link to purchase, thanks! amzn.to/2XvdHvB

[@melhayes204]

Hi Carlos, most agents shoot on their phone and some even use lower end DSLR's. You will need to invest in a full censor camera to separate yourself.

[@TinyRedFlags]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography I’ve added the camera you recommend here to my cart on Amazon. 😊 How do you recommend learning how to use it? I’ve never shot with a professional camera before and am very excited to learn. Do you have any videos on this? Thank you!

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

@@TinyRedFlags thanks! my real estate photography basics video has a rundown of camera settings and basic shooting techniques so that’s a good place to start: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYKbqqKjhdKCpdU If you any questions on anything I’ll help in any way I can!

[@youmarc11]

I have to much social anxiety to attend real estate agent meetings and walk into real estate offices. I'd rather just send out a bunch of emails to agents every day and let it grow from there.

[@michalzvonar6799]

I'm in the same situation right now. Does sending daily emails worked?

[@bryanrios6118]

Very informative video! Quick question I have a budget DSLR canon 90d camera and just wondering what kind of lens are good? Is a 10-18mm plus a 18-50mm good Lens to start?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Something that is 10 or 11mm on the wide end for that camera is where you want to be

[@bryanrios6118]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Awesome thank you! Will be buying 10-18 mm Lena based off of your opinion!

[@josephcook1276]

What do you do for insurance? Trying to figure the best place to cover all photography and video equipment including drones as well as liability

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I use State Farm. Best rates for drone coverage that I could find.

[@josephcook1276]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography do they cover all the other equipment and liability as well?

[@vic_cc244]

Can I use my Sony a7iii?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Yes, absolutely!

[@kalunng9859]

Can you start at 17 years old?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

Sure can!

[@ericvil600]

Hi is this a great career?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

It certainly can be!

[@UGotTheFunk]

Did you pay for insurance when you were only doing it part time?

[@InsideRealEstatePhotography]

I didn’t have insurance in the very beginning for a bit until it became more significant. It’s not expensive though and I would suggest getting it if you going into peoples homes to shoot.

[@UGotTheFunk]

@@InsideRealEstatePhotography Thanks again for the reply!!

[@musselmanmedia5236]

DONT FORGET TO BLINK! MORE EMOTION PLEASE

[@KGDubstep]

blink at least once

[@juanlash]

I don’t have friends who would let me take photos of their homes…

[@romiemiller7876]

Working cheap makes clients think your work is cheap, that's not very good. You can't by a new Rolls Royce for $25,000.

[@giovannifiorentini8295]

Walking into a real estate agency is very intrusive and annoying

[@TinyRedFlags]

This is what I’ve been worried about! Are you writing as a realtor?