Real Estate Photography Contracts | Insights from a $200K/year photographer

[@jameslindsey7664]

They say verbal agreements are worth the paper they're written on. Having a written agreement in place protects the client and the photographer. It's not like the agent doesn't understand the value of a written agreement. I think the reason photographers avoid it is fear of rejection.

[@alanabley525]

Wouldn't it make sense to have brief terms and conditions that only have to be acknowledged at the start of a relationship, of a check mark on line? Can't they just give the photos to anyone they like, perhaps builders who you could eventually license to.

[@wonderfulnews5950]

Preciate all the content lately , very good info keep it up alex

[@AlexSerrao]

Thank you!

[@Anna-qo1nv]

That’s how I’ve been doing my RE Photo bus and works fine. BTW - in your video around minute 1:05 why did you not get rid of the cord and the shoes?

[@skymakai]

You make a lot of good points. Maybe you changed your viewpoint in the last couple of years since your business has grown. But I had to comment because you don’t even mention just having an attached ‘terms & conditions’ invoices. This is perpetuating the idea that photographers don’t need any sort of contract or terms and conditions. This results in more and more real estate agents assuming they own the photos as a work for hire. As professional, it’s disappointing when agents go through years of their careers with this false idea, surprised and claiming “In my 30 years as an agent I’ve never had a contract with a photographer.” In a recent video you talk about making your own “stock” library, so you seem to understand that you’re not selling the photos, but actually a license. You know you can re-sell licenses to multiple agents. How about an updated video on this topic to replace this one, so more photographers don’t think they should go without any sort of terms?

[@LP-ej9ys]

Thank you for all your content! I'm working on my first steps of becoming a real estate photographer and all this is so helpful.

[@AlexSerrao]

Glad I was able to help!

[@tbeiber09]

i was thinking about going the route of having an overall base contract between me and the agent but have all their other jobs just fall under that original contract to kind of have the protection but not wasting the extra time

[@kcidd12]

So how do you handle payment? also how do you deal with late payments?

[@triplewinlin5576]

Good thoughts. Do you collect payment upfront before you send the photos to your customers?

[@paulm315]

How do you deal with the payments, are they done before or after you get the job done? And what if for some reason a client doesn’t want to pay what they owe, how do you go about that given that you have no proof of the agreement thats been made? Thanks man 🤜

[@AlexSerrao]

I always send an invoice with the photos. So far I’ve never had anybody skip out on a bill 🙌

[@Nory_here]

You could have a little generic contract just to rest safe. Email it while driving, your custumer replies it and you both done. But I got what you said there. Great work

[@vpimaging]

I agree with you 100% on all 3 points. Been doing this a couple of years, and only wrote up one contract, but it was a lot of travel, 3 day shoot, etc… that I felt terms had to be agreed on.

[@AlexSerrao]

See that’s where I think it makes total sense to do a contract! If I was traveling and had a major shoot like that I would as well

[@TheDusto23]

Do you license your photos or just provide edited photos without any licensing terms on the invoice?

[@AlexSerrao]

I don’t do any licensing terms for normal shoots. If it’s something bigger or more commercial I would though

[@TheDusto23]

@@AlexSerrao thanks for the response. I just found your channel a few days ago, really good info.

[@joypruitt7534]

Good question TheDusto23, I agree on all of Alex's points yet I witnessed another real estate photography company who had their images sold by the realtor to a national magazine and printed. The photographers did not get any recompense or credit. Alex what do you think about that?

[@FlyinRyanProductions406]

@@joypruitt7534 I too am curious of this. I add copy write info in my meta data on all my images including RAW images. Would the RAW filesnot be proof of ownership? Is just the fact of getting paid for jpgs forfeiting ownership? Just curious to you’re opinion. I have been doing RE photos for going on 2 years and never had contracts and you raise a very good point.

[@werito82]

Great video, I agree 100%… I don’t do contracts at all, agents have no time for that.

[@davidfryman1028]

I completely agree with all three points!

[@MrShihTzuchoco]

Do you still don’t use contracts? 2023

[@AlexSerrao]

I don't. I may start soon but it's not high priority for me

[@PhotographyPX]

Fair enough. Good points here Alex. Thanks!

[@jamilgotcher5456]

How about just put a new date in the title of the contract for every new year, like 2022 Contract and mention these prices are only good for 2022.

[@iglass_photo]

Great points! How do you process each photo shoot if no contracts are signed? Do you include it in the small writing at the time of booking like “Once you book with me, you agree to the terms and conditions” or nothing at all?

[@AlexSerrao]

Nothing at all. Send photos and invoice and call it a day 👍

[@iglass_photo]

@@AlexSerrao What service do you use for both photos and invoice delivery?

[@xxYFKxx]

Man I’m so glad that I found your channel because I’m about to enter the real estate photography business.

[@Nickoli6447]

How do you determine the pricing for each house you take photos of?

[@AlexSerrao]

We do it by photo quantity

[@capturenw]

Agreed