Thinking about getting into real-estate photography

[alfa147x]

How would you guys go about it?

I'm thinking about charging $2.50 - $3.50 a picture + millage with a minimum of 10 pictures.

I know that's really cheap but that's what I'm going for. If I get 3 - 4 houses a month that will be about $100 on the side. I ran into this realtor the other day and I'm thinking about offering her free pictures of a house if I can use it in a portfolio to show other potential clients.


Things I need:
Contract

Any place you guys see a problem?

Thanks,
Alfa

 

[fralexandr]

equipment wise,
Canon 30D, 20D, 24-105mm f/4L , 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L ISL , 50mm f/1.8 II
you might want to look into getting a wide angle lens (<=14mm)
also you might want to get a sturdy tripod (for lower light areas)
although you seem to have some flashes so you might not think a tripod is necessary

i dunno anything about the contract side though

 

[alfa147x]

equipment wise,
Canon 30D, 20D, 24-105mm f/4L , 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L ISL , 50mm f/1.8 II
you might want to look into getting a wide angle lens (<=14mm)
also you might want to get a sturdy tripod (for lower light areas)
although you seem to have some flashes so you might not think a tripod is necessary

i dunno anything about the contract side though

Thanks I also have the 18 - 55 kit lens. I have a nice tripod can't remember the model number.

Any ideas on how to get customers? Any flaws with my pricing?

 

[arrfep]

Seems pretty low, man. Like WAY too low. I know everyone says that about everyone's pricing when they first get into the industry...but I think you'd tire pretty quickly of working hard for $50 at a time.

I do gigs for a DJ every once-in-a-while....when I started it sounded awesome getting $250 for three hours work. Now I avoid these jobs. Don't forget the time you'll waste charging/packing/dumping/editing...it adds up.

Page FBB for more info. He does this (IIRC) full-time.

 

[Damascus]

equipment wise,
Canon 30D, 20D, 24-105mm f/4L , 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L ISL , 50mm f/1.8 II
you might want to look into getting a wide angle lens (<=14mm)
also you might want to get a sturdy tripod (for lower light areas)
although you seem to have some flashes so you might not think a tripod is necessary

i dunno anything about the contract side though

I can't think of too many times one would ever need a super telephoto lens for real estate.

Gear wise, I'd say forget the standard zooms. Get one of the ultra-wide zooms (e.g. 8-16, 10-x, 11-16) because 18mm on a crop body just won't get the job done. Stitching just isn't an option if you value your time. Tripod definitely. Flash maybe.

Did this once for a friend and all I can say is don't expect to get rich off this. It's like the wedding field, easy to get into so there are hordes of people doing it but you need to be really good to get any decent coin. Technique is everything.

For a part time weekend thing I certainly wouldn't even expect it to cover the cost of the toys.

 

[sdubose99]

http://photographyforrealestate.net...150-per-real-estate-shoot-you-have-a-problem/

 

[ronbo613]

I worked for a company that did real estate brochures and one that did MLS listings.
Unless you are shooting multimillion dollar properties, it's probably not going to be worth it. Real estate agents pay for photos and brochures out of their own pocket, they are more likely to take the photos themselves than pay somebody. Not as much money in real estate as there used to be.
As far as gear, you need a good tripod for sure, a couple wide and ultra wide lenses(perspective corrected if possible) and a "normal" lens. No telephoto needed. For quality interior shots, you will need a strobe setup for balanced lighting.

 

[LanceUEP]

http://photographyforrealestate.net...150-per-real-estate-shoot-you-have-a-problem/

As the link mentions, you'll find you are charging a very low rate. It's not only bad for you (you are barely paying for your gas!) but it is bad for the other real estate photographers trying to make a living in your area. Do some research in the area for established real estate photographers and figure out a way to can offer a deal to agents that will market your services at a lower perceived rate. (Maybe the first shoot you do for them is 50% off, for instance, to get them in the door)

 

[alfa147x]

I like my pricing scheme a lot. Too bad I'm going in an other direction photography wise


Thanks though