Do you want to learn how to make money with real estate photography? We’ve got all the answers about what it takes to do professional real estate photography.

So you’re considering a career in real estate photography.

Whether you’re already a working photographer looking to dive into a new niche or you’re brand new to the world of photography, this guide is for you.

You likely have some burning questions you want to be answered before you take the plunge, like how much do real estate photographers make a year, is real estate photography profitable, and how do you figure out your photography pricing? Should you get into real estate drone photography? And what’s the best lens for real estate photography?

Lucky for you, we have everything you need to know on how to start a real estate photography business right here. Let’s get started!

What Does Real Estate Photography Involve?

Realtor photography involves more than you might think.

You can venture into the world of house photography or commercial real estate property. When you’re contemplating how to start a real estate photography business, you have to be prepared to wear many hats.

In addition to taking photos, real estate photographers should be prepared to spend additional time and resources on things like house staging, photo editing, marketing, sales, and admin work.

If you’re used to taking your time when editing images, then you won’t have that luxury when shooting real estate properties.

Realtors usually need a quick turnaround time on the real estate photos, with deadlines of 24 to 48 hours being most common. The main way to work in the real estate photography business is by working alongside real estate agents, photographing homes or commercial real estate for online listings.

However, you may want to consider dipping your toes into real estate stock photos as well.

By making your real estate stock photos available online through resources like Shutterstock, you can add an additional income source that is entirely passive, meaning less work for you in the long run.

How Do Real Estate Photographers Price Their Work?

When setting your real estate photography pricing, make sure to consider the work you’ll put in outside of the real estate photography itself, like preparation, travel, and associated fees, and the amount of time it will take you to edit the photos. Of course, suppose you don’t already have all the necessary equipment for real estate photography. In that case, you’ll also need to factor in those expenses (like, say, if your camera doesn’t have the best lens for real estate photography).

Don’t underestimate the amount of time a particular job might take you, either—for more advanced real estate photography. You may be asked to make significant edits that can eat into your time and your profits. You should also consider setting a higher rate for super-fast turnaround times.

At this point, you might think, “is real estate photography a good business?”

The answer will depend on a number of factors, including your working style. You have to be willing to put yourself out there to find new business opportunities and be flexible on your turnaround times.

Real estate photography rates will also vary depending on where you live—unfortunately, a small-town real estate photographer just won’t be able to charge as much as someone doing real estate photography in a big city.

However, always make sure you’re valuing your work by paying yourself a fair wage, regardless of where you’re located, your skills, and the equipment you’re using.

What Kind of Real Estate Photography Pricing Guidelines Should I Follow?

If you’re new to photography, start by researching the basics of pricing your photography.

You can also ask your local photography community (MeetUp, Facebook Groups, etc.,) to ask how much does a real estate photographer earns specific to your area. This can give you a good starting point and give you an idea that real estate photography can be lucrative.

As professional photographers, you have to consider the expenses you have that allow you to edit photos and account for your costs. This may include your camera equipment, insurance for your camera equipment, editing software, your experience, your transportation, and marketing.

Like any creative business, real estate photography rates will differ based on location and experience, but here are some basic tips you can follow.