One of the most important tasks a realtor or home seller has to do is choose a good photographer that can showcase a house (Shocking Stats About the Importance o...). Many may ask what they should look for in a real estate photographer. Here are four tips to help you decide.
1. Check and research the photographer online. Do they have a portfolio of previous work? A good photographer will share a little about themselves and provide viewers with a taste of their work. This will provide you with an opportunity to decide if the style is what you are expecting.
Do you have a style of photography you prefer? Check the photographer's portfolio/gallery.
2. Check for a contact number. Can the photographer be contacted personally? Are they tied to a company they work for or are they flexible in talking with you about your needs? Some photographers may work under a franchise or partner with a company that provides the tools they need. This could limit the photographer to using specific tools or pricing as well as using an answering service to take calls. Although the products they use may present wonderful pictures, there may be other options you want that will not be available. Flexibility and communication with clients are two important aspects to building a personal relationship. This ensures a quality service that realtors and home sellers can be comfortable in relying on for their needs.
Can the photographer be contacted personally? Are they flexible in talking to you about your needs?
3. Check for a price sheet. Does the photographer provide a price sheet online? Is the pricing extremely high or is it very low? A good real estate photographer will provide a comparable pricing list that is reasonable to your budget. They offer straightforward pricing for a set number of pictures that can offer a basic slideshow or individual photos, depending on your preference. Any additional fees will be listed, such as virtual tours and links, aerials,
or even twilight shots. No surprises, unless you have discussed a different or specific need with the photographer. There are always special circumstances that can come up, but a good photographer can address the need and provide a solution. Many photographers may charge additional fees for weekends, distance, and last minute booking. However, if you have formed a personal relationship with your photographer, these fees can be alleviated. Unfortunately, there are those photographers that will not sway from their fees and do not
look to form relationships. Business is business. They do not take on a concern in helping you sell the house, instead, they work to create their "art" of photography and that is it. So, when you are searching for a good photographer, keep these considerations in mind. Sometimes a photographer may be a few dollars more in one area, but they provide a service that is worth the extra dollars. Real estate photographers work a few hours taking pictures (with lots of equipment Real Estate Photography Accessories (...), and then another couple of hours editing for quality views. This is why the turnaround time can range from 24 hours to 48 hours, depending on the size of the job. All of this adds up. It takes time and expensive equipment/software to produce the professional pictures realtors expect and buyers rely on. Make sure you keep your photographer paid up and compensated, in order to have them available when you need them.
Does the photographer provide a price sheet online?
4. Check the photographer's specialty. Is the photographer's specialty in real estate and architectural photography, or in other areas? Just because a photographer has experience in taking quality pictures does not mean they know how to shoot real estate. Taking family, child, or special events photos is very different than taking real estate. Make sure the photographer has the experience and skill with shooting residential photos. Check out their information and offered services. If a photographer offers family, child, special events, and then lists real estate, consider the portfolio. Do you see pictures of creative layouts of furniture and interior design, or do you see the actual rooms with furniture in it? A buyer wants to see the house and how the furniture fits for visualization; not just a piece of furniture with a creative twist, such as a "colorful bed". Be careful not to miss the purpose of providing photos because you are being impressed with the removable shelf of colorful vases and flowers, while neglecting to see the room and location of the shelf. A good photographer will use the shelf for color, but showcase the room so the buyer can see how placing specific furniture there can enhance the look.
Choose a photographer that has real estate experience and not just interior design experience. A plus is a photographer that offers real estate photography in residential, commercial, and/or aerial and acreage. This ensures they are experienced in small homes as well as larger homes and buildings. In fact, a photographer with experience in house plans or architectural design is most likely more aware of shoots with angles, layouts, side shots, aerial shots, and other uncommon views. They are better equipped with providing the right photos to catch a buyer's eye, and they are more purpose driven to shoot for the sale of the house and not just focus on their "artful" techniques. Remember, buyers want to see the house.
Choose a photographer that has real estate experience and not just interior design experience.
All in all, choosing a real estate photographer is vital to bringing in potential buyers. Choose one that is personable to you and the home owner. You want professionalism, yet a flexible and accommodating photographer. The following list provides a bullet recap.
1. Check for online portfolio/gallery of previous work
2. Check for a direct contact of the photographer and their flexibility
3. Check for a price list (if not available, there may be hidden fees)
4. Check the photographer's specialty (is it real estate or something else)
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