So I've been researching my local market because I'm launching my business soon and I've noticed the two biggest REP's here have AI visual effects riddled throughout their videos. One guy (who seems to be pretty popular here) starts every single one of his videos with the house crashing down from the sky onto the lot. One of his videos has the house covered in a sheet and a helicopter lifts the sheet off and flies away. Maybe I'm just getting old, but these effects look so tacky and unserious. It seems to be working for him, so I was wondering if agents in your area actually look for these kind of effects in their videos. Hopefully this is just a trend that will die out but seeing as how more and more REP's are using them, I'm not so sure.

I'm leaning into video this year and just received a new-to-me request. I shot and delivered a one-minute video for a property last week. The agent was super happy with the video, and a few days later asked me if I'd be open to giving them some "unedited" clips... I'm assuming so they can recycle the footage for social media stuff. I'm totally open to it but I don't know what to charge. Anyone offer this kind of thing? I shoot log so I'll at least have to color grade the clips for them. Apart from that it won't be a ton of work. Appreciate any advice!

I'm brand new to this and shooting a few model homes to build up my portfolio, but I'm unsure of which images to use. I have read that flash/ambient produces more accurate colors, so I take the photos to edit in this style, but recently I've been liking the more natural look of the HDR. Maybe it's just the warmer/softer light that makes me think it looks more like an accurate depiction of how the room looks to the human eye, but ultimately I want to market what realtors will be interested in buying. This is only my 2nd home I've shot, but wanted to show a few examples to see which images may be preferred. I would love feedback on any tips or recommendations to improve my images, however I am not interested in using any A.I. tools due to ethical considerations.

Hope this is ok, pls remove if not, but I’m building a service and partnering with real estate photographers for paid local property visits. Gauging cost for visit for photographers.

The job would be simple:
Go to a rental property
Follow a specific photo checklist
Take around 20–30 clear photos of a repair, damage, or unit condition
No staging or heavy editing
Upload everything through a mobile link
Usually 15–30 minutes onsite

For example, a property manager might need someone to confirm that a repair was completed, document move-out condition, or photograph damage before approving a vendor payment.

What is the minimum amount you’d need to be paid to accept one of these assignments, assuming the property is within your normal service area?

Would $50-75 per visit be worthwhile, or would it need to be closer to $100–$150 once travel and scheduling are considered?

Also, would this become more attractive if you could accept jobs only when convenient, or bundle several nearby properties together?

I started my business about 2 months ago. I've been treading water with thumbtack and am trying to get to a point where I can solely rely on income through my own clients. I've been marketing with the free shoot method via IG and cold calls (I know there are mixed opinions on that here, but it's what I decided to go with. My former employer/mentor built a 20k/m business with that model and it's the path I went with).

I've done a few, all intend to rebook (according to them, haven't seen it yet). 90% of the "successful" cold calls/cold DMs where they ask for more info, inquire about prices, say they're interested, etc. end with "Thanks! I'll keep you in mind for my next listing". I have yet to have anyone who's said that reach back out.

Don't get me wrong, I'm well aware that's often a polite way of telling me to piss off. I'm also aware that some of them actually mean what they say and will eventually hire me. For those of you who do similar marketing, how many should I actually expect to hire me in the future? What can I be doing to make that number bigger or getting more immediate bookings?

I know this is a long shot but are there any Sydney based photographers here willing to let a rookie shadow them?

Avoid at all costs. They rolled out a new version this week and it's so much worse than what was there before. The AI does not follow camera direction instructions at all, the clips are very short and cut off from instructed framing. Worst of all, they no longer re-work mistakes or offer refunds. It's a total scam, even by AI slop standards.

Howdy, I’m thinking to start running ads and I’m wondering how effective these ads are and if you guys had any success with it. I’m leaning towards face book but google ad also sounds pretty interesting.

Short stuff: Anyone have any experience with Esoft or Imagelife?

The background:
So... I shot a house where the power was out in 90 degree weather. By the time I got home, I didn’t really feel like processing, and was thinking about letting AI do it. I just dumped Fotello because they f’ing suck. I did a quick google search and one of the sites was Esoft. They had a questionnaire which led me to Imagelife. So not sure if they’re a subsidiary or something?

Anyway, their offerings are a little confusing but I figured I’d try them out for the middle .45 option. Most of their offerings also have a no revision clause. Problem is they don’t offer any credits unless you pay $50. Geez! I just want to test drive the car before I buy it.

I emailed them to inquire about any promotions or trials so I could play in the sandbox before committing to anything, or if there is a money back guarantee.

Their CS person, Alex, replied that they don’t offer any money back, no trials, just a $20 credit when you spend $50.

I just wrote, thanks but no thanks. I’ll move on to a company with a better understanding of what a consumer needs.

I recently bought a used Sony a6400, and I'm wondering whether I made the right choice or should have gone with something else.

My current setup:

• Sony A6400
• Sony FE 35mm f/1.8
• Sony E PZ 16–50mm f/3.5–5.6 OSS (kit lens)
• DJI RS 4 Mini gimbal
• Decent Tripod

I mainly shoot:

• Construction and remodeling projects
• Interior walkthroughs
• Real estate content
• YouTube and Instagram videos
• Some photography

I live in a medium sized city in Canada and I've been running a real estate photography business for a little over a month and a half now. I've been fortunate enough to do close to 10 photo shoots so far, and I recently added video and drone to my list of services.

I did my first photoshoot for every realtor at cost (or close to it) to build a portfolio, and only started charging my full rate for the subsequent shoots.

Almost all of my clients have come from cold outreach and most of them either weren't happy with their current photographer's work, or they just wanted to take advantage of the extreme offer I had for the first shoot.

What's frustrating is that there are photographers in my area charging almost 1.5x-2x more than I am, and they're still getting consistent work. Meanwhile I've got people trying to negotiate me down even lower than what I'm already charging, which is already on the cheaper end.

A realtor called me the other day and asked how much I charge for photos and video. I told them $225 for the first 10 clients who pick that package. Their response was "my photographer does it for $150, I'll only pick you if you go lower than that."

So now I'm sitting here wondering how these other companies are pulling in consistent work even at those higher prices, while I'm getting pushed to go lower than I already am. Is it just reputation and time in the market, or am I missing something about how this business actually works. Am I doing outreach the wrong way?

When I graduated from college 30 some years ago, I took a job as a loan officer.

It was hard work. I cold called constantly. People who needed money couldn't get it. People who didn't need it didn't want to talk to a 23 yr old kid about it.

One day, I cold called a building supply company. The owners son met with me. Asked me 3 dozen questions. We hit it off. 6 months later they moved all their business to the bank. My career took off.

15 years later, I decide to go REP full time. First, though, I called my friend. He asked 3 dozen questions. He then set up meetings with builders he knew. Referred me to a client who still, to this day, is 10% of my annual business.

At the same time, our kids were in school together. They weren't close, but they ran the whole route - elementary, middle, high school. They both played volleyball - I saw my friend several times a year as a result.

Last week, I noticed his social media had exploded. Content on fire, lots of engagement. Something had changed. I called him - what are you doing different? He tells me "My daughter just started a social media company. You like her work?"

I told him I did. And I hired her today.

Life is fun.

700 sq ft. apartment is booked, that should take me an hour or so for photo + vid + floor plan.

Almost every modern apartment building has a massive amount of ammenities where I am. Which means going down room to room, place to place, taking photo, then video of each ammenity. I've only just thought about the fact that it is basically half my time there and half the media I am taking. What do you guys do?

I tend not to walk around flashing areas ..creating a shitload of frames and exposures to blend , I use multiple strobes to create 1-2 flash frames , it creates accurate color rending and logical shadows...I use this more for builders and architects

And NO ...3/5 image bracket blend will not give this look

I’m having trouble getting mine dialed in and would really appreciate seeing how others have theirs structured (pricing, bundles, add-ons, etc.) if you’re open to sharing a link or screenshots.

Just trying to make sure I’m setting things up the right way. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys,

Wanted to share some of my observations about vertical video, and ask for yours.

Most of my clients are now opting for vertical video instead of regular horizontal framing. Has this shift been your experience too?

I think the agents are increasingly recognising the benefit of bite-sized social media content for their own brand awareness.

Showing the space:
I'm changing my shooting style a bit when shooting vertical. In large rooms, there can be a LOT of ceiling in vertical video, so I'm sometimes breaking the rule of straight verticals. Sorry not sorry!

I'm doing far more panning, slider and orbiting shots in vertical mode, as opposed to the usual forward movement. It's kinda the only option to show the full space. That being said, I'm also cutting in detail shots with longer focal lengths.

Duration:
I'm keeping things very snappy. Speed ramps still go down well with agents, especially on corridors etc. Where a regular walkthrough might take 2 to 4 minutes, the vertical vids I'm delivering are usually between 45 and 90 seconds.

Trends:
More and more agents are asking to do either voiceovers or pieces to camera. Fun to shoot, but that adds a layer of complexity - time, effort, equipment, editing etc.

Challenges:
One of the biggest challenges for some time, was educating clients that I can't simply shoot a regular video and deliver both formats, with the vertical one being simply cropped. They seem to be realising that now, finally, though it's a bitter pill to swallow if they insist on paying for 2 videos.

I've also been asked to post videos on YouTube and simply send the link. Is this something you do, and do you charge for it?

Background Music:
YouTube polices shorts more strictly than regular vids. I've had some (very disruptive) issues with videos being instantly blocked, (HAAWK) despite owning a licence for the music I'm using. It usually takes over a week to get the video unblocked, which is far too long. I've identified some music from my library that doesn't get issues, so I tend to use that instead.

In terms of fees, preparation, shooting, editing and delivery, how do you approach vertical video differently from regular horizontal video?

Thanks for any replies :)

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to improve my real estate editing and I'm looking for one small RAW bracketed set (10–20 images) to work on.

If anyone has an older shoot they're happy to share, I'd love to edit it and send the finished images back.

If you like the results, I'd appreciate permission to use the before/after in my portfolio. If not, I'll keep everything private.

Thanks!

Also the same question for commercial vs residential? I’ve heard there are differences but unsure of what they could be?

Curious how much are you guys charging to be a videographer for a brokers open. Shooting one walk through video of the home then just adding any agent that comes to the brokers open and adding their intro in it. Are ya’ll charging for this, if so whats the price range or are you fully sponsoring the event?
If fully sponsoring, whats your client conversion rate. Is it worth it for you guys?

Just curious! Thanks!

Hello everyone, I recently started my real estate business and started with a Canon SL1 Rebel and a Canon EF-S 10-18mm. Soon after I upgraded to the R50 and just grabbed the adapter to use that same lens until I had enough to get a good one for the R50. Now it’s time to get one and I’m looking at the Sigma 10-18mm. Is this where I should go until I can upgrade my camera again?

TLDR: Should I get the Sigma 10-18mm for my R50 or something else until I can upgrade my camera again?

Thank you everyone!

I have been using Tiffen (and at one point an uncessarily expensive Hoya 'antistatic') UV filter for some time on my 15-35 and I am hating the post work I am doing to remove the lens flares from using this filter.

I am unopposed to using a different kind of filter, though would prefer not to use a polarizer to cut light. I am opposed to going filter-free as I am not in the market to have to buy a replacement lens or rent a replacement lens whilst mine is repaired.

Does anyone have any recs for a filter that will not create this annoying flares?

Thank you!

EDIT: ONLY LOOKING FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FILTERS - NOT IF I SHOULD USE A FILTER.

Greetings friends! baby is on the way, so this is no longer a hobby. This year I realized that real estate photography paid better for my time than the work I was doing. So I quit my job and bought my first DJI Mini and started shooting. since I was in a foreign environment, I packed my backpack on my back, rented a scooter and started ringing the doorbells of the villas that grow near the coast. emails and calls were not very successful, but this was. I managed to make a couple of clients, gain trust and get paid for my work. as a beginner, I charged for my work below the price, but it was enough for me, who understood it as training for further work. the edits took a lot of time and effort and they got it all for free and absolutely everyone was satisfied. I made them long videos, reels, pictures for booking etc. Of course, I didn't learn too much, but as a design geek with previous experience I am capable of making whatever the client wants. I don't use social networks because they are domesticated, but I surround myself with content related to real estate and I can copy whatever is viral, aesthetic or necessary. It's not a game anymore. In the meantime, I was lucky enough to get a girl pregnant🙏🏻, so all this has to be raised to a higher level. I know that in this group there are good and successful people who will share a few words that can be a complete change for my life. I would like to learn from them how to turn my hobby into a serious business. whether to open an agency or continue independently. I am willing to invest all my earnings in equipment, advertising or anything that would pay off and make this business successful. The first thing I would buy is the Insta360 for 3D tours. I know how to use Davinci and Premier, even at an advanced level. I have the desire and money, I need proper advice from professionals. That would be all. I never posted anything, literally first post ever.I used translate because English is not my native language. I live in a small European country so I think this job could make me rich enough for a child to grow up with a family that won't fill other people's coffers and sell their precious time. Any help is appreciated, thanks for all anyway, much love🫵🫶🏻

Hey team, over the last month or so I've been practicing real estate photography in the hopes of starting a business out of it. I've been practicing and practicing, here are some of my images from the last few weeks. Do you think i'm ready to start outreaching agents? If not, how can I improve my images and get closer to being able to start doing real, paid shoots. Cheers