Why You Need a “Real Estate” Photographer to Shoot Your Listing

It's widely known that most professional photographers will take on nearly any type of job to sustain their business. Many skills required in one photography niche are transferable to others—aperture, shutter speed, and ISO function similarly in all scenarios. Nonetheless, it's undeniable that the more one hones a particular skill, the more proficient they become.

Portrait and wedding photographers excel at posing individuals. They grasp how light should illuminate a face and how to capture interactions between people. With a few years of experience, they should consistently produce quality work. However, when they shift from their specialized field to another photography niche, how well do they perform? This is the core issue when generalist photographers venture into real estate photography. Does a wedding photographer's work in real estate measure up to that of a real estate photography specialist?

I was recently asked to re-shoot a listing initially photographed by a wedding photographer. The Realtor was dissatisfied with the results and provided samples that clearly illustrated the reasons. Upon visiting the photographer's website, I found that he specialized in wedding and portrait photography. Although he listed real estate as a service offered, he did not display any related work on his site. His wedding photography was professional, but in the real estate domain, he fell short—significantly!

The takeaway—review their work! If their real estate photography isn't showcased on their website, request a link to a recent property to evaluate their skill level. TIP: Inquire about additional real estate marketing services they provide, such as video walk-throughs, 3D Tours, floor plans, etc. Offering a range of services indicates a dedication to the real estate field and likely a higher level of expertise.

Here are four compelling reasons to hire a real estate photographer:

1. Real estate photographers understand the best angles, lighting, time of day, and key elements to highlight.

2. Quality real estate photos are crafted to attract potential buyers and are optimized to maximize interest.

3. High-quality photos capture a buyer's attention and have been shown to enhance a property's perceived value, resulting in quicker sales.

4. Properties using a professional real estate photographer typically sell significantly above market value and sell 50% faster than those with lower-quality images.

Do yourself a favor and hire a professional real estate photographer, or you might end up photographing the listing twice. Ouch!