A home’s photography is perhaps the second most important element to getting a home sold (after price).

A real estate listing’s pictures on Zillow are a buyer’s first impression of a home. Buyers look at an average of 10 homes before deciding on one. High-quality photography can be the difference between your listing making the list versus not.

There is no excuse to screw it up. There are too many companies and tools standing at the ready to make sure your listings stand out online.

Like the rest of the industry, technology is changing photography and videography. Adding these tools to your business is becoming cheaper. Drone videos and 3D tours have actually gotten cheaper over the last few years as they become more abundant.

Below are some of the best real estate photography companies to either help you improve your own photography, or even just do it all for you.

The Contenders

BEST MARKET COVERAGE

BEST VIRTUAL STAGING

OTHERS

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Not Included Here

Other real estate virtual photography companies include:

• PhotoUp
• PlanOmatic
• Styldod
• TruPlace
• VHT Studios
• VS24

I also haven’t included 3D and 360 cameras for creating listing walkthroughs, a virtual tour, or floorplans like:

• Matterport
• Planitar (iGuide)
• Immoviewer
• Cupix

There are also some locally based companies that specialize in real estate but are not nationwide like Twist Tours in Austin, TX.

There are other places to find photographers like Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork.

Are Aerial Videos, 3D Tours, and 360 Videos Worth It?

3D tours and aerial photography have gotten cheaper recently, making them a more realistic option even for the most modest of listings.

A significant percentage of buyers purchase homes sight unseen, especially in some communities like military buyers PCSing from overseas. 3D tours and 360 videos can make buyers more comfortable with making offers and the home you are offering.

Meanwhile, aerial might be optional in many circumstances, but on bigger lots or farm and ranch listings it seems almost obligatory at this point.

Lastly, these are relatively inexpensive add-ons that allow you to separate your brand. Remember, your listings aren’t only advertising your listing but advertising you.

DIY or Hire the Pros?

Considering how important listing photography is, beware of forgoing a professional photographer. There are so many elements and tools to taking a good photo, like natural light, wide angle lens, shutter speed, exposure, and more. If you are not a photography or video aficionado, don’t try to do it yourself. Hire it out.

Even if you do enjoy photography or know what you’re doing, are you a Realtor or a photographer? Focus on your core competencies and building business, and let another professional handle the photos and video.

Finally, in the age of aerial, it is almost surely best to hire out your drone footage. With FAA licensing rules, there are generally too many moving parts to justify diverting your time from your core business.

If you do go solo, consider getting professional editing with someone like BoxBrownie. They have a phone app for iPhones that allow you to send photos directly to their editors and getting them professionally touched up.

For Real Estate Photographers

There are numerous advantages to starting a real estate photography business. No Bridezillas. No wrestling babies. Just a stationary building to photograph.

However, one of the biggest differences from other photography fields is the turnaround. A 4-week turnaround for a wedding video is fine. But for real estate agents, the photos are the only thing between them and getting the home listed. It’s the last thing before a sign goes in the yard. Everybody is waiting on you, and a 24-hour turnaround is essential if you are going to get into real estate photography.

Real estate photography can be expensive. If you are wanting to provide the full suite of services for a real estate agent, you will want to invest in a 3D camera (like the Matterport), a drone, a good gimbal, and some real estate photo editing training.

To get started, check with the companies above for work, or advertise yourself on Fiverr, Upwork, and other freelance sites. Or start browsing homes on Zillow and start identifying agents who perhaps could use some better photography services. Some may prefer working directly with photographers local to their area.

Conclusion

After picking the right price, professional photos are the second most important part of getting a home sold. Do it right if you want to stay in business. Put the effort in if you enjoy DIY, or just hire it out and make it simple.

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