DIY or Hire a Professional Real Estate Photographer?

A recent research study found that the national average price tag for a two-hour real estate photo shoot was $440. If you or your agency is on a tight budget, are you considering taking photos of your properties? Without a doubt, $440 a pop adds up quickly over time. If you want to take property photos yourself, or are contemplating hiring a photographer, then let’s explore both of those scenarios. 

DIY Photography: Pros and Cons

Given smartphones and their high-resolution cameras, why not snap the pics yourself? It’s a quick and cheap solution to getting shots of the property, and you don’t have to deal with any scheduling headaches.

Let’s tally up both the pros and the cons. 

Pros

1. Cost-effective: DIY photography eliminates the need to hire a professional, saving you money on photography fees.

2. Convenience: With your smartphone, you can take photos of your property at any time without scheduling appointments.

3. Control: You have complete control over the composition, angles, and lighting of the photos.

Cons

1. Quality: Despite advancements in smartphone camera technology, DIY photos may lack the professional quality needed to showcase your property effectively. 

2. Lack of Expertise: Professional photographers have the skills and experience to capture the best features of your property and create visually appealing images. We’ve all seen real estate photos online that are poorly lit or poorly framed. 

3. Time-Consuming: Achieving professional-looking results with DIY photography often requires significant time and effort in editing and post-processing.

Hiring a Professional Real Estate Photographer: Advantages and Considerations

Let’s take a look at enlisting some advantages and considerations when employing the services of a professional real estate photographer.

Advantages

1. Professional Quality: Professional photographers use high-end equipment to produce stunning images that highlight your property’s best attributes. The fact is that high-end cameras simply do a remarkable job. 

2. Expertise: With their knowledge of lighting, composition, and staging, professional photographers know how to make your property look its best. With repetition often comes additional expertise.

3. Time-Saving: By outsourcing photography to a professional, you can save time and focus on other aspects of marketing your property. 

Considerations

1. Cost: Hiring a professional photographer involves some expense, but the return on investment can be significant in terms of sales and higher selling prices.

2. Scheduling: Professional photographers may have busy schedules, so it’s essential to book their services as far in advance as possible in order to get timely photography sessions.

3. Communication: Clearly communicate your expectations and preferences to the photographer to make sure they capture the charm and salability of your property. Here are some more tips if you go this route.

Whether you hire a professional real estate photographer or do it yourself, you need to weigh the options. Do you feel confident in your ability to shoot quality photos? Do you have time to do it? What are your agency’s priorities? Investing in professional photography services is often a wise choice if it fits within your budget. If you need professional real estate photography services, please reach out to us today.