Comments on: What Should I Charge For A Shoot? http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/ Helping Real Estate Photographers Be Successful Fri, 25 May 2012 18:09:23 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Donna http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-45019 Donna Mon, 03 Oct 2011 04:45:41 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-45019 Hi all. I am looking at doing some re pics and of course have never done them before so HELLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP..LOL i have a D90 a tripod...thats about it! what would you suggest and obviously .. I hate using this word...cheapest way to start out...equipment wise anyway. any help would be greatly appreciated Hi all. I am looking at doing some re pics and of course have never done them before so HELLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP..LOL
i have a D90 a tripod…thats about it! what would you suggest and obviously .. I hate using this word…cheapest way to start out…equipment wise anyway.

any help would be greatly appreciated

]]> By: Adam Milton http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-34357 Adam Milton Sun, 27 Mar 2011 21:05:46 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-34357 This is a great post, all of this information is great. Those who have not seen NPPA's cost of doing business calculator should really take a look at it. It helps highlight the little costs that you might want to overlook to stretch your budget. http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/cdbcalc.cfm Donna, do you have a good portfolio already? I would suggest finding nice homes to take pictures of rather than offering your services for free. It will put you in a stronger position when it comes down to negotiating price, and you will be more hire-able if you can show that you can produce consistent results. Good luck! This is a great post, all of this information is great.

Those who have not seen NPPA’s cost of doing business calculator should really take a look at it. It helps highlight the little costs that you might want to overlook to stretch your budget. http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/cdbcalc.cfm

Donna, do you have a good portfolio already? I would suggest finding nice homes to take pictures of rather than offering your services for free. It will put you in a stronger position when it comes down to negotiating price, and you will be more hire-able if you can show that you can produce consistent results. Good luck!

]]> By: Donna http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-34016 Donna Mon, 14 Mar 2011 23:35:02 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-34016 I also want to get started in the RE photography business. I hope we don't all live in the same town! I've done weddings, senior portraits, events, etc., etc. and I am sooo ready to specialize in shooting something that doesn't breathe. With a D80, Nikon 18-105, SB-60O, manfrotto tripod, Photoshop CS4 and Photomatix I'm going for it. I can upgrade my lens later. I think the hardest part is to sell the idea (besides mastering the real estate technique, which has taken lots of practice and I'm still learning). Great suggestions for teaming up with stagers and doing the first shoot for free. Although I made the offer to a stager at a home show recently, thought we had a connection, and she doesn't reply to emails. I recently spoke to a few realtors who think they are photographers, and unless you can show them your shots right next to theirs, they are not going to see the difference. They think don't need a professional photograher. So it's going to be a tough sell, but with sites like this one, we can make it happen. Thanks for all the great tips. Keep them coming! I also want to get started in the RE photography business. I hope we don’t all live in the same town! I’ve done weddings, senior portraits, events, etc., etc. and I am sooo ready to specialize in shooting something that doesn’t breathe. With a D80, Nikon 18-105, SB-60O, manfrotto tripod, Photoshop CS4 and Photomatix I’m going for it. I can upgrade my lens later. I think the hardest part is to sell the idea (besides mastering the real estate technique, which has taken lots of practice and I’m still learning). Great suggestions for teaming up with stagers and doing the first shoot for free. Although I made the offer to a stager at a home show recently, thought we had a connection, and she doesn’t reply to emails. I recently spoke to a few realtors who think they are photographers, and unless you can show them your shots right next to theirs, they are not going to see the difference. They think don’t need a professional photograher. So it’s going to be a tough sell, but with sites like this one, we can make it happen. Thanks for all the great tips. Keep them coming!

]]> By: Toni http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-31387 Toni Fri, 07 Jan 2011 18:02:04 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-31387 Larry thanks for the post above. I agree that should stand behind your business and stop undercutting your peers. We are always going to be faced with competition from new people entering the market, charging less and producing a product with less quality. We need to educate the client about the importance of hiring a season professional that can get the job right the first time. Larry thanks for the post above. I agree that should stand behind your business and stop undercutting your peers. We are always going to be faced with competition from new people entering the market, charging less and producing a product with less quality. We need to educate the client about the importance of hiring a season professional that can get the job right the first time.

]]> By: jennifer http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-31270 jennifer Wed, 05 Jan 2011 00:15:32 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-31270 I want to start a real estate photography business in Lake Stevens WA. Someone tell me how to get started. do i have to have a license, or be bonded and insured? what are the secrets or tips you wish someone would have told you when you first started? ( I want to work part time and continue to be a stay at home mom.) I want to start a real estate photography business in Lake Stevens WA. Someone tell me how to get started. do i have to have a license, or be bonded and insured? what are the secrets or tips you wish someone would have told you when you first started?

( I want to work part time and continue to be a stay at home mom.)

]]> By: Raj http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-31029 Raj Thu, 30 Dec 2010 05:58:48 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-31029 Hi Robert, I like to get started in RE photography as a part time to start with. Right now, I am playing with Lightroom ver 3.3 on my own. I am pretty much searching in the internet. If you can mentor and guide me, I would appreciate it. Hi Robert, I like to get started in RE photography as a part time to start with. Right now, I am playing with Lightroom ver 3.3 on my own.
I am pretty much searching in the internet. If you can mentor and guide me, I would appreciate it.

]]> By: Larry http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-27700 Larry Fri, 13 Aug 2010 05:27:04 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-27700 I started shooting real estate images in 1995. At that time as a Commercial photographer my day rate was $1650.00 per day for a 10 hour day. I could and did shoot 10 interior views per day/house via set up, light, tear down, move on etc., etc. This was all digital as I discontinued shooting film in 1990. The cost of not shooting film, Polaroid, and processing helped the profit margin. I also charged for travel mileage and drive time. I settled into shooting for one local publication here in Kansas City Missouri, but to get all their work I needed to lower my fee to $125.00 per view plus travel fee of $60.00 per location average. I would average 15 views per month for that publication. We had 900 builders in KC Missouri western metro area of Kansas and all surrounding communities. 2009 economy tanked. There are probably a total of 100 builders now. During the high economy page count stood at 60-80 pages. The present issue was page count of 16 pages. Last week the editor requested that I not charge a travel fee and reduce my imaging fee. I asked what she thought a fair fee would be.....she said XXXX photographer could shoot for $75 per view/shot and not charge a travel. I suggested that she should schedule her next assignment with XXXX photographer because I could not afford work for her any longer. My point is, do not treat your work as a hobby but as a business. What are your expenses? Fuel, drive time, equipment, replacement cost, business insurance, medical insurance, office expenses, etc., etc. and do not forget paying yourself. Pencil to paper, you may find you are working for pennies per hour. If you undercut your peers you are really not hurting anyone but yourself. The best thing that happened to me in my 42 years of imaging is the digital camera. The worst thing that happened to me is the digital camera. In general, the quality of imaging has gone in the toilet for the bottom line as every real estate on site agent has their own digital and they shoot their own images. They also do their own hair cuts and brain surgery. Because you own a hammer does not make you a carpenter............ I started shooting real estate images in 1995. At that time as a Commercial photographer my day rate was $1650.00 per day for a 10 hour day. I could and did shoot 10 interior views per day/house via set up, light, tear down, move on etc., etc. This was all digital as I discontinued shooting film in 1990. The cost of not shooting film, Polaroid, and processing helped the profit margin. I also charged for travel mileage and drive time. I settled into shooting for one local publication here in Kansas City Missouri, but to get all their work I needed to lower my fee to $125.00 per view plus travel fee of $60.00 per location average. I would average 15 views per month for that publication. We had 900 builders in KC Missouri western metro area of Kansas and all surrounding communities. 2009 economy tanked. There are probably a total of 100 builders now. During the high economy page count stood at 60-80 pages. The present issue was page count of 16 pages.
Last week the editor requested that I not charge a travel fee and reduce my imaging fee. I asked what she thought a fair fee would be…..she said XXXX photographer could shoot for $75 per view/shot and not charge a travel. I suggested that she should schedule her next assignment with XXXX photographer because I could not afford work for her any longer.
My point is, do not treat your work as a hobby but as a business. What are your expenses? Fuel, drive time, equipment, replacement cost, business insurance, medical insurance, office expenses, etc., etc. and do not forget paying yourself. Pencil to paper, you may find you are working for pennies per hour. If you undercut your peers you are really not hurting anyone but yourself. The best thing that happened to me in my 42 years of imaging is the digital camera. The worst thing that happened to me is the digital camera. In general, the quality of imaging has gone in the toilet for the bottom line as every real estate on site agent has their own digital and they shoot their own images. They also do their own hair cuts and brain surgery. Because you own a hammer does not make you a carpenter…………

]]> By: Robert http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-27677 Robert Wed, 11 Aug 2010 19:52:23 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-27677 Hi Sara, Getting into real estate photography isn't hard or easy. It all depends on how motivated you are and how much effort and time you spend on it. The quickest and easiest way is sign up with Circlepix. You won't make a lot of money but you will gain contacts and experience. I spent a year with Circlepix and then I started my own business. The other way is to market your services to real estate companies in your area. Unless you have marketing know how this can be quite a challenge. One way to market yourself is to offer to shoot their first property for free. Everyone likes something for nothing and real estate agents are notoriously cheap; free works for them every time. Sara what you want to do is establish a reputation for high quality photos and great customer service and your business will grow rapidly. If you would like to learn more, reply to this email and I'll be happy to mentor you in getting started in real estate photography. Have a great day Robert Hi Sara,

Getting into real estate photography isn’t hard or easy. It all depends on how motivated you are and how much effort and time you spend on it. The quickest and easiest way is sign up with Circlepix. You won’t make a lot of money but you will gain contacts and experience. I spent a year with Circlepix and then I started my own business. The other way is to market your services to real estate companies in your area. Unless you have marketing know how this can be quite a challenge. One way to market yourself is to offer to shoot their first property for free. Everyone likes something for nothing and real estate agents are notoriously cheap; free works for them every time.

Sara what you want to do is establish a reputation for high quality photos and great customer service and your business will grow rapidly.
If you would like to learn more, reply to this email and I’ll be happy to mentor you in getting started in real estate photography.

Have a great day

Robert

]]> By: Sarah http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-27662 Sarah Tue, 10 Aug 2010 07:45:37 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-27662 How do you get into becoming a realestate photographer?? I've wanted to do it as a kid but never knew how to go about doing it. My e-mail is sarahofg2004@hotmail.com if somebody could give any tips that would be helpfull. Thank you How do you get into becoming a realestate photographer?? I’ve wanted to do it as a kid but never knew how to go about doing it. My e-mail is sarahofg2004@hotmail.com if somebody could give any tips that would be helpfull. Thank you

]]> By: annon http://photographyforrealestate.net/2010/02/09/what-should-i-charge-for-a-shoot/comment-page-1/#comment-25090 annon Thu, 11 Feb 2010 11:57:37 +0000 http://photographyforrealestate.net/?p=4150#comment-25090 A good photographer knows his market. its no good being a great photographer if you dont have the contacts. Invest in yourself with time and build a relationship.No sure about Seattle but some of the so called sleepy areas can pay well. These days there are some pretty average photographers out there trying to get into the market, they can damage the pricing, but hopefully the agents are all educated on Photography and can spot and stay with the good photographers. A good photographer knows his market.
its no good being a great photographer if you dont have the contacts.
Invest in yourself with time and build a relationship.No sure about Seattle but some of the so called sleepy areas can pay well.

These days there are some pretty average photographers out there trying to get into the market, they can damage the pricing, but hopefully the agents are all educated on Photography and can spot and stay with the good photographers.

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