Comments on: Principles For Building A Career Working For Yourself

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 21:11:39 +0000

I’m just starting the process of searching for clients. I’ve been working long hours for the past 2 months building my portfolio while working my 9-5. I just want to mention that this site has been an enormous asset to me. Thank you!

By: Mark

Mark — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:31:31 +0000

The real basics are a decent DSLR camera and a wide angle lens. You should really have a good processing software. This site has a ton of info, so just keep reading!

By: Kevin

Kevin — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 11:36:56 +0000

What special equipment would I need to start in this business, and can I start this business on a shoestring budget.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:43:35 +0000

Mark,
Again, thank you for your advice. I definately will have my work cut out for me. That is a great idea about going to open houses. Thanks. That is better than showing up at their offices! I have already researched the major brokers in the area and have seen the images they post of the houses for sale. I know I can do better! I have a few ideas to try to get business. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that they work!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:40:30 +0000

Carol,
My business is still very young but has grown very fast. One piece of advise I can give would be to have your product well refined so that when you start getting orders you can hit the ground running. That is not the time to learn. My only marketing I have done, is going to Brokers open houses on Tuesdays and chatting with agents. Pick out a few heavy hitters in your area and go meet them. They are usually bored during these open houses so you have their attention. Research that agent, know what their pictures look like, who they are currently paying and how much. Bring something to leave with them, I made a postcard sized advertisment with my info on it. Sort of like a big business card. Every week I have done this, I picked up one more agent.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:09:26 +0000

Hi Mark,
Thank you so much for replying and your advice. I hope that if I do pursue a career in real estate photography I become so successful that I don’t have to market my business!
I have a lot of research to do before I get started!

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:01:09 +0000

Carol,
I’m sure that even in a small town some of the top agents are using photographers. When I started my business these were the agents I targeted. They already pay for photos, so you dont have to tell them that their pictures are no good. You just need to be competitive and find your niche. I offered 50% off to new customers, to help get started. That may have been too low, but I only needed to do it for a couple weeks and things have taken off now. I have 5 top producing brokers now and am very happy with the amount of business I receive from them. I’ve pretty much stopped marketing, as I’m afraid I wont be able to keep up. Word of mouth spreads fast with Realtors.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:42:49 +0000

I was wondering if someone could tell me in what type of city/town they live in and have had success in real estate photography? I live in a more rural area, but would love to be a real estate photographer. However, I am not sure of the need in my area. Most agencies have the realtors take the photos themselves and I think it would be an expence the agencies wouldn’t want to spend when the average selling house is around $210,000. Has anyone else experienced a sitiuation such as this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

By: larry

larry — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:00:17 +0000

@Otto- Just Google “floor plan software mac” to find a bunch of alternatives.

By: Otto Knaus

Otto Knaus — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 01:16:45 +0000

Can anyone please suggest a simple MAC program for doing floor plans PLEASE. I love the look of the ifloorplan sample with the different colors. I have a laser tape-measure and as for this real-estate side I’m a newbi. Thank you all.