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PFRE is the original online resource for real estate and interior photographers. Since 2006, it has been a community hub where like-minded professionals from around the world gather to share information with a common goal of improving their work and advancing their business. With thousands of articles, covering hundreds of topics, PFRE offers the most robust collection of educational material in our field. The history of real estate photography has been documented within these pages.
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Image banner for the March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month Winner Alex Vincent, with a featured image of his winning photo titled "Kitchen."

Congratulations Alex Vincent! March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month

Congratulations Alex Vincent, March 2024 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen". Alex Vincent - #906 Yvonne Raaijmakers - #909 Peter Wingfield - #902 Here's what Alex has to say: Thank you for the award of Photographer of th ...

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For over a decade, photographers from around the world have participated in PFRE’s monthly photography contests, culminating in the year-end crowning of PFRE’s Photographer of the Year. With a new theme each month and commentary offered by some of the finest real estate & interior photographers anywhere, these contests offer a fun, competitive environment with rich learning opportunities. 

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Posts By Larry Lohrman

Larry Lohrman
Latest posts by Larry Lohrman (see all)

How Do Real Estate Photographers Deal With Windows?

In: 
01/03/2017
9 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
asked the following: I am starting to explore real estate photography and have been playing with HDR in Lightroom. When looking at this month's photo winners, I notice that the views outside the windows are crystal clear. How is that done? Does the photographer use multiple flashes? Any input would be appreciated.
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Congratulations Jenn Verrier - February PFRE Photographer of the Month

In: 
24/02/2017
21 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Jenn Verrier in Arlington, Virginia who the jury has voted PFRE Photographer of the Month for February. This is Jenn’s first win as the PFRE Photographer of the Month. Here are the entries that the jurors awarded points to this month in order of points awarded:

How Can Real Estate Photographers Speed up Bracket Processing?

In: 
20/02/2017
24 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Tod in Virginia says: In the past, I've worked mainly on my own but I'm going to work (as a contractor) for a small boutique-ish staging and photography group.  It's all good and the pay is nice, the only possible drawback is I do all the post processing myself  I love Lightroom, but for my […]

Should You Be Concerned When Realtors Watermark Their Listing Photos?

In: 
14/02/2017
11 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Ryan in Texas asks: Should I be concerned about listing services that allow a Realtor to watermark their listing photos? The watermarking of photos appears to advertise the realtor's services and prevent the photos' subsequent appropriation by another realtor or broker should the listing agent lose the listing, but it seems like a slippery slope. […]

Should You Set Your Camera to sRGB or Adobe RGB? What About ADL?

In: 
07/02/2017
6 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
in VA asks: When shooting photos should I use Adobe RGB or sRGB?  I notice when I shoot in RAW, Lightroom automatically changes my settings I have in my camera but not in JPG. Sometimes my clients say there can be to much contrast in photos. Right now I have the camera set for sRGB […]

How Should Real Estate Photographers Deal with Non-Compete Agreements?

In: 
06/02/2017
9 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
I had two questions on non-compete agreements last week. Both readers asked for examples of non-compete agreements as if there is some right way to write one. Over the years everyone I've talked to about non-compete agreements they've signed have found themselves in a disastrous situation after wanting to work on their own. My advice on […]

How to Market Real Estate Photography to Real Estate Agents

In: 
03/02/2017
19 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Devon in CA says: I recently introduced myself to a large office of Realtors in my area with intentions to just get my flyers around. However the lady at the front desk told me that very few of their realtors were in at the time. She suggested to me to actually contact the office manager […]

How to Keep Windows from Being Too Bright When Using LR/Enfuse

In: 
02/02/2017
15 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Keri in KS asked: I shoot 3 brackets with a Canon 5DMKIII and process them with LR/Enfuse but when I shoot towards bright windows the windows turn out too bright even though I expose for the darks inside the windows. I also get some color casts. What can I do to fix these problems? The […]

Congratulations Travis Rowan – January PFRE Photographer of The Month

In: 
23/01/2017
9 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Travis Rowan who the jury has voted PFRE Photographer of the Month for January. This is Travis’s third win as the PFRE Photographer of the Month. The other two wins were September 2016 and September 2015. There were a huge number of great twilight shots this month! Here are the entries that the jurors awarded points […]

What are the Requirements for Photographers with Regards to 1099s?

In: 
21/01/2017
12 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
John in NJ asks: I am a one person photographer. I have a client, the first time in 6 years is wanting to give me a 1099 for services. What are the requirements for photographers with regards to 1099s?

Can Previous Listing Agents or Homeowners Control the Use of Your Real Estate Photos?

In: 
17/01/2017
15 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Jim in New Mexico asks the following question: I recently shot a home for a new broker who just got the listing. Since I photographed the same home 1 year ago for another broker and the previous seller, I felt compelled to use some of the previous summer season shots of the yards. All interior […]

Congratulations to Brandon Cooper PFRE Photographer of the Year for 2016

In: 
01/01/2017
19 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Brandon Cooper, PFRE Photographer of the year for 2016. Contestants for Photographer of the year were the winners of the 2016 photographer of the month. Brandon won 3 monthly contests in 2016. Below are the results of the jury's voting. The list shows all contestants that got votes in order of the number of […]

Congratulations to Matt Van Emmerik 2016 PFRE Videographer of The Year

In: 
01/01/2017
9 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Matt Van Emmerik, PFRE Videographer of the year for 2016. Contestants for Videographer of the year were the winners of the 2016 Videographer of the month. All 2016 Videographers of the month are shown here. Below is the results of the PFRE video jury's voting. This list shows everyone that received votes in […]

What Should Real Estate Photographers Charge for Rental Photos?

In: 
29/12/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
Chris in NJ asks: I have been asked to do a handful of vacation rental properties. I'm not sure if these should be priced differently than a house for sale. I'm assuming the cost should be higher since the photos will be used longer. But do you charge double? Triple? I'm not really sure. Any […]

Zillow Is Now Allowing Professionally Created Video To Be Added to Listings

In: 
17/12/2016
24 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Michele in Annapolis reports that you can now get professional quality edited video on Zillow listings. She says: Hi all: Zillow is now allowing professionally created video to be added to listings. Agents or Zillow photographers must contact their reps, submit the YouTube link via email and pay $149. A bit steep, but at least […]

Congratulations to Hamish Beeston – November PFRE Videographer of The Month

In: 
03/12/2016
12 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Hamish Beeston of Bristol, UK who the video jury has voted PFRE videographer of the month for Sep/Oct/Nov 2016. Click here or on the image to the right to have a look at Hamish’s winning video. This is Hamish's third time winning the Video contest and he was voted the 2014 PFRE videographer […]

Is It Possible To Get By Shooting Real Estate With A 24mm Lens?

In: 
25/11/2016
15 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Vickie in TN asks: I am struggling with choosing a suitable wide-angle lens to use with my Nikon D4.  Being new to real estate photography, I hesitate to purchase the best/most expensive just yet.  However, I am not confident that I can get by with my 24mm.  When I browse real estate listings, I see […]

Congratulations Brian Doherty – November PFRE Photographer of The Month

In: 
23/11/2016
18 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Brian Doherty of Boston, MA who the jury has voted PFRE Photographer of the Month for November. This is Brian’s third win as the PFRE Photographer of the Month. The other two wins were June 2016 and July 2015. Here are all the entries that the jurors awarded points to this month:

How Do You Keep Yourself And Camera Out Of Bathroom Mirrors?

In: 
09/11/2016
19 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Mike in Southern CA says: Okay I have a question for everybody. When shooting a bathroom some of them are covered in mirrors. How do you guys get rid of the camera in the reflection? Or work around it. I hate Photoshopping my camera out of a mirror

How to Create Real Estate Floor Plans

In: 
27/10/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
Ivy in New York asks: I was wondering if you know where I can learn how to create floor plans for my real estate clients? Is there an app you can recommend. There is a huge number of floor plan Apps. Most people that do floor plans use some kind of laser measuring device to […]

Congratulations Aaron Kraft – October PFRE Photographer Of The Month

In: 
24/10/2016
12 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Aaron Kraft of Jackson, Wyoming who the jury as voted PFRE Photographer of the month for October 2016. As you can see from the comments on Aaron's entry the jurors disagreed as to whether Aaron's shot looked elevated enough to fit this month's theme of "Elevated exterior shot- Pole Aerial Photography, Aerial or […]

Do Real Estate Photographers Need to Ask For Permission to Use Listing Photo For Their Own Marketing?

In: 
18/10/2016
7 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Summer in California asks: Do I need to ask permission from the realtor, or homeowner to use the photos I take of their listing for my own marketing (website, social media, mailers, etc.)?

What is The Preferred Way of lighting Rooms Without Windows?

In: 
10/10/2016
4 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Vida in Kranj, Slovenia asks: What is your preferred way of lighting rooms without windows? Having elaborate lighting to mimic windows is often impossible due to small spaces and also misleading. Rooms with one strong light overhead are lighted terribly with ugly shadows and colors. Using bounced flash is often flat and just not soft […]

Are There Advantages to Using CamRanger Over Built-in DSLR WiFi Apps?

In: 
05/10/2016
15 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Sanjay in India asks: What are the advantages of using a CamRanger for tethering instead of using the inbuilt wifi in Canon 5DMKIV which you can use to transfer images wireless to your laptop or to your Smartphone or iPad. My understanding (I don't use a camera with WiFi but do use CamRanger on my 5DMKII) of […]

Does A GoPro Make Sense For Someone Starting To Shoot Property Video?

In: 
03/10/2016
9 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Stuart asks: I was considering upgrading my Canon EOS 5D to the Mark III so that I could take videos. I then came across the GoPro system. I would like to know if anyone uses a Go Pro for videos, and any shortcomings, recommendations that other members might have. I think you are right for […]

What Are Tips And Tricks For Shooting Pools?

In: 
30/09/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
Tim in Palm Springs wants to know: I am looking for tips and tricks to shooting swimming pools (both at dusk with lights on and during the day for pools with no lights).  I searched the PFRE site but couldn't seem to find anything.

Should Real Estate Photographers Get An Associate MLS Membership?

In: 
29/09/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
Peggy in Alabama says: I have been asked by a few realtors if I would consider offering the service to upload the photos for them as an add on. I just can't imagine I would recoup the cost of an associate membership to do this, not to mention my time. Do any of you offer […]

Congratulations To Travis Rowan - PFRE Photographer Of The Month For September

In: 
23/09/2016
12 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Travis Rowan of Maui, Hawaii who has won the September photographer of the month for September. Travis won this contest last September - I think that the September theme, "Patio deck or garden space" is just Travis's thing! Here are the contestants that the jurors awarded points to this month:

How To Get More Depth of Field On An Interior Shot

In: 
13/09/2016
8 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Recently Tim asked: I shoot 360 degree virtual tours.  I shoot f8 @ 200.  How can I increase my depth of field? I just so happens I was watching a lynda.com video on Architectural photography by Richard Klein and he illustrated focus stacking on an interior shot. Since I like Macro photography, I've done this on Macro […]

How To Deal With A Huge Flag On The Front Of The Property You Are Shooting?

In: 
05/09/2016
14 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Eric in Florida asks: I recently had an issue (actually happened a few times) that came up. While on a shoot, I got to the property, there was a huge American flag flying from the front of the home. Since I am a disabled Vietnam vet, I love to see people flying the flag. But […]

Congratulations to Anders Carlson – August PFRE Videographer of The Month

In: 
01/09/2016
8 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Anders Carlson of Kailua Kona, HI who won the PFRE Property Videographer of the month of August 2016. Here is Anders winning video. This month there were a bunch of great videos! Rachel and Matt tied for third place. Here are the results of the jury's voting:

Transitioning From A 9 to 5 Job To Full Time Real Estate Photography

In: 
23/08/2016
16 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Michael in Atlanta asked the following: I've shot professionally 3-4 years ago (while in college) and have since taken the more traditional career route of a 9-5, however, as of late I've felt an overwhelming urge to go back to my roots. Photography is definitely a passion, but the lifestyle it affords is almost as, […]

Congratulations Aaron Kraft - August PFRE Photographer Of The Month

In: 
21/08/2016
11 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Aaron Kraft of Jackson, Wyoming who the jury as voted PFRE Photographer of the month for August 2016. Aaron's stunning daylight exterior photo won by a huge margin! Here are all the entries that the jurors awarded points to this month: Aaron Kraft Tony Colangelo Barry MacKenzie - Photo deleted from the contest pool […]

Congratulations to Rachel von Nordeck - July PFRE Videographer of The Month

In: 
01/08/2016
4 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Rachel von Nordeck in Christchurch, New Zealand who won the PFRE Property Videographer of the month for July 2016. Here is Rachel's winning video. Here are the ranking results of the jury's voting: Rachel von Nordeck Marcus Johnson Joshua Vernon-Rogers Anders Carlson Diane Zahorodny Bill Oxford Vic DeVore

What's A Zillow Certified Photographer?

In: 
29/07/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
A couple of days ago Cindy in VA asked me: A friend and I noticed a reference on the Internet to "Zillow Certified Photographer".  So we just spent the last 30 minutes on the Internet trying to find anything out about this with no answers, just Everbrite invites to locations in the US on dates […]

Congratulations Tony Colangelo - PFRE Photographer of The Month for July

In: 
25/07/2016
15 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Tony Colangelo of Victoria, BC who the jury as voted PFRE Photographer of the month for July 2016. This is Tony's fourth PFRE photographer of the month win. Only Tony and Brandon Cooper are four-time winners. Also, it's worth noting that Tony's wins are over a period of four consecutive  years. He is the […]

Does Virtual Twilight Processing Make Sense For Real Estate Photographers?

In: 
18/07/2016
10 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Last week a reader asked an interesting question: I recently found a service some companies are providing Realtors called 'Virtual Twilight' Photography. Instead of going out and shooting at dusk they post process the daylight photos for the Twilight effect. I've looked all over the Internet and the PFRE blog but can't seem to find […]

How Do You Real Estate Videographers Deliver Video?

In: 
06/07/2016
13 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Mike who is just starting out asks about delivering video: I'm shooting both stills and video drone photography now for local agents. I'm having a few challenges on what resolution to deliver to the agents for their MLS listing, Especially VIDEO! What is everyone using for video format (mpeg4, avi, mov etc) and the resolution […]

Congratulations Matt Van Emmerik - PFRE Property Videographer of the Month May/June

In: 
02/07/2016
17 Comments
By: Larry Lohrman
Congratulations to Matt Van Emmerik (Showcase Photography) in Kelowna, BC who won the Property Videographer of the month contest for May/June 2016. Here is Matt's winning video. Here are the ranking results of the video jury's voting: Kelowna Real Estate Photography - Matt Van Emmerik Joshua Vernon-Rogers Allan MacKenzie Brandon Headley Anders Carlson Donald Wagner Morgan Franklin […]

Do Real Estate Photographers Need to Collect Sales Tax On Shoots?

In: 
30/06/2016
By: Larry Lohrman
Stephanie in Washington state asks: I have launched my business and finally gotten my first paying job, then I went to make my first invoice and can't figure out if I have to charge my customers WA State Sales Tax? I have been reading the state website about taxes and still haven't figured it out. […]
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