Real estate photography can be an extremely tough business to get into and make money. Especially when you face stiff competition from national companies who price their tours comparable to a new pair of shoes. Often times, agents are only interested in the bottom line and are already using a company that they are happy with. How do you price yourself competitively and yet make money? You make sure that you have upsells.



This is what I had to do to get started in my area. One of…

When I entered into real estate photography, I was an island. I did not have anyone to turn to, to ask questions of and bounce ideas around. I had to figure out what accountant to use, where to go for local camera repairs, and where to get prints. That is until I cold-called a local architectural photographer to get some help. I explained to him what I was doing and that I wanted to assist him. He told me that he had all of the assistants he needed and he did not want to teach me what he…

I ran across a new device that could be a help creating video tours. It is called the SWIVL. It is discribed as a "personal cameraman." Basically, the device plugs into an iPhone and tracks or swivels wherever the included mic is, 360 degrees. If you set the SWIVL on a tripod, anyone can film themselves and move about a room while sharing its features. The best part of the whole thing is that the SWIVL comes with a lav mic so you do not…

In my last post, I stated that I shoot a number of weddings each year. My real estate business has only helped increase the amount of wedding business I receive. How have I leaverage my real estate shoots to gain business in other areas? Apple.



A few years ago, I was photographing a home when I overheard an agent and homeowner talking about how the homeowner's daughter had just gotten engaged. Thinking on my feet, I remembered that I had a few images from a recent wedding on my…