01 Feb Getting The Best Real Estate Photography | 6 Questions To Ask
What To Ask When Seeking Professional Real Estate Photography
Many of us enjoy looking at real estate photography online just for fun! Sometimes it to get an idea of what your home may be worth, other times it’s to check out that dream home deep in the mountains, or at the beach. You might be dreaming about what it would be like to be sitting on the porch with a cool drink enjoying the salt air.
The truth is, sometimes you can go through a lot of listings until you come across that one that just jumps off your screen. If you’re searching for a new home, it can be frustrating wading through all those listings to find the one that connects and makes you want to get on the phone instantly!
As a seller, online images are one of the strongest assets for generating interest, getting people through the door and selling your home quickly. Because real estate photography is one of the most important aspects of marketing your home, choosing the right photographer is an important task and one that should not be taken lightly.
What follows are six key questions to ask any prospective photographers if you are listing your home for sale. Their answers can help you to make sure you get the best candidate for your real estate photography.
1. Are they an experienced real estate photography firm or photographer?
Seems like common sense right? But many photographers will take a job when it’s offered. Unfortunately, just because they are an excellent portrait photographer, it doesn’t make a great real estate photographer.
Real estate photography is a highly specialized skill. Your photographer must have experience with proper lighting and must be a master at composing shots that can attract and hold a buyers attention. Always ask to see their portfolio and make sure they are talented at photographing architectural spaces accurately, as well as artistically. Look for professional indicators in the images like, are the walls straight or distorted, are the images sharp from the closest object to the furthest, and does the lighting look natural or is the foreground brighter and the background dark.
2. Do they have the proper equipment for taking high-quality real estate photography?
It doesn’t matter if they have a Sony, Nikon, or a Canon camera. What’s important is that they have equipment that is up to date and up to the job. Ask if they use a professional camera, tripod, and professional lighting gear. Professional real estate photography requires at least a 16-megapixel camera with off camera flash. Wide angle lenses are also a must have for shooting tight spaces like bathrooms and butlers pantries – 10mm isn’t uncommon. Quality lighting equipment is also a way to judge the competency of a photographer. An on-camera flash in the wrong hands is the worst possible light for real estate photography. A professional real estate photographer will have made a significant investment in their equipment, will have the right tools for the job and know how to use those tools effectively.
3. Do they offer specialty photography like drone images and video services?
Today, competition is fierce, and you need a photographer that is current with the newest techniques and technology. Aerial drone photography is a rapidly growing technology that can create a 360-degree video that can indeed make you home stand out. A true full-service, full-range real estate photography firm will offer an industry-specific list of services to meet any client needs.
4. How quickly can they run post production and provide finished images?
A professional understands that turnaround time is critical in today’s competitive real estate market. Unless the home is being shot for a major magazine where a stylist is involved, real estate should take about two hours (unless a drone is involved) and you should have finished images within about two days. Pro’s know their market and craft, and they don’t waste time. Efficiency and quick turnaround is part of the service. If they can’t turn around photos quickly, search elsewhere.
5. How good are their customer service skills and support?
How easy is it to get them to your home? How quickly can they schedule your shoot? What listing platform do they use? Make sure that your photographer uses a platform that can work for you. Make sure they have someone locally that you can contact with questions or problems. If you have the time, ask if they are willing to provide an image or two before moving forward in post production. Nothing is worse than receiving dozens of flat or contrasty, over sharpened, excessively saturated, or overproduced HDR images. A professional firm or photographer understands that excellent customer service is a major part of the service that they offer.
6. Do they have the personal skills represent you to your clients?
Your photographer is an extension of your agency. Carefully look at how they dress, if they make eye contact and do they swear during the interview. Make sure you feel that they will treat clients with respect and courtesy. They should portray a professional image, be reliable and friendly. A good photographer understands that they are representing your brand when they’re in the field.
There are plenty of qualified photographers out there. But when you are looking for the highest quality photography to market your properties, make sure to ask the right questions. If you are looking for a quick turnaround, reliable service, excellent customer rapport, make sure you hire a professional for all of your real estate photography!
http://massrealestatenews.com/how-to-get-the-best-photos-when-selling-your-home/
http://www.mediamaxphotography.com/maxnews/5-questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-real-estate-photographer/
http://invisionstudio.com/5-questions-to-ask-before-hiring-a-luxury-real-estate-photographer/