Job For Photographers

I have a Facebook friend who does this and seems to love it. I've also had two real estate companies steal my photos and use them on their web site. So you need to watch out for that too.

They list quire frequently in Craigslist, although many of those listings have so many contingencies-must have X size wide angle lens, must have tablet, must have lighting...then I look at their listings and the photos look like crap!

Louise, I agree. To many wants and requirements, to just turn out pissy shots.

I approached a couple, but they just shoot them with their iPhone.

If it's a ten million dollar house, then you wouldn't want to do it anyway. It's like shooting a movie, with so many lights and crew and such.

The company my friend works for gave him a tripod which extends 25 feet up.

Louise!

I know! A good friend of mine is a builder, high end homes. His recent project, condos that sell for $750k to over a mil.

I seen his ad in the local real estate guide and I was shocked !

I asked him when I ran into him at the golf course why he didn't use a professional photog and he got really upset and said he did and paid a fortune. He was really upset. I gave him the name of a guy that does studio work for all of the big ad agencies out of Los Angles and he called him. He said holy crap that guy wants a fortune! I looked at him and called him a cheap b%$&@$d and said you can not sell million dollar condos with cheap photos.

He ended up paying the price. Some times these people that have millions and millions of dollars invested, just don't gt it.

Thanks Steve for the heads up! You sound like a real go getter and would probably get around the obstacles if you had a nice camera.

Nice idea.

"He ended up paying the price. Some times these people that have millions and millions of dollars invested, just don't gt it."

They are akin to bridezillas who will pay thousands for the gown, the flowers, the venue then want the cheapest photographer they can find. When they would tell my ex-bosses their price was a little steep, they would counter with "do you really want to trust the most important day of your life to amateurs?"

If your friend wanted to boost his reputation and keep selling million dollar homes, he has to invest in showing them off. But yea, people just don't get it.

So true, Louise!!!! I actually quit doing weddings as a result. Too many bad experiences. Regarding Realtors, I actually had one tell me "I don't want an actual photographer...I want someone who just loves taking pictures." I didn't even feel like dignifying THAT with a comment. Some people REALLY don't get it.

I could differently make money at this if I had the time and equipment. In my area I would have a $150.00 minimum. That would get a picture of the front of the house and a couple areas the client wants in the listing. If the client wants the whole house photographed I would figure out how to charge by square footage. It may take a while to get started but I can see this as a great way to make a living. The trick is, treat your small jobs the same as the big jobs always give a 110%.

Philip, 1 hour for the trip to the job and the photos + a couple hours on the computer to put the package together = my minimum $150.00

I do photos for architectural type firms - most recently one that refaces buildings with stonework. The pay is decent for most of them since they require no editing, just have to send them the RAW files. Easy money.

Once I can afford the 8-16mm lens I'm drooling over I'll venture into the real estate market - got connections where I live, just have to get the equipment.