How to Start a Real Estate Photography Business

This business consists of an individual, or a team, who are hired to take quality pictures of properties for sale. The purpose is to attract potential buyers who view the property online. Due to the competitive nature of the real estate industry, the demand for quality property photos is elevated and perpetual. Proper lighting and point of view helps a property stand out above the competition, driving potential buyers to view the property.

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Start a real estate photography business by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Real Estate Photography Business
  2. Form your Real Estate Photography Business into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Real Estate Photography Business for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Real Estate Photography Business
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Real Estate Photography Business
  7. Get Real Estate Photography Business Insurance
  8. Define your Real Estate Photography Business Brand
  9. Create your Real Estate Photography Business Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your real estate photography business. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Real Estate Photography Business Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a real estate photography business?

While the growth potential is high, many business owners start out as the sole photographer. This eliminates the need for a physical location, decreasing initial start-up and overhead costs. Industry leaders indicate a budget of $10,000 or less should be sufficient.

To get started, you will need the following items:

  • Camera – While you do not need a top-of-the-line model, make sure it has the ability to change out lenses and add a cable release, flash, and wireless trigger.
  • Wide and ultra-wide angle lens
  • Flashes – You will need several, designed for different sized spaces.
  • Light stands
  • Tripod
  • Editing software – Adobe Photoshop Lightroom and the SLR Lounge Lightroom Preset System come highly recommended
  • Dropbox or other file-sharing software
  • Insurance

There are a number of franchise opportunities available in this industry as well. While start-up costs are higher, this provides additional resources to investors that could help accelerate enterprise growth. Franchising costs range from $15,500 to $45,000.

What are the ongoing expenses for a real estate photography business?

Until you decide to open a home office, your overhead expenses are fairly minimal. Items you should budget for include:

  • Website maintenance – $100 to $1,200 annually
  • Accounting software – up to $300 per year
  • Editing software – $48 to $150 per year
  • Business insurance
  • Fuel costs
  • Marketing materials
  • Payroll and payroll taxes – hire photographers on a freelance basis to reduce insurance exposure and payroll expenses.

Who is the target market?

Your customers all have one thing in common – they are trying to sell their home or commercial property. They understand the value of publishing quality photos and include this as an essential part of their real estate budget.

How does a real estate photography business make money?

Real estate photographers generate revenue from each shoot and photo delivery. Most charge according to the type of property. When photographing personal property for real estate agents, they are paid prior to or on a shoot and based on the number of images which have been contracted to provide. For commercial clients, a deposit is paid upfront. The remaining balance is invoiced to the customer upon delivery of images.

How much can you charge customers?

Pricing varies from $80 to $500 per shoot, depending upon the size of the property being photographed and what part of the country you reside. This includes the photo shoot and delivery of twenty-five to fifty edited photos. Novice real estate photographers are urged to carefully consider their pricing. Undercutting the competition only devalues the entire profession.

How much profit can a real estate photography business make?

Like most startup businesses, it can take one to three years to realize a significant profit. Independent real estate photographers average an annual profit of $50,000, with many exceeding $90,000 per year. Considering the low overhead costs, profits stand to climb exponentially for each freelancer/employee you add to your team.

How can you make your business more profitable?

There are a number of strategies you can implement to maximize your organization’s profits:

  • Extend your services to include photos intended for magazines, ads, and other promotional materials. Businesses that might benefit from your work include: builders, resorts, hotels, home stagers, interior designers, restaurants, and nightclubs.
  • Partner with property management companies in the community.
  • Approach local magazines and offer your services for their regular publications.
  • Research what areas of the country are in need of real estate photographers and open satellite offices there.
  • Teach photography classes and host seminars.
  • Offer online classes.
  • Offer instructional videos.

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your real estate photography business is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your real estate photography business were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a real estate photography business. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Services Contract

Real estate photography businesses should require clients to sign a services agreement before starting a new project.  This agreement should clarify client expectations and minimize risk of legal disputes by setting out payment terms and conditions, service level expectations, and intellectual property ownership.

Recommended: Rocket Lawyer makes it easy to create a professional service agreement for your real estate photography business when you sign up for their premium membership. For $39.95 per month, members receive access to hundreds of legal agreements and on call attorneys to get complimentary legal advice.

Certificate of Occupancy

A real estate photography business can be run out of an office. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO).  A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

  • If you plan to lease a location:
    • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
    • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a real estate photography business.
    • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued. 
  • If you plan to purchase or build a location:
    • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
    • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your real estate photography business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Real Estate Photography Business needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Real Estate Photography Business.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a real estate photography business

In today’s business landscape, every marketing strategy should include a website and an active role on social media sites. For this industry, Facebook, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, and Tumblr garner the best results. Additionally, The Real Estate Photographers of America & International (REPAI) offers the public an effective way to identify the best in the industry. Photographers are urged to invest in membership and take advantage of this useful tool.

It will also be necessary for you to network within the community. Visit local real estate offices and commercial businesses that are on the market, leaving pamphlets that showcase your work. Ads in real estate magazines and online forums are also an effective way to generate leads.

How to keep customers coming back

To incentivize prospective clients, consider offering a new client discount and offer to re-shoot and re-edit at no additional cost to the customer. Deliver quality service by arriving on time and delivering your images by the defined deadline. It’s also critical that you personally follow up with each client to ensure satisfaction. If you allow just one dissatisfied client to slip through the cracks, it could derail your path to success.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

Ideally, individuals with photography experience and an eye for architectural detail will be the best fits. Contacts in the real estate industry are an added bonus. It is also beneficial for the person to enjoy working outside or away from an office setting. Being in the field requires reliable transportation and an ability to transport gear, sometimes on foot for extended amounts of time, as well.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a real estate photography business?

Your time will be split between running the business and being out in the field shooting photos. A typical week will include the following activities:

  • Meeting with clients to confirm what parts of the structure they need photographed and if they have any special requests or needs for the photo shoot.
  • Surveying property prior to a shoot to get an idea of lighting, time of day for exterior shots, etc.
  • Identifying the best angle for each shot and staging the area.
  • Editing photos
  • Sharing photos with client
  • Following up with client to ensure they received images
  • Re-shooting or re-editing images
  • Administrative work – Entering information into accounting software and paying bills/payroll
  • Marketing and networking – Checking in with past clients to see if they have any other properties that need to be photographed, attending realtor’s meetings, and calling real estate agents and businesses, reminding them of the services you offer.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful real estate photography business?

Real estate photography requires an eye for detail, architecture, and lighting. These skills will help deliver photos that require little editing and ensure a smooth post-processing experience. Professionals must possess strong communication skills and should be able to work under the pressure of deadlines.

Individuals who are looking to improve their photography and editing skills should visit Photography for Real Estate. This site offers a number of eBooks, workshops, and videos specific to this industry. They also offer coaching, monthly photo contests, and a flickr group, which is an open forum, designed to provide feedback from the industry’s most successful photographers. Additionally, Real Estate Photographers of America & International (REPAI) has proven to be an invaluable resource, providing advice regarding both photography and the business aspect of growing your enterprise.

Since your long-term success requires a balance between your photography prowess and business acumen, novice entrepreneurs are urged to take a business planning course before getting started.

What is the growth potential for a real estate photography business?

A growing number of real estate consumers are realizing that professional-quality staging and photography can add value to a real estate listing. For this reason, the demand for real estate photographers is high, allowing businesses to decide for themselves exactly how much volume they accept.

Before entering the industry, however, photographers are advised to research their area to define market saturation and identify specific industry needs that are not currently being met. To further expand their businesses, many business owners have opened satellite offices in other areas of the country.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a real estate photography business?

Before getting started, consider these insider tips from experienced real estate photographers:

  • Prior to the shoot, send each client a task list. This should include suggestions on how to prep the property.
  • Plan ahead for the seasonal lulls. From November to January and August to September, the work will be inconsistent. With the right marketing strategy in place, you should be able to find work year round.
  • Always work to sharpen your photography skills by shooting every day, regardless of the subject, and trying strategies.
  • Be flexible. You may have to revisit a property multiple times to capture proper lighting.
  • Carefully review their rules before partnering with a large real estate company. Many of them require a non-compete contract and offer minimal compensation for your work.
  • While you don’t need the most expensive equipment, make sure you’ve invested in a Digital Single-lens Reflex (DSLR) camera, an ultra-wide angle lens, and a tripod.
  • Provide your clients with both web-based and full resolution photos.
  • In real estate, timing is everything. Consistently offer quick turnaround on your jobs.
  • To ensure you are properly compensated, require clients sign a contract that defines the details of your job, as well as what you require of them.
  • Google Maps and Google Earth are great tools for determining the best time of day to shoot the outside of the property.

How and when to build a team

The size of your team should be consistent with the amount of business available. When your organization is busy enough to warrant hiring employees, conduct a thorough background check on each candidate. It is your job to ensure your clients and their possessions are safe from your company’s representatives.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading