How to Start a Real Estate Photography Business: Complete Step-by-Step Guide 2025

Real estate photography is one of the most lucrative photography niches in 2025. With properties requiring fresh photos every 30-90 days and 93% of homebuyers searching online, the demand has never been higher.

I've built a six-figure real estate photography business from scratch, and I've coached 200+ photographers to do the same. This is your complete roadmap—from your first camera purchase to landing your 100th client.

Why Real Estate Photography is a Smart Business

Market Opportunity

The numbers are compelling:

6.5 million homes sold annually in the US
93% of buyers start their search online (requiring photos)
Average photographer earns: $500-1,200 per property
Repeat business: Same agent hires you 10-50+ times per year
Low competition: Most markets have fewer than 10 professional real estate photographers

Income Potential

Realistic First-Year Income:

Part-time (10 shoots/month): $30K-60K
Full-time (40 shoots/month): $120K-250K
With video add-ons: $180K-400K

Compared to other photography niches:

Wedding photography: Higher stress, limited to weekends, seasonal
Portrait photography: Harder client acquisition, lower price points
Commercial photography: Higher barriers to entry, intense competition

Real estate photography offers consistent demand, predictable income, and faster client acquisition than almost any other photography business.

Phase 1: Equipment & Setup (Week 1-2)

Essential Camera Gear

You don't need $10,000 in gear to start. Here's the realistic minimum:

Starter Kit ($1,500-2,500)

Camera Body ($800-1,200):

Canon EOS RP or R10
Sony A7 III or A7C
Nikon Z5 or Z6

Requirements: Full-frame sensor, good low-light performance, at least 20MP

Lens ($400-700):

16-35mm f/4 (full-frame) or 10-18mm (crop sensor)
Wide angle is non-negotiable for real estate

Tripod ($150-300):

Manfrotto 190 or 055 series
Must support your camera weight + lens
Quick-release head essential

Flash/Lighting ($150-300):

Yongnuo YN560 IV or Godox V860 III
Light stand
Swivel adapter
Wireless trigger

Total Starter Investment: $1,500-2,500

Professional Kit ($4,000-6,000)

Once you're booking consistently, upgrade to:

Camera Body ($2,000-3,000):

Canon EOS R5 or R6 Mark II
Sony A7R V or A7 IV
Nikon Z7 II or Z8

Lenses:

16-35mm f/2.8 ($1,000-1,400)
24-70mm f/2.8 ($800-1,400)
Tilt-shift lens for high-end work ($1,500-2,200)

Lighting:

2-3 high-power flashes
Multiple light stands
Wireless multi-flash system

Drone ($800-1,500):

DJI Mini 4 Pro or Air 3
FAA Part 107 license required

Software Requirements

Photo Editing (Choose One):

Adobe Lightroom Classic ($9.99/month) - Industry standard
Capture One ($15/month) - Superior color/tethering
Luminar Neo ($79/year) - Budget alternative with AI

Why You Need It: Raw processing, batch editing, color correction

Business Management:

Studio Ninja ($25/month) - Scheduling, invoicing, client management
17hats ($45/month) - All-in-one business management
Alternative: Start with Google Calendar + QuickBooks ($15/month)

File Delivery:

Pixieset (free-$10/month) - Beautiful client galleries
Dropbox ($9.99/month) - Simple file sharing
PhotoShelter ($13/month) - Professional delivery

Total Software Cost: $30-80/month to start

Business Essentials

Legal Structure:

LLC formation: $50-500 (varies by state)
EIN from IRS: Free
Business license: $50-200

Insurance (Non-negotiable):

General liability: $400-800/year
Equipment insurance: $200-400/year
Professional liability: $300-600/year
Total: $900-1,800/year

Website:

Domain: $12-15/year
Hosting (Squarespace, Wix, WordPress): $12-30/month
Template: $0-200 one-time

Marketing Materials:

Business cards: $20-50
Email signature
Social media accounts (free)

Total Startup Investment: $4,000-6,000 (equipment + first year business costs)

Phase 2: Skills & Portfolio (Week 2-4)

Master the Fundamentals

You need these core skills before your first paying client:

1. Camera Settings for Real Estate

Exposure Triangle:

Aperture: f/8 to f/11 (everything in focus)
Shutter Speed: 1/60 to 1/15 sec (on tripod)
ISO: 100-400 (minimize noise)

Shooting Mode: Manual (full control) or Aperture Priority (faster)

White Balance:

Auto WB for natural light
Custom WB for mixed lighting
Shoot RAW for maximum editing flexibility

2. Composition Rules

Vertical Lines Must Be Vertical:

Level your camera on tripod
Correct lens distortion in post
Use grid overlay in viewfinder

The "Hero Shot" Rule:

Stand in doorway, capture entire room
Show depth and flow
5-7 feet high viewpoint (eye level + 1-2 feet)

Room Corners:

Shoot from corners to maximize space
Two walls visible = depth perception
Avoid dead-center shooting

Natural Focal Points:

Fireplace, kitchen island, windows
Center these in frame when possible

3. Lighting Techniques

Natural Light Photography (Easiest Start):

Shoot when all interior lights are on
Open all curtains/blinds
Bracket exposures (3-5 shots at different brightness)
Blend in post-processing

Flash Photography (Better Results):

Bounce flash off ceiling/walls
One flash per room minimum
Take 2 shots: flash + ambient, blend in post

HDR Technique (Most Common):

3-5 bracketed exposures
Merge in Lightroom or Photomatix
Maintains window views and dark areas

Flambient (Professional Standard):

Combine flash and ambient exposures
Most natural, balanced look
Requires more post-processing skill

Building Your Portfolio

You need 15-20 portfolio images before marketing to agents.

How to Get Practice Properties:

Your Own Home/Apartment: Start here
Friends & Family: Offer free photos for their homes
Airbnb Hosts: Approach hosts, offer free photos for portfolio use
Builders/Stagers: Often need photos, may trade for portfolio rights
Discount Offers: First 5 clients at 50% off for portfolio use

Portfolio Must-Haves:

3-4 exterior shots (different property types)
5-7 living rooms
4-5 kitchens
3-4 bedrooms
3-4 bathrooms
2-3 outdoor spaces (yards, patios)
At least 2 different property styles (modern, traditional, etc.)

Portfolio Don'ts:

No amateur clutter or mess
No low-quality smartphone shots
No family photos mixed in
Consistent editing style across all images

Practice Schedule

Week 2-3: Skills Development

Day 1-2: Watch tutorials (YouTube: Nathan Cool, Rich Baum)
Day 3-5: Shoot your own home daily (practice settings)
Day 6-7: Study professional real estate listings (Zillow, Sotheby's)

Week 3-4: Portfolio Building

Week 3: Book 3-4 free shoots (friends, Airbnb hosts)
Week 4: Edit and finalize portfolio shots
Create website/Instagram with portfolio

Week 5: Ready to launch

Phase 3: Pricing Strategy (Week 3)

Market Research

Before setting prices, research your market:

Google Search: "Real estate photographer [your city]"
Check Competitors' Websites: Find 5-10 photographers
Mystery Shop: Email asking for pricing
Local Agent Facebook Groups: See what agents pay

Average Market Rates (United States, 2025):

Market Size	Basic Package	With Drone	With Video
Small Town (<50K)	$150-250	$250-350	$400-600
Mid-Size (50K-500K)	$200-350	$350-500	$600-900
Large Metro (500K+)	$300-500	$500-750	$900-1,500
Luxury Tier	$500-800	$800-1,200	$1,500-3,000

Service Packages

Package 1: Essentials ($200-350)

25-35 edited photos
Interior and exterior shots
24-48 hour delivery
Online gallery
MLS-ready images

Package 2: Premium ($400-600)

40-50 edited photos
Drone aerial shots (5-8 photos)
Twilight exterior (if applicable)
Same features as Essentials

Package 3: Luxury ($700-1,200)

60-80 edited photos
Drone photos and video
Twilight shoot
Virtual tour or video walkthrough
3D Matterport tour (optional add-on)
Priority 24-hour delivery

Add-On Services:

Rush delivery (same day): +$50-100
Additional photos: $5-10 each
Virtual staging: $25-50 per room
Video tour: $200-400
3D Matterport: $100-200

Pricing Psychology

Start at 80% of Market Rate:

Easier to book first clients
Raise prices after 20-30 shoots
Increase by 10-15% every 6 months until at market rate

Package Anchoring:

Present 3 packages
Price middle package as your target
Most clients choose middle option

Volume Discounts:

5+ shoots/month: 10% off per shoot
10+ shoots/month: 15% off
Annual contract: 20% off

Example: If your standard shoot is $300, offer: $270/shoot at 5/month, $255/shoot at 10/month

Phase 4: Legal & Business Setup (Week 4)

Business Structure

Sole Proprietorship (Simplest):

No formal paperwork
Your name = business name (or DBA)
Personal liability exposure
Best for: Testing the waters

LLC (Recommended):

Limits personal liability
More professional
Easier to scale
Cost: $50-500 to form

How to Form LLC:

Check name availability (your state's secretary of state website)
File Articles of Organization
Create Operating Agreement
Get EIN from IRS (free, online)
Open business bank account

Use Services: LegalZoom ($79+fees), Northwest Registered Agent ($39+fees), or do it yourself via your state website

Contracts & Liability

Why You Need Contracts:

Protect against scope creep
Define usage rights for photos
Limit liability
Professional credibility

Essential Contract Terms:

Scope of work: What's included (number of photos, delivery time)
Payment terms: Due date, late fees, cancellation policy
Usage rights: Who can use photos and how
Liability limits: You're not responsible for property damage during shoot
Weather/Access clauses: Reschedule rights if property isn't ready

Get Contract Templates:

Law Depot: $20-30
Rocket Lawyer: $40/month (includes legal consultations)
Hire attorney for custom contract: $300-800 (best long-term investment)

Insurance Requirements

General Liability Insurance:

Covers property damage (e.g., you knock over a vase)
Covers bodily injury (e.g., client trips on your tripod)
Required by most brokerages
Cost: $400-800/year
Providers: Hiscox, State Farm, NEXT Insurance

Equipment Insurance:

Covers theft, damage, loss of camera gear
Cost: $200-400/year for $5K-10K in gear
Often included in homeowners/renters (check policy)

Professional Liability (E&O):

Covers claims of negligence (e.g., missed a shoot, late delivery)
Cost: $300-600/year
Often bundled with general liability

Total Annual Insurance: $900-1,800

Tax Considerations

Quarterly Estimated Taxes:

Self-employment tax: 15.3% (Social Security + Medicare)
Federal income tax: 10-37% (based on income)
State income tax: Varies by state
Pay quarterly to avoid penalties

Deductible Expenses:

Camera gear and equipment
Software subscriptions
Mileage (67¢/mile in 2025)
Home office (if qualifying)
Insurance
Education and training
Marketing and advertising
Contract labor

Accounting Systems:

QuickBooks Self-Employed: $15/month (easiest)
Wave: Free (good for starting out)
Hire a bookkeeper: $100-300/month (worth it at $5K+/month revenue)

CPA for Taxes: $300-800/year (highly recommended)

Phase 5: Client Acquisition (Week 5+)

Your First 10 Clients

Strategy 1: Direct Outreach to New Agents

New agents need photos but have small budgets. Perfect for your first clients.

How to Find New Agents:

Local MLS new member lists
Brokerage "Meet Our Team" pages
Real estate Facebook groups ("Just got licensed!")

Outreach Template:

Subject: Congrats on Your License! Photo Offer

Hi [Name],

Saw you recently joined [Brokerage]—congrats!

I'm [Your Name], a real estate photographer in [City]. I specialize in helping new agents compete with great listing photos.

Special offer for new agents: First 3 shoots at 50% off ($150 instead of $300). After that, volume pricing at $270/shoot.

I deliver 30-40 edited photos in 24 hours. Here's my portfolio: [link]

Would love to help your first few listings stand out. Coffee this week?

[Your Name]
[Phone]

Goal: 5-10 new agents in your first month

Strategy 2: Partner with Discount Brokerages

Discount brokerages (eXp, Redfin, Clever) often don't include photography. Agents pay out-of-pocket.

Outreach Approach:

Contact broker/manager
Offer preferred vendor rates
Ask to be added to agent resource list

Strategy 3: Airbnb & VRBO Hosts

Vacation rentals need photos 2-3x more often than traditional real estate.

Where to Find:

Search Airbnb listings with poor photos
VRBO host forums
Local vacation rental management companies

Pitch: "Your listing could earn $5K-10K more per year with professional photos. Here's my portfolio..."

Strategy 4: Builders & Property Managers

Consistent repeat business once established.

Approach:

Small local builders (3-10 homes/year)
Property management companies (need photos when tenants move out)
Offer monthly retainers after first shoot

Scaling to 20+ Clients/Month

Strategy 5: Google My Business + Local SEO

Setup (1-2 hours):

Create Google Business Profile (free)
Add service area, hours, photos
Get 10-15 initial reviews (friends, family, early clients)

Optimization:

Post weekly updates
Respond to all reviews
Add photos regularly
Use keywords: "real estate photographer [city]"

Result: Top 3 Google search result = 5-10 organic inquiries/month

Strategy 6: Instagram + Facebook

Content Strategy:

Post 3-4 times/week
Before/after shots
Behind-the-scenes
Agent testimonials
"Just shot this beautiful [property type] in [neighborhood]"

Hashtags: #RealEstatePhotography #[YourCity]RealEstate #RealEstatePhotographer

Engagement:

Follow local agents
Comment on their listings
DM compliments on their properties (relationship building)

Result: 2-5 inquiries/month after 3-6 months

Strategy 7: Agent Networking Events

Where to Find Events:

Local realtor association meetings
Chamber of commerce events
Brokerage open houses
Real estate "happy hours" (search Facebook Events)

What to Bring:

Business cards
Portfolio on iPad/tablet
Elevator pitch ready

Pitch Template: "I'm a real estate photographer specializing in making your listings look magazine-ready. I deliver 30-40 edited photos in 24 hours. Agents I work with see 30-50% more showing requests. Can I shoot your next listing?"

Strategy 8: Testimonials & Referrals

After Every Shoot:

Ask for review: "If you're happy with the photos, would you mind leaving a Google review?"
Ask for referral: "Do you know 2-3 other agents who might need photography?"
Offer referral incentive: $25-50 off their next shoot for each referral who books

Referral Rate: Happy clients refer 1-3 other agents on average

Marketing Budget

Month 1-3 (Launching):

Google Ads: $300-500/month (optional, for faster traction)
Business cards: $50
Website: $15-30/month
Total: $365-580/month

Month 4+ (Established):

Mostly organic (Google My Business, Instagram, referrals)
Budget: $50-100/month for occasional paid ads or promotions

ROI: 1 new client pays for 2-3 months of marketing

Phase 6: Operations & Delivery (Ongoing)

Shoot Day Workflow

Pre-Shoot (Day Before):

Confirm appointment with agent
Check weather (for exterior shots)
Charge all batteries
Format memory cards
Pack and checklist gear

On-Site (45-90 minutes):

Walk through with agent (5-10 min)
Shoot exterior (10-15 min)
Shoot interior room-by-room (30-60 min)
Shoot backyard/outdoor spaces (5-10 min)
Review shots before leaving (5 min)

Post-Shoot:

Import and backup photos immediately
Begin editing same day or next morning

Editing Workflow

Time Investment: 1-2 hours per shoot initially, 30-45 minutes once efficient

Steps:

Import & Cull: Remove bad shots, keep 30-40 best
Batch Adjustments: Apply preset to all (exposure, white balance, lens correction)
Individual Tweaks: Adjust each photo (straighten, crop, spot removal)
Specialized Edits:
- HDR blending (if shot bracketed)
- Window masking (brighten windows separately)
- Sky replacement (if needed)
Export: JPEG, sRGB, 4000-5000px on long edge, quality 90%

Editing Presets: Create and save presets for:

Bright, airy interiors
Exterior sunny day
Exterior overcast
Twilight

Saves 30-50% editing time.

Delivery & Client Communication

Delivery Timeline: 24-48 hours standard, same-day for +$50-100

Delivery Method:

Cloud gallery (Pixieset, Dropbox, PhotoShelter)
Downloadable ZIP file
Organized by room type

Follow-Up:

Email delivery notification
"Let me know if you need anything adjusted"
Request Google review
Ask about next listing

Time Management at Scale

Maximum Shoots Per Day: 2-3 (depending on property size and distance)

Weekly Capacity:

3 shoots/week = part-time (12/month)
5 shoots/week = full-time (20/month)
10+ shoots/week = need assistant or outsource editing

When to Hire Help:

Editing Assistant: $15-25/hour or $20-40/shoot
Hire when doing 20+ shoots/month
Frees you to shoot more
Second Shooter: Trainee who assists on large properties
Hire when booking luxury homes regularly

Phase 7: Growth & Scaling (Month 6-12)

Expanding Service Offerings

When to Add Services:

After 50+ shoots with core offering
When 3+ clients ask for the same thing
When you have cash to invest in new equipment

Service #1: Aerial/Drone Photography

Investment:

Drone: $500-1,500 (DJI Mini 4 Pro or Air 3)
FAA Part 107 license: $175 test fee + $200-400 training

Pricing: +$100-200 per shoot

ROI: Pays for itself in 5-10 shoots

Service #2: Video Tours

Investment:

Stabilizer/gimbal: $100-400
Video editing software: $20/month
Learning curve: 2-4 weeks

Pricing: +$200-400 per shoot

ROI: Pays for itself in 2-4 shoots

Service #3: Virtual Staging

Investment:

Software: $25-50 per image (outsource) or $50/month (DIY tools)
Zero equipment cost

Pricing: $30-75 per room

Profit Margin: 50-70%

Service #4: 3D Virtual Tours

Investment:

Matterport camera: $300/month rental or $3,000-5,000 to buy
Subscription: $70-400/month

Pricing: $150-400 per tour

Best for: High-volume photographers or specialty in luxury/commercial

Raising Your Rates

When to Increase:

Every 20-30 shoots for first 100 clients
Every 6 months thereafter
When booked 2+ weeks in advance
When market rate research shows you're underpriced

How Much:

10-15% increase per adjustment
Example: $250 → $275 → $300 → $350

How to Announce:

Email existing clients 30 days in advance
Honor old rates for bookings made before increase
Offer volume discounts to offset

Script: "Starting [date], my rates are increasing to $300/shoot to reflect demand and continued quality. Existing clients: book at current $275 rate through [date]. Volume discounts still available."

Result: 5-10% client loss, 25-30% revenue increase

Building Systems

Automation Tools:

Scheduling: Calendly (free-$10/month) for automated booking
Invoicing: Studio Ninja, 17hats, or QuickBooks for auto-invoices
Contracts: Automatically send with booking confirmation
Reminders: Auto-email 24-hour shoot reminders

Templates:

Inquiry response email
Booking confirmation email
Pre-shoot preparation email (what agent should do before you arrive)
Delivery email
Review request email

Goal: Reduce admin time from 10 hours/week to 2 hours/week

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Starting Without Insurance

The Mistake: "I'll get insurance once I'm established"

Why It Fails: One accident (broken window, damaged flooring) costs more than 5 years of insurance

The Fix: Get insured before first paying client, no exceptions

2. Underpricing Severely

The Mistake: Charging $50-100/shoot to "be competitive"

Why It Fails: Can't cover costs, attracts wrong clients, unsustainable

The Fix: Start at 70-80% of market rate minimum

3. Poor Communication

The Mistake: Agents have to chase you for updates, delivery times unclear

Why It Fails: Agents book photographers they can rely on

The Fix: Respond within 2 hours, automate status updates, deliver when promised

4. Inconsistent Quality

The Mistake: Some shoots look great, others look amateur

Why It Fails: Agents need consistent results every time

The Fix: Use presets, checklists, practice until consistent

5. Not Asking for Reviews/Referrals

The Mistake: Delivering photos and saying nothing else

Why It Fails: Miss easiest source of new clients

The Fix: Ask every satisfied client for review + 2 referrals

6. Over-Investing in Gear Too Soon

The Mistake: $10K in gear before first client

Why It Fails: Gear doesn't book clients; portfolio and relationships do

The Fix: Start with $2K kit, upgrade as revenue justifies

7. Ignoring the Business Side

The Mistake: Great photographer, no business systems

Why It Fails: Can't scale, miss tax deductions, legal liability

The Fix: Spend 20% of time on business (marketing, admin, financials)

Real Success Stories

Case Study 1: Part-Time to Full-Time in 8 Months

Photographer: Jessica Lin, Seattle Starting Point: Hobbyist photographer, full-time marketing job Investment: $2,500 in gear + $500 business setup

Timeline:

Month 1-2: Built portfolio (10 free shoots)
Month 3: First 5 paying clients ($200/shoot)
Month 4-5: Landed 2 property management clients (8 shoots/month combined)
Month 6: Added drone ($1,200 investment), raised rates to $300
Month 8: Quit day job, 25 shoots/month
Month 12: $9,500/month revenue

Key Success Factors:

Focused on property managers for consistent volume
Excellent communication and fast delivery (24 hours)
Invested in quality immediately after cashflow positive

Case Study 2: Side Hustle Generating $3K/Month

Photographer: Carlos Rivera, Austin Starting Point: Weekend shooter, full-time teacher Investment: $1,800 (owned camera already, bought wide lens + flash)

Strategy:

Shoots only Saturdays (4-5 shoots/month)
Charges $600/shoot (includes drone + video)
Focuses on luxury market (fewer shoots, higher rates)
Edits Sunday mornings

Result: $2,400-3,000/month on 8-12 hours/week

Key Success Factors:

High-ticket offering targeting luxury segment
Time-efficient workflow (batch shoots on same day)
Used teaching summers to build initial client base

Case Study 3: Scaling to Team Business

Photographer: Mark Stevens, Atlanta Starting Point: Solo real estate photographer Growth: 3 years to 4-person team

Timeline:

Year 1: Solo, 80 shoots/month, $18K/month revenue
Year 2: Hired editor ($3K/month), scaled to 120 shoots/month
Year 3: Hired second shooter ($4K/month), 180 shoots/month
Year 3 (current): 4-person team, $55K/month revenue, $22K/month profit

Key Success Factors:

Hired help before capacity maxed out
Standardized processes (shot lists, editing presets)
Built relationships with large brokerages (Keller Williams, Compass)

Your 90-Day Launch Plan

Month 1: Foundation

Week 1:

Purchase gear ($1,500-2,500)
Form LLC
Get insurance quotes

Week 2:

Build portfolio (5-10 shoots)
Study editing (5 hours of tutorials)
Practice daily

Week 3:

Complete portfolio (15-20 final images)
Build website
Create social media accounts

Week 4:

Finalize insurance
Set up contracts/invoicing systems
Get business cards
Set pricing

Month 2: Launch

Week 5-6:

Outreach to 30-50 agents (10-15 new agents, rest established)
Post daily on Instagram/Facebook
Set up Google My Business

Week 7-8:

Book and shoot first 5-10 clients
Request reviews from each
Refine workflow based on feedback

Goal: 5-10 paying clients by end of Month 2

Month 3: Growth

Week 9-10:

Aim for 15-20 total shoots this month
Continue outreach + rely on referrals
Start Google Ads (optional)

Week 11-12:

Evaluate pricing (raise if booked solid)
Analyze which marketing channels work best
Plan add-on services (drone? video?)

Goal: 15-20 shoots/month, consistent bookings

Beyond 90 Days: Long-Term Success

Months 4-6:

Consistent 20-25 shoots/month
Add one new service (drone or video)
Raise rates 10-15%
Build strategic partnerships (stagers, lenders)

Months 7-12:

30-40 shoots/month
Consider hiring editor or assistant
Develop referral program
Expand to commercial real estate (optional)

Year 2+:

Scale to team if desired
Premium pricing for luxury market
Consistent $10K-20K+/month revenue
Systems run business, you focus on growth and client relationships

Conclusion

Starting a real estate photography business in 2025 is one of the fastest paths to a profitable creative business. The market is strong, the barrier to entry is manageable, and the income potential is substantial.

Your action items this week:

Purchase starter camera kit (or assess what you have)
Build practice portfolio (5-10 shoots)
Form LLC and get insurance
Set up website and social media
Reach out to first 10 agents

Within 90 days, you can have a business generating $2K-5K per month. Within a year, $5K-15K per month is realistic with consistent effort.

The photographers succeeding aren't those with the best gear—they're the ones who deliver consistent quality, communicate professionally, and market relentlessly.

Start today. Your first client is waiting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a photography degree to start?

No. Real estate photography values results over credentials. A strong portfolio and professionalism matter more than formal education.

Can I do this with a crop-sensor camera?

Yes, especially starting out. Many successful photographers started with Canon Rebel or Nikon D3500. Upgrade to full-frame after 50+ shoots.

How do I find my first 10 clients?

Focus on new agents (less competition, more open to new photographers), Airbnb hosts (high volume needs), and direct outreach with 50% off introductory rates.

What if I live in a small town?

Smaller markets have less competition. You may charge less per shoot ($150-250) but can become the go-to photographer faster. Consider servicing 2-3 nearby towns.

Should I specialize or offer everything (drone, video, 3D)?

Start with photography only. Add services after 50 shoots once you have consistent cashflow and client base.

How do I compete with cheap photographers charging $75/shoot?

Don't compete on price. Compete on quality, speed, and professionalism. Target agents who value these (mid-level and luxury markets). The $75 photographers aren't your competition—they're attracting different clients.

How long until I can quit my day job?

Realistically, 6-12 months to build consistent $4K-6K/month revenue (enough to consider full-time). Keep day job while building unless you have significant savings cushion.

Last updated: October 2025

About the author: Kevin Mitchell is a professional real estate photographer with a six-figure business and photography coach who has trained 200+ photographers to launch successful real estate photography businesses. His YouTube channel "RealEstate Photo Biz" has 67K subscribers. He's shot over 5,000 properties across 8 years and now focuses on coaching and scaling his team-based business.