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Real estate photography services range from basic still photography to comprehensive multimedia packages. Understanding service options helps clients choose appropriate visual marketing for their property and budget. Most photographers offer multiple services and package combinations.

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Still Photography

Core photography service for listings:What’s included:
  • 20-40 high-resolution photos (varies by package and property size)
  • Interior shots of all main rooms
  • Exterior front and back views
  • Key features and details
  • Professional editing and color correction
  • Digital delivery (download link or gallery)
Typical approach:
  • Wide-angle lens to show full rooms
  • Multiple angles of important spaces
  • HDR or exposure blending for balanced lighting
  • Vertical and horizontal orientations as appropriate
Photos taken during golden hour or after sunset:What makes it special:
  • Warm, inviting exterior lighting
  • Interior lights visible through windows
  • Pool and landscape lighting highlighted
  • Sky with color and drama
  • Distinguished, upscale appearance
Best for:
  • Homes with attractive exterior lighting
  • Properties with pools or outdoor features
  • Luxury listings
  • Homes with appealing evening ambiance
Typically offered as add-on to standard photography package.
Close-up photography of specific elements:
  • Architectural details
  • High-end finishes and materials
  • Appliances and fixtures
  • Custom features
  • Craftsmanship
Highlights quality and upgrades. Often included in standard packages or available as add-on.

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Video Services

Guided video tour of property:What’s included:
  • Smooth, professionally shot footage
  • Logical flow through property
  • 1-3 minute edited video
  • Background music
  • Transitions between scenes
  • Text overlays (optional)
  • Optimized for social media and websites
Filming approach:
  • Gimbal-stabilized camera for smooth motion
  • Thoughtful pacing and timing
  • Highlighting key selling features
  • Showing flow and layout
Elevated video production:
  • Higher production value
  • Multiple camera angles and shots
  • Drone footage integration
  • Professional color grading
  • Music and sound design
  • Lifestyle elements or storytelling
  • 2-5 minute feature presentation
Used for luxury properties or significant marketing campaigns.
Short video of listing agent:
  • Welcome and property introduction
  • Key features highlighted
  • Call to action
  • 30-60 seconds typically
Adds personal connection and agent branding.
Short-form video for social platforms:
  • Instagram Reels or Stories
  • TikTok format
  • Facebook video posts
  • 15-60 seconds
  • Vertical format optimization
  • Trending music or styles
Designed for maximum engagement on social media.

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Drone Services

Still photos from elevated perspectives:What’s captured:
  • Bird’s-eye view of property
  • Roof condition visible
  • Lot size and boundaries
  • Neighborhood context
  • Proximity to amenities
  • Landscaping and outdoor spaces
Best for:
  • Large lots or acreage
  • Waterfront properties
  • Homes with extensive grounds
  • Properties with desirable locations
  • Unique architectural elements best seen from above
Drone video footage:
  • Smooth flyover or reveal shots
  • Orbiting property views
  • Ascending or descending shots
  • Neighborhood context
  • Integrated into property video
Adds cinematic quality to property marketing.

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Virtual Tours

Immersive 3D property experience:What’s provided:
  • 3D walkthrough of entire property
  • Room-to-room navigation
  • Dollhouse view showing full layout
  • Floor plan view
  • Measurement tools
  • Tag features and information
  • Shareable link and embed code
Technology:
  • Matterport or similar 3D camera system
  • Multiple scans throughout property
  • Software processes into 3D model
  • Hosted on platform
Best for:
  • Out-of-area or international buyers
  • High-end properties
  • Vacant properties
  • Investment properties
  • Providing thorough remote viewing
Interactive panoramic photos:
  • Full 360-degree view of each room
  • Click to navigate between rooms
  • Less expensive than 3D tours
  • Faster to create
  • Interactive but not full 3D
Middle ground between static photos and full 3D tours.
Common platforms and technologies:
  • Matterport (most popular for 3D)
  • iGuide
  • Zillow 3D Home
  • CloudPano
  • Ricoh Theta (360-degree)
Platform choice affects features, quality, and hosting.

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Specialty Services

Digitally adding furniture to empty rooms:
  • Furniture digitally inserted into photos
  • Various style options
  • Shows potential of empty spaces
  • More affordable than physical staging
  • Must be disclosed in listings
See Staging section for detailed information.
2D layout drawings:Types:
  • Basic black and white layouts
  • Color-coded room designations
  • Dimensioned plans with measurements
  • 3D rendered floor plans
Creation methods:
  • Measured during photo shoot
  • Created from architectural plans
  • Generated from 3D tour data
Helps buyers understand layout and flow.
Post-processing services:
  • Sky replacement
  • Grass greening
  • Clutter removal
  • Virtual renovations
  • Object removal
  • Day-to-dusk conversion
  • Color correction
Should enhance, not misrepresent property.
Property marketing creation:
  • Property brochures
  • Feature sheets
  • Postcards and flyers
  • Social media graphics
  • Email headers
  • Property websites
Photographers may offer design services or partner with designers.

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Package Options

Entry-level photography:
  • 15-25 photos
  • Interior and exterior coverage
  • Basic editing
  • Standard turnaround
Suitable for smaller homes, lower price points, or budget constraints.
Most common for typical listings:
  • 25-40 photos
  • Comprehensive interior and exterior coverage
  • Professional editing
  • May include twilight shots
  • Faster turnaround
Appropriate for most residential sales.
Comprehensive visual marketing:
  • 40+ photos
  • Video walkthrough
  • Drone photography or video
  • Twilight photography
  • Virtual tour
  • Rush processing
  • Marketing materials
Used for higher-end properties or competitive markets.
Build custom package:
  • Select specific services needed
  • Add-ons to basic package
  • Pay for only what’s required
Allows flexibility for unique needs or budgets.

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Choosing Services

Match services to property characteristics:Small condo: Basic photography may suffice Single-family home: Standard package with exterior and interior Large estate: Premium package with drone and video Vacant property: Consider virtual staging Unique features: Video to show flow and character Acreage: Drone photography essential
Higher price points typically warrant more comprehensive visual marketing:
  • Buyers expect professional presentation
  • Competition may have extensive marketing
  • Investment justifiable relative to sale price
  • Out-of-town buyers may require virtual tours
Align with overall marketing approach:
  • Social media focus: Video and short-form content
  • Out-of-area buyers: Virtual tour essential
  • Luxury positioning: Premium photography and video
  • Quick sale goal: Comprehensive visual marketing

Next: The Shoot Process

What happens from scheduling through delivery

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