Real estate photography pricing and charges
Real estate photography pricing and charges
$150 – $300 average cost for 25-50 photos
$300 – $900 average cost for 25-50 photos & video
Real estate photography pricing
Real estate photography pricing ranges from $150 to $300 on average for 25 to 50 photos, or $300 to $900 for a photos and video package.
Photographers charge $200 to $300 for a twilight photo shoot to create flattering exterior property images at dusk.
Aerial drone photos costs $100 to $300.
| Package | Average cost | Description / includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard photography | $150 – $300 |
|
| Luxury photography | $300 – $600 |
|
| Standard photography & video | $300 – $900 |
|
| Twilight photography | $200 – $300 |
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| Standard & twilight photography | $250 – $550 |
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| Aerial drone photography | $100 – $300 |
|
| 2D floor plan | $100 – $275 |
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| 3D virtual tour | $100 – $360 |
|
Real estate photography charges by type
A photographer charges by the package type, property square footage, the number of photos, property size plus a per image fee, or by the hour.
Standard real estate photography cost
Standard real estate photography costs $150 to $300 for the average property 1,500 to 3,500 square feet.
Photographing a home takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, plus 30 minutes to several hours for post-production editing.
| House square footage | Average cost* | Minutes of shooting | Number of photos |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1,200 | $90 – $200 | 30 – 60 | 10 – 15 |
| 1,201 – 1,500 | $100 – $250 | 60 – 90 | 15 – 25 |
| 1,501 – 2,500 | $150 – $270 | 90 – 120 | 25 – 35 |
| 2,501 – 3,500 | $200 – $300 | 120 – 150 | 35 – 50 |
| 3,500 – 5,000+ | $250 – $500+ | 150 – 180+ | 45 – 55+ |
*Includes photo shoot and initial editing.
Luxury real estate photography pricing
Luxury real estate photography pricing is $300 to $600 for photos alone. A premium multi-service package costs $1,700 to $1,400 for photos, video, a virtual tour, floor plan, and drone footage.
Most luxury packages also include virtual staging, twilight, and high-quality, artistic editing.
Twilight real estate photo prices
Real estate twilight photos cost $200 to $300 per shoot on average, producing 2 to 15+ images.
Twilight photography involves capturing exterior property images at dusk when the lighting is ideal for producing attractive exterior shots.
Many photographers now offer virtual twilight service for $20 to $40 per image. The photographer uses editing software to create a twilight photo from a regular daytime shot.
Real estate photography and video pricing
Real estate videography costs $250 to $600 on average for a standalone walkthrough video, or $300 to $900 for a photo and video package. The price typically includes shooting, editing, and music overlay. Real estate videography gives potential buyers a better feel for the property and layout than still photos.
| Package | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Short highlight reel | $150 – $400 |
| Video walkthrough | $250 – $600 |
| Aerial drone video | $200 – $450 |
| Video walkthrough & photography | $300 – $900 |
2D & 3D real estate photography prices
A 3D real estate virtual tour costs $100 to $360 on average, depending on the home size, layout, and virtual tour platform.
A virtual tour uses 360° panoramic images combined to create an interactive virtual walkthrough experience, giving potential buyers the feeling of being on the property.
Matterport 3D showcase tours are the most expensive but provide the most immersive and interactive experience.
Zillow 3D Home tours are the cheapest option and boost the listing's search result ranking on the Zillow website.
A 2D floorplan alone costs $100 to $275 on average. Many 3D tours include a 2D floorplan option. 2D floorplans provide a top-down view of each floor and typically include room measurements.
Aerial drone real estate photography pricing
Real estate drone photography pricing is $100 to $300 on average. Adding aerial drone footage to a standard real estate photography package costs $50 to $100 on average.
Drone photography and videography give buyers a "bird's eye view" perspective of the property's layout, surroundings, and proximity to nearby amenities.
| Package type | Average cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Drone footage add-on | $50 – $100 |
|
| Drone photos only | $100 – $300 |
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| Drone video only | $200 – $450 |
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| Drone photos & video (small) | $250 – $500 |
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| Drone photos & video (large) | $350 – $800 |
|
Real estate photographer costs by property
Apartment photography pricing
Apartment photography pricing is $220 to $500+, depending on the property square footage and number of images needed.
Most packages include a 2D floor plan and images of the interior, exterior, and amenities like a pool, clubhouse, or fitness center. 3D tours, twilight, and aerial shots increase the cost.
Commercial real estate photography pricing
Commercial real estate photography costs $200 to $1,500+, depending on the property type, size, number of photos and add-ons, and the amount of post-production needed.
Commercial real estate includes offices, hotels, restaurants, retail stores, medical facilities, and other non-residential buildings.
| Pricing structure | Average cost |
| Per hour | $200 – $600 |
| Half-day shoot | $600 – $2,000 |
| Full-day shoot | $1,000 – $3,500 |
Professional real estate photos cost factors & add-ons
The following factors affect the cost of professional real estate photos:
Home size & features – Large homes and homes with complex layouts or unique features increase the shooting time and the number of photos needed to best represent the property.
Photographer experience – A new photographer building a portfolio charges less than well-known, highly rated photographer. Still, a higher priced, seasoned photographer has more experience and may produce higher quality images.
Equipment – Photographers using high-end equipment typically charge more but often produce higher quality images.
Driving distance – Most photographers charge a travel fee for projects outside a specified radius. They may charge an additional fee if required to pick up and drop off the house key from a real estate office.
Geographic location – Photographer rates are typically higher in major cities than in smaller, rural towns.
Time of year – Photographers may charge a premium during their busy season or may offer discounts during slow periods. Busy and slow seasons vary by region and climate.
Weather – Photographers may increase travel charges during icy or snowy periods.
Post-production – Real estate photo editing costs $70 to $180 per hour on average for re-edits. Most real estate photography packages include initial photo editing.
Turnaround – Many photographers charge $25 to $50+ for same day or rush service.
Virtual staging – Virtual staging costs $30 to $60 per image and helps potential buyers envision a home's furnishing and décor possibilities. Physical home staging costs $1,500 to $4,000. A staged home often sells faster and for more money.
Property website – Adding a property website costs $30 to $200. Some real estate photography packages include a dedicated property website.
Community photos – Photos of the surrounding area or aerial shots showing a property's proximity to the coast or nearby amenities like parks or trails may add $50 to $100+.
Real estate photos FAQs
How much do real estate photographers make?
Real estate photographers make $40,000 to $60,000+ annually or $20 to $30+ per hour when employed by a company.
Freelance real estate photographers make $150 to $200+ per house on average. Location, home size, client type, and extra services offered affect the income potential.
What does a real estate photographer do?
A real estate photographer takes pictures for realtors and builders to increase property interest and traffic.
Most real estate photography jobs include pre-planning, scouting, staging, capturing interior and exterior images, and post-production editing to produce high-quality, flattering images for real estate listings.
Do real estate agents pay for photography?
Most real estate agents pay for photography as part of their marketing package. Homeowners pay realtors commission to advertise and sell a property.
If a homeowner lists a property "for sale by owner," the homeowner pays for the photography as no real estate agents are involved in the sale.
Discuss real estate photography with your agent in advance. Some realtors take their own property photos and add a fee if the homeowner requests a professional photographer.
Are real estate photos copyrighted?
Photographers own the copyright to their real estate photos unless they sign a document releasing those rights. Most real estate photography contracts include copyright terms detailing the allowed image usage platforms and timeframe.
Some real estate photography contracts also include a property release clause for homeowners to authorize the photographer's future use of the photos in a portfolio or publication.
How do I prepare my house for real estate photos?
Follow these steps to prepare your house for real estate photos:
Clean the kitchen sink and appliances.
Declutter and clean all countertops and flat surfaces.
Store draining racks and small appliances.
Remove refrigerator magnets.
Clean the bathroom sink, toilet, shower, and countertop.
Store bathroom items, such as toothbrushes, razors, shampoo bottles, and soap under the sink.
Remove floor mats, runners, and unnecessary furniture and décor. Minimize visible personal items.
Vacuum carpets and clean floors.
Clean mirrors and windows. Dust computers and TV screens.
Store remotes, chargers, and games. Hide cords and cables.
Clear tables and position chairs neatly.
Make beds. Use matching bed linens and decorative pillows where possible.
Store all clothing and shoes.
Remove all pet-related items and odor.
Confirm all interior and exterior lighting works.
Clean up the front and back yard. Clean and straighten outdoor furniture. Store toys, bikes, tools, equipment, and hoses.
Sweep walkways, porches, and patios.
Park cars away from the home or in the garage.
Why hire a professional photographer for real estate?
Hiring a professional real estate photographer increases property listing traffic, often selling it faster and for more money.
Pro photographers know what lighting, angles, and camera settings create the best shots. Most pros offer features like aerial shots, virtual tours, and staging to make a listing stand out.
How to save money on real estate photography
To save money on real estate photography:
Compare photographers & options – Get pricing details and package options from multiple photographers. Ask for discounts when purchasing multiple services, such as still photos, a video walkthrough, 3D virtual tour, and floor plan.
Hire in the off season – Photographers may charge reduced rates during slow periods. Winter is the slowest time of year for real estate photographers in most regions.
Inquire about discounts – Photographers may offer deals or promotions not listed on their website.
Stage the house – Cleaning and preparing the home before the photographer arrives saves time and money if the photographer charges an hourly rate.
Hire a realtor who covers the cost – Many real estate agents pay for the photography and factor this into their commission rate.
Finding and hiring a real estate photographer
Before hiring a real estate photographer, be sure to:
Ask friends, family, or coworkers for referrals.
Check their reviews on Fash and Google.
Choose a pro who specializes in real estate photography.
Do a walkthrough with the photographer so he or she knows your style and the features you want to highlight.
Get a detailed contract in writing showing everything included in the package, copyright terms, and cancellation and refund policies.
Avoid going with the lowest price, as the photographer may lack the necessary experience to provide high quality real estate photos.
Questions to ask
Do you specialize in real estate photography?
What is your service area?
Do you have a portfolio of past projects?
How quickly can you schedule the shoot?
How long will the photo shoot take?
How many photos will it take to show my property and its features?
What is your turnaround time?
What equipment do you use?
What additional options do you offer and what do they cost?
How quickly will I receive the photos?
What do you charge for copyright release?
How long and on what platforms do I have rights to the photos if copyright release is not an option?