If you are a real estate agent or broker looking for real estate photographers near you, you know how important it is to have a great team to work with. Even if you work on your own, you may still require other professionals to do various tasks for you. Hiring a professional photographer and videographer to promote your properties is so important because most home buyers start their research online. Having high-quality images and videos that display the highlighted features of a home and the property around it will make your listing stand out from the rest of the competition. If your imagery has a “wow” factor, potential buyers won’t be moving on to the next home; they’ll be calling you instead to book a showing. Photography and video play a major role in whether your listing gets a second look, so you want to make sure you hire the right real estate photography team for the job. Here are eight things to look for when hiring a Real Estate Photographer.
1. Pricing/Cost
No one wants to waste their money on poor quality work, so instead of looking for the cheapest photographer possible, look at several online portfolios and compare their prices. As with any service, you get what you pay for, so find a photographer that has a fair price and a well-rounded portfolio. You can also call companies you are interested in to pitch your ideas and explain what you’re looking for. You will get a general idea of how much the photography will cost and whether they understand your creative vision.
2. Experience
Look for a real estate photography company that has years of experience, not just in photography and videography in general, but also with real estate photography. While it may seem as though a great wedding photographer can take real estate photos, it is often not the case. It is better to go with a photography company that specializes in real estate and commercial property photography as they will know how to capture the best photographs for your potential audience. You should visit the prospective photographer’s website and portfolio before you contact them. How does their website look? Do the photography and video examples have the kind of appeal you are looking for? What kind of technology do they use to capture their photographs? The quality of their work says a lot about their experience in the industry.
3. Flexibility of Photos and Videos
Professional real estate photographers are an asset, and even an expectation nowadays. Professionals can put together beautiful videos and photography that show off the best features of your residential or commercial listing so that you can sell it faster. Additionally, photographs and videos are a great visual tool to use for social media marketing. Listings can be shared and advertised on social media channels to draw in more viewers and increase the list of prospective buyers. Professionals are able to shoot multiple homes per day, within a reasonable period of time, so you won’t have to waste any time getting the visual content you need. You can even take marketing to the next level by using night time twilight photography, lifestyle videos, architectural & aerial videos, and even HD walk-through tours.
4. Turnaround Time
When dealing with real estate, time is of the essence, and this is why hiring a professional photographer who is able to edit and deliver content quickly is so important. Within 24 to 48 hours of the shoot, you should be able to receive your photos and videos. The more experienced the professional, the better, and although the prices may be higher, you are saving yourself a lot of time and money with the high-quality images and videos that practically sell the home for you. Consider working with a professional photography company that has multiple photographers and videographers so that no matter how busy they become, they are always able to offer a quick turnaround.
5. Copyright Infringement/Terms of Image Use
Copyright infringement and violation of terms of usage can be a big problem for real estate professionals. Before hiring a company, find out if they have any restrictions on how and when their photographs can be used. You can find this information by visiting the terms of use section on the company’s website. Alternatively, call the photography company directly to ask specific questions.
6. Understanding of the Real Estate Market
A photography company that really understands the real estate market is extremely valuable to you as an agent. A professional photography company should be aware of what is currently going on in the market in your area, and what features home buyers are most interested in. If they can do this, then they will be able to create images and videos that best capture those features, helping your listings stand out from the others and impressing your clients. A professional real estate photographer will know the right angles and lighting for the shoot, and may be equipped with drone technology and permitting to get stunning aerial shots and video.
7. Passion and Commitment
When looking for someone to hire for professional home photography it is important to work with someone who is passionate and committed about the industry. It may not serve you well to work with a photographer who has done a variety of work including wedding photography, newborn photography, landscape photography, etc. Visit the photographer’s website to get an idea of the kind of industries they focus on. Also look to see if the photographer offers any kind of guarantees or commitments. This is a sure sign that the photographer takes his or her job seriously and is committed to provided top-quality photos for clients.
8. Professionalism
The photography you produce for your listings are an extension of you, so it is important to work with a professional photographer and videographer. They should show up on time, conduct themselves professionally around clients, act safely and responsibly, deliver images and video in a timely manner, and be up-to-date with technology. A good photographer should also be able to provide you with suggestions and guidance that will make your property look better. Finding a photography company that understands your needs and is able to communicate effectively will be a great advantage to you and your business.
Hire a Professional Real Estate Photographer in Toronto
If you’re looking for professional real estate photography in Toronto, Ontario, consider OTBx Air. Our real estate photography team provides realtors, property managers and developers with great pictures and video in a timely manner. OTBx Air is passionate about innovative real estate and commercial photography, and we stand committed to safety, innovation, creativity, and contribution. Let OTBx Air bring life to your listing through incredible photography and videography. To learn more about our services or to schedule a session with us, contact us at 1 (877) 268-2924, or support@otbxair.com. Visit us on Twitter as well.
