Video: How to make money with real estate photography in 202621446
Pages:
1
 Owner,Managing Editor and Publisher of WGAN Forum and WGAN-TV Podcast Fairfield, California |
TomSparks private msg quote post Address this user | |
| Video: How to Make Money with Real Estate Photography in 2026 | 22 January 26 From Agent Casey G's youtube channel. @janisspogis @mikusopelts @andrewcongleton @amy Summary: How to Build a Six-Figure Real Estate Photography Business with Photos, Virtual Tours, Drone, Floor Plans, and Video At 6:05 Casey talks about his use of Giraffe360. Use the WGAN link to receive 10% off a pro camera subscription. This video explains how to build a scalable, six-figure real estate photography business using simple, reliable gear and a repeatable shooting workflow. The key takeaway is that most revenue comes from add-on services (virtual tours, floor plans, drone, and video) rather than real estate photos alone. This approach helps a real estate media company stand out, increase average order value, and win more listings for agents and brokers in competitive local markets. Who This Workflow Helps (SEO + Local Market Friendly) ► Real estate photographers serving local markets (city, county, metro areas) ► Real estate agents, brokers, and teams who need listing-ready marketing media ► Matterport Service Providers (MSPs) and real estate media companies adding upsells ► Photographers targeting luxury listings, new construction, and high-volume agent clients Core Revenue Insight: Add-Ons Drive Profit ► The presenter emphasizes that real estate photography packages become significantly more profitable with add-ons ► Add-ons also improve client retention because agents prefer one vendor for photos + tours + drone + floor plans + video Camera and Equipment Setup for Professional Real Estate Photography Camera Body and Lens ► Uses a Canon 90D (APS-C crop sensor), proving full-frame is not required for sharp, professional listing photos ► Uses a Rokinon 10mm manual lens (wide interior coverage; effectively ~16mm full-frame equivalent due to crop factor) Tripod Strategy (Consistent Perspective = More Professional Results) ► Shoots primarily on a tripod at consistent heights ► Exterior height: around 72 inches for clean curb appeal angles ► Interior height: around 36 inches (kitchen counter height) for realistic room proportions Camera Settings (Simple, Repeatable, Fast) ► Aperture priority mode ► f/9 aperture for depth of field and sharpness ► ISO typically between 0 and 400 ► Shoots in RAW for flexible editing and consistent final delivery Real Estate Photo Shooting Workflow (Fast + Consistent) Exterior “Curb Appeal” Photo Plan ► Capture multiple angles: corners and center ► Keep the home centered and include important edges (garage, fence lines, landscaping) ► Aim for clean verticals and balanced framing that reads well on MLS and Zillow-style platforms Interior Photo Plan (Walkthrough Order = Better Storytelling) ► Shoot rooms in the order a buyer would walk through the home ► Use corner shots to show depth and room layout ► Prioritize “money shots” for the listing: kitchen, living room, primary suite, backyard/patio Bracketing for Balanced Light (Agent-Friendly Results) ► Bracket every key shot (3 exposures: normal, over, under) ► Blend in post to reduce window blowouts and avoid dark interiors ► Delivers “what the eye sees” quality, especially in bright kitchens and living spaces Luxury Listing Details (High-End Add Value Shots) ► Feature shots: chandeliers, fireplaces, kitchen islands, cabinetry, premium finishes ► Kitchen strategy: four corners of the island + straight-on compositions + detail close-ups ► Small kitchen strategy: focus on L-shaped compositions to reduce wide-angle distortion ► Adjust height near cabinets so you don’t show cabinet undersides in tight compositions High-Profit Add-On Services for Real Estate Photography Businesses Virtual Tours (Major Upsell for Agents and Sellers) ► Uses a Giraffe 360 camera for 360° virtual tours ► Designed to be simple: Bluetooth-connected tripod + guided scanning steps ► Scans interior and exterior spaces for full property coverage ► Included in premium packages and used as an upsell to increase booking value ► Can also output additional media (fly-throughs, orbit-style content) from scan data Floor Plans (High Value, Low Effort Add-On) ► Floor plans improve listing clarity and buyer confidence ► Generated automatically via Giraffe 360 in 2D and 3D ► Includes a unique sun path feature (useful for lifestyle marketing and lighting context) ► Adds perceived value with minimal extra time on-site Drone Photography + Drone Video (Local Market Differentiator) ► Strong differentiator for real estate photographers in competitive metro areas ► Need proper drone licensing (Part 107 in the U.S.) ► Use the rule of thirds for cleaner aerial compositions ► Twilight drone shots (sunset + lights on) are highlighted as a premium, profitable add-on Real Estate Video (Popular Upsell with Low Gear Cost) ► 4K smartphone video at 60fps can be enough for real estate marketing ► Video packages are a frequent upsell (roughly half of clients) ► Editing quality matters; outsourcing is recommended for consistency and speed ► Giraffe 360 can automate some video deliverables to reduce production time Equipment and Settings Overview (Text-Only, Easy to Paste) Canon 90D ► APS-C camera body used long-term ► Benefit: affordable, sharp real estate photos Rokinon 10mm manual lens ► Wide interior coverage (crop sensor equivalent ~16mm) ► Benefit: strong interior framing and room coverage Tripod heights ► Exterior ~72 inches; Interior ~36 inches ► Benefit: natural perspective and consistent results Core photo settings ► Aperture priority, f/9, ISO 0–400, RAW ► Benefit: efficient shooting and flexible editing Exposure bracketing ► 3 exposures (normal, +, -) ► Benefit: balanced interiors and controlled window light Giraffe 360 ► 360 camera + guided workflow ► Benefit: virtual tours, floor plans, and automated media Drone (licensed) ► Aerial photos/video + twilight options ► Benefit: premium upsell and stronger listing marketing Smartphone 4K/60fps ► Real estate video capture option ► Benefit: low cost, high demand add-on Best Practices for Faster, Cleaner Shoots (On-Site Checklist) ► Turn on all interior lights ► Set shades/blinds consistently ► Turn off ceiling fans ► Follow a natural walkthrough flow ► Use rule of thirds for better composition (especially drone shots) ► Avoid wide-angle distortion in small rooms with partial/structured angles ► Adjust height to avoid cabinet underside shots ► Bracket key shots for reliable final images ► Consider outsourcing editing to maintain quality and turnaround speed Conclusion: A Scalable Real Estate Media Business Model This workflow promotes a cost-effective way to grow a profitable real estate photography and real estate media business by combining consistent photo technique with high-margin add-ons like virtual tours, floor plans, drone photography, drone video, and real estate video. The presenter’s core point remains: add-ons are the primary income source, and mastering them helps you differentiate in local markets, raise your average order value, and book more repeat agent clients. |
||
| Post 1 • IP flag post | ||
 WGAN FanCLUB Member Coeur d'Alene, Idaho |
lilnitsch private msg quote post Address this user | |
| So, I am off to a good start for the year. I had 4 of my percentage deals come through. Percentage pays nicely however, I shoot them as many times as necessary until they sell but, they are all or nothing if they don't sell I don't get paid. But, in general I have built my business on a Good, Better, Best model My Basic photography package ~ Zillow 3D home tour plus stills Basic plus walkthrough Video ~ Zillow 3D home tour, walkthrough video, plus stills Full Package ~ Matterport Tour, Enhanced floor plan w/site plan, Zillow 3D home tour, walkthrough video, plus stills Vacant Land ~ 360 tour, aerial video, plus stills I have a couple add-ons like virtual staging and Virtual twilights Gear: Sony a6400 w/sigma 10-18mm, Ricoh Z1 or Theta X, Matterport Pro2, Various DJI Drones  3 Over Due invoices is one of my Builder Clients which only payout 1 a month & invoice cutoff is the 20th ~ I also have a builder that is on a recurring retainer that pays out monthly via a paper check |
||
| Post 2 • IP flag post | ||
Pages:
1